Skip to main content

Memories of a time past


Tonight while Woodland High School’s Class of 1981 (and 78, 79, 80, and 82) reminisced about our high school days 30 years ago at the Spednic Club, the music of Night Ranger, Foreigner, and Journey transported me back in time. The concert was an anniversary present for my husband. (From the beginning, I knew I would be more excited about it than he was. When he found out the Blind Boys of Alabama were coming to town, those tickets became the more sought after gift. In October, I will let you know about that concert.)
While walking into the concert arena, the sounds of Night Ranger could be heard from the speakers. Singing along, I was soon 18 and riding the loop again. Looking up on stage was like watching a music video on MTV back when MTV showed music videos. There was a reason why many bands in the 80s were called ‘hair bands’.  I looked on stage to see the guitar players hair blowing in the wind….except there was no wind. (It was a sultry 95 degrees.) A fan provided the look that made the show that much more fun. While their sound quality wasn’t the best, the songs were the ones we used to sing back in the day. Seats began to fill up as their set continued. By the time they played Sister Christian, voices in the crowd could be heard singing along.
  
The real treat of the evening was Foreigner. Think of a Foreigner song and they played it the way you listened to it back in the day. I was in Pennsylvania when I listened to Foreigner 4 at least 10 times a day. I had left college; had my first apartment; and was trying hard to figure out who I was.  The music poured through the speakers bridging the gap in time. I danced and sang along with every song they played. While Hot-Blooded was the song I waited for all night long (and it was fantastic!), it was the encore of Jukebox Hero that gets my vote for the best song of the evening. Not only was the band superb, the manga cartoon playing in the background complimented the song nicely.
Unfortunately, after the infusion of music from Foreigner, Journey was a disappointment and it wasn’t because Steve Perry is no longer the lead singer. (It is crazy how a Filipino can sound so American singing and speaking.) I know bands need to promote their new music, but after knowing every song that Foreigner played, I was not ready to listen. I wanted to sing along. Even on the songs I did know and sing along to, did not go as I expected. There is nothing wrong with unexpected – except when it includes long guitar solos on every song. I don’t know whose bright idea it was to include them, but I would have found that portion of the concert much more enjoyable with fewer of them.
Would I recommend the concert? Most definitely! Bring your dancing shoes and dance as if nobody is watching. I did.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

WABDR: Section 1

Section 1  We end at the beginning  Does it feel like this trip will never end? Epic adventures tend to last a bit longer than just an average one. So….on with our tale.  We got our bikes all packed up and continued over White Pass. The first time we went over it, it was a cloudy day. Thus, the visibility of the mountains was not much. I was expecting the same on our return trip to Packwood. Therefore, it took my breath away when I saw the mountain off in the distance for the first time. The beauty was so overwhelming, I teared up.    I continued to watch the mountain until I could see it no more. Soon we were in Packwood. Back where we started. After a quick breakfast at the local coffee shop, we were on our way. I may have taken a few minutes to ride the big bike first… Not too long though, because someone was ready to get moving.  Jennifer had some friends that were camping at Walupt Lake, which is right on the trail for Sectio...
Post a Comment
Read more

An Easter Lesson

I decided that this break I was going to stay home and spend the week doing things I have not done or haven't done in awhile. It all began Thursday night with Ballroom Dancing, which will continue on Monday and Thursday with lessons. Saturday, I bought a couple of new outfits. Today brought both something I hadn't done in awhile and something new. Today, I went to church which was pretty cool in itself. I went with someone I just met the day before. (I am sure that is no surprise to any of you who know me.) We made plans to meet up at church. It was different from any church I had been in before. The chairs were set up "in the round." There was no piano or organ to accompany our singing. People were in and out throughout the 90 minute service. No surprise, the place was packed. The service was your typical protestant service, minus the organ, of course. It had been awhile since my friend had been to church. Many in the congregation flocked to him at the end to gi...
Post a Comment
Read more

WABDR: Section 3

SECTION 3: The Washout “Do you ever just find yourself smiling real big because we are doing this?” I asked Jen. “No, I randomly start laughing when I think of you doing this trip.”  We chuckled about it a bit before taking a quick sidetrip to check out an old working saloon and segregated cemetery in Roslyn Kevin told us about.  There was a bit of asphalt to ride before getting back on the route. Eight miles on the freeway with a little 250cc can be nerve-wracking to say the least. Add 18-wheelers and RVs to the equation, and it is downright daunting. The speed limit was 70. My bike went 55 before it would start shaking.  Before too long, we were at our exit. Back to country roads. Wind in my face, music in my ear, my sister behind me, I was in top of the world. Add the incredible scenery. Joy was pouring out my every pore.  We pulled over to get photos of the bouquet for our eyes. Unfortunately, smell was the sense being accosted. Something s...
2 comments
Read more