If you are a reader of this part of our website you would be aware that I am something of a fan of CCEntertainments ‘Classic Rock’ shows. I recently saw, for the second time, their Storylines’ concert, where various artists presented their versions of 60’s and 70’s ballad material (Dylan, Chapin, Kristofferson etc.) This was an excellent night’s entertainment. There were many great preformances on the night, Nicky Kurta’s Me and Bobby McGee, Simon Meli’s Maggie May,  Jeff Duff’s MacArthur Park, Sam Knock’s Hurricane, but the highlight for me was Steve’s Balbi’s nine minute version of Like a Rolling Stone. CCEntertainment has a knack of bringing together some very talented artists who really do justice to the material they are covering.

This concert was at Notes in Newtown. I must admit that I was not familiar with this venue until this concert, but it is excellent. This is only a small venue, and in many ways it is similar to the Basement, and to be honest I preferred the sound system at Notes. (The last two shows I have seen at The Basement were marred by a  problem in the higher frequencies in their system.)

I missed their ‘Whole Lotta Love’ Zeppelin show this time around, but a quick look at the comments on their Facebook page indicates that it was a pretty spectacular show.

CCEntertainment have just announced the next concert in the series, timed to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the release of the Rolling Stones ‘Sticky Fingers’ album. Guest vocalists are Jack Jones, Simon Meli (always great value), Greg Arar, Evelyn Duprai, Zyke and Jason Walker. Concert Venues are the Evan Theatre in Penrith and The Enmore Theatre Newtown. Further details are available at www.ccent.com.au

Many of you are aware that we have supported the last few CCEntertainment concerts. The next should be a beauty – ‘A Day in the Life’ – a Beatles retrospective of their music from 1967-1970, a period that many believe was their most creative.
The concert is at the Enmore in Newtown on Friday May 28th. It will feature a 16 piece band, and guest vocalists include Jack Jones, Steve Balbi (from Noiseworks), Simon Meli (Ooh La La), Evely Duprai (Paul Mac), Kevin Bennett (The Flood), Anthea White (The Hipstones), Spencer Jones and Miss Min (David Campbell) who will be reworking and reinterpreting some of the best pop/rock music ever written.
Some people I have spoken with have been of the opinion that these are ‘tribute’ concerts. This is not the case, while many of the songs are covered close to the original; others obviously have the creative hand of Joseph Calderazzo imprinted on them. For me a highlight of the concerts I have seen to date has been Charmaine Fords electric solo on keyboards doing a jazzed up improvisation of the Eagles ‘Heartache tonight’. If you were at the concert you will know what I mean.
A couple of years back around 8,000 people saw this concert at Olympic Park. This link will take you to one of their numbers on the night.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N31lyPlxhM&feature=related.

(Added 19-02-10). If you managed to catch the show below I am sure you will agree it was a great night. I must admit that I am not a huge Eagles fan, but the CCE interpretation of their music was first class. The highlight for me was New Zealand keyboard player Charmaine Ford doing a ‘jazzed up’ solo during ‘Heartache Tonight’ – great stuff. The guitar-work by Joseph Calderazzo, Tim Hartwig, Jak Housden and Vistor Rounds on bass was also excellent.

The next CCEntertainment gig is going to be ’A Day in the Life’, a celebration of the music of the Beatles from 1967 to 1970. The concert is Friday 28th May at the Enmore in Newtown, and will feature the vocals of Jack Jones, Steve Balbi (from Noiseworks), Simon Meli (Widowbirds/Ooh La La) Kevin Bennett (The Flood), Evelyn Duprai (Paul Mac), Anthea White (The Hipstones) and Amanda Davis.

Len Wallis Audio is proud to be a sponsor once again for another CCEntertainment production, this time ‘One of These Nights’, a celebration of the music of The Eagles. There are three concerts:
1) Friday 12th of Feb at the Laycock Theatre Gosford
2) Saturday 13th of Feb at the Lyric Theatre, Star City Casino Sydney, and
3) Thursday 18th Feb at the Canberra Theatre, Canberra.

As always CCE have brought together a ton on talent, including vocals by John Paul Young (except for the Friday 12th show in Gosford), Kevin Bennett (The Flood), Simon Meli (Ooh la al ), Steve Balbi (Noiseworks – he is incredibly entertaining on stage), Spencer Jones, Robyn Loau, Louise Anton and Jenny Morris. These are backed by a nine piece band including Joseph Calderazzo, Jak Housden and Tim Hartwig on guitar, Pete Skelton on drums, Victor Rounds on bass and Charmaine Ford on keyboards.

Last year I saw the CCE productions of the music of the Stones at the Basement and Led Zeppelin at the Enmore and both were excellent shows. The Eagles at the Lyric in particular promises to be a great night.

If you would like to get an indication of what you can expect go to http://www.ccent.com.au/ccent.htm and watch the clip of Hotel California recorded at the Sydney Olympic Park last year.