Tim From Wisconsin Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 Wally was certainly nervous leading up to this show, but once on stage, he was his joking, playful self, commandeering the stage with a presence few can match. I concur, and I would have to respectfully disagree with the thought that his initial off-handed remark was intended as a personal jab. Those guys have known each other for 40+ years, and I thought it started the night out with a bit of levity. There is no need to overthink these things. Nobody who attended the entire event will even remember it. We've all taken good natured jabs at our friends.Now, as moderator and occasional tanget police officer - I say let's talk more about the fantastic music we all heard. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LC Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 Wow! Sounds like an awesome show! Sincere thanks to all who described the action. Wish I could have witnessed it all.... I guess I'll just hope some video footage pops up.I especially would love to have seen the Wally and Scott songs from Starting Over. "Party's Over" is my favorite Wally song ever. And Scott's songs (including collaborations) on Starting Over have held up extremely well over the years. I remember blasting "Play On" and "Cry" in my dorm room in college, and they still sound fresh today. (Actually, the entire record does.) Anyway, Scott was a great "find" for Raspberries, and though I've never met him, it sounds like he's a good-natured guy who gets along with everyone. I also would love to have heard the Fotomaker songs "Name of the Game" and "Sweet Lies" (Marvin, I think that's the song you meant when you wrote "Goodbye"). I'm surprised Wally's "Come Back" wasn't on the set list; it's from the same album as the other two — Fotomaker's Vis-a-Vis, an undiscovered power-pop masterpiece, IMHO. I sure hope Wally and Scott got inspired to record some new things... they are indeed a good team. I'm one of those who thought it would have been a nice touch to have Scott participate in some way (at least as a guest on a couple of dates) in the original-lineup reunion of 2004-2009. Well, maybe someday we'll see a full Raspberries reunion of all six members (not sure where Mike McBride is!) along with the Overdubs. It's a long shot (a really, really, really long shot, as in "slim-to-no-chance" long shot), I know, but wouldn't it be nice? Heck, just a repeat of "Wally Bryson & Friends" would be nice.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy-Ann Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 I concur, and I would have to respectfully disagree with the thought that his initial off-handed remark was intended as a personal jab. Those guys have known each other for 40+ years, and I thought it started the night out with a bit of levity. There is no need to overthink these things. Nobody who attended the entire event will even remember it. We've all taken good natured jabs at our friends.Now, as moderator and occasional tanget police officer - I say let's talk more about the fantastic music we all heard. Tim No tangent, no over thinking...just giving my opinion about something that was unnecessary and others found to be funny. That's all. I stand by my thoughts no matter how anyone else would like to justify it. This was the way I viewed it, you viewed it differently. And on that note...I'd like to share the photo of you and me, since I don't have anything more to say about the few songs I heard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 I was told that Rich Spina is a major Raspberries / Eric fan, and it showed - he nailed Eric's keyboard parts AND vocals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 Pretty nice way to spend your birthday weekend, Marv...thanks for the review!I had Raspberries for my birthday in 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulie Mississippi Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 Naturally I didn't get to attend, but it sounds like it was a great night!Regarding Wally's "joke"... it's part of who he is it seems... way back when they did the "Raspberries" event in support of Scott's "Play On" CD; they released a video. On that video, in the "behind the scenes" section, they had a "practice" session. During that, there was a gag where they told Wally that he had missed the photo-shoot and he mock-shouts, "That's it... I'm going back to Ricky..." (And someone throws back... "As if he'd have you...")Of course a year or two later, Eric is calling Wally to perform on "Winter Dreams"... and then we have a full blown reunion a short time later...So... maybe Wally's "jokes" turn out well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnO Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 The funny thing is -I just tossed out the very first crack that Wally made. . . it certainly wasn't the last one of that type he made on Saturday night. . . but Hello! The show was billed as Wally Bryson & Friends, so I expected to see / hear Wally doing what he does best. As Marv stated earlier, he was nervous going on at the start - and he started unaccompanied on his first song. The ABM reference fit the situation to a tee. Clever play on words or childish insult? I guess it depends on how one views Wally. Frankly, having seen more than a few of the Berries Meet & Greet rehearsals/soundchecks, I would have been very disappointed, had Wally not gotten in a slew of irreverent comments! That's just his personality. Childish? Maybe. Funny? If the audience's laughter was any indication, a resounding yes! As Mr. Borack used to say here - but your mileage may vary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iwannabebymyself Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 I wish I could have been there but had somewhere else I had to be. I don't know how Wally's comment was considered a "jab" at Eric. It doesn't sound like he said anything insulting. Maybe that was his way own way of acknowledging Eric. I'm sure that the people at the show who don't read the posts on this site wouldn't have thought anything of it and it was taken differently by people here because of all the things that were posted over the years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wimvriezen Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 Good to see that they did Don't Wanna Say Goodbye & Hands on you! Wish I'd been there.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Wally likes to joke around. When I met him, I realized how he likes to talk. I think that was his way to say, 'Oh well, I'll sing the song myself'. But, I really think that Wally likes to do songs he likes. So, I think it was great for him to play the songs he did. He is a great leader. And I hope he continues to do concerts, in the future. A long time ago, it seemed like Eric wanted to have a good relationship with all the band members. I know he thought highly of Wally, and his musicianship. And he told him that. 'What was this or that song, without Wally? Who could play it like that?.' Not every song that other members wrote could all be played in a concert. So it was a few of the other styles that weren't power-pop that were brought into the concerts. This can be hard to do, if one song is Country, and the rest are Power-Pop and Rock. But, everyone did their best with their own song.As far as I know, Wally is one of the few guitarists who uses no effects when he plays. During the recording years, certain songs were accepted to be recorded. While others weren't. This is usually because a record company wants the most commercial songs to be played on the radio. When they have alot of songs to listen to, they try to put the best ones that they feel will sell. At that time, artists who worked for various record companies didn't always have control over which songs would be accepted. They knew which songs they liked. And the record companies would choose what they wanted to put on the record to sell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bahoodore Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Ah, but see, as a audience member, given (what I have heard of) their history, it didn't seem to me it was a "good natured" poke. I don't think a talented artist needs to be poking another (extremely) talented artist at a public event. I personally can't give anyone credit for throwing uncalled comments out there. The show was a nice success, money was raised, people enjoyed the music...no poking required. Nope... Wendy Wendy Wendy, since you have been around rock musicians for most of your adult life, I find it odd that you don't see the complex, yet simple saying "you tease the ones you love"...You were very connected with the Bay City Rollers, a band with so many issues no? I suspect you have heard it all....and musicians are constantly taking jabs at each other, especially musicians that lived, breathed, ate, drank, did drugs, etc together for years...musicians are fragile people who dish it out as much as they take it....it keeps the relationships alive, rather than die out....the only reason we all were lucky enough to see the Raspberries 30 years after their demise was because they survived the crap between each other, and their sense of humours allowed those relationships to continue somehow even after all the animosity...WE were the recipients of the best of these guys via their music....how they got there was through the same tools we ALL use to keep relationships alive....from love to hate and everything in between ....I was around the boys after one of their shows, and Eric is a very intimidating, extremely intelligent, self-confident (on the verge of arrogance...I should know, I am the same), cynical, imaginative, opinionated, and imposing person....These are all traits ( putting aside the musical genius that he is) that got him where he got, but they are also character traits that most people cannot live with easily (again I should know !)....I saw Wally as a happy-go-lucky, very funny, yet very anti-establishment...Wally lives by very different standards and philosophies than Eric does....there will be teasing...especially from Wally who has a sense of humour. You don't think that John took jabs at Paul, and vice-versa? Puhleez...Eric took jabs at Wally right here on the board a while back that started the whole "he who shall not be mentioned" fiasco. These guys are humans who gotta let loose sometimes...big freaking deal!Bahoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rachan Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Fantastic post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeatleJay Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Sure wish I had been able to attend. Great set list and the chance to see Scott...one hell of a night. I would think at this point anything Wally had to say would be like water off a sitting duck's back to Eric....but to leave after a few songs, and miss this once in a lifetime chance is not something that I being the 'berries fan that I am, can even frikkin' fathom! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnO Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Truth be told, the poor bastard who caught most of the crap from Wally on Saturday was his guitar tech for the night - an African-American gentleman with the unfortunate name of Terry Hatcher......so Wally, of course, mentions early that he thought he was getting the actress (Terri H.) to tune his guitars....and commented - "look how she's changed over the years!....Just not the same...", and similar comments several other times throughout the show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John P Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Back from Cleveland . I wish that those of who didn't make it were there would have Been nice to see you. You know who are. It was a rare occasion to hear some of these live. Another part of me being rewarded for a long Raspberries fan dedication. Hopefully one day I'll get to hear EC sing I can hardly believe your mine and Starting over live. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollies65 Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 I found Wally's "When factories were king, and America was America" bit very funny! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darlene Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 What great posts here! Thanks, Marvin and Tim for the set list and the vivid accounts. It sounds like Wally had a fantastic show, and I'm so glad for him! I wish I could have gone, but I had to play. My thoughts were very much with him, Scott, Billy and the other musicians who played.I have no doubt Wally's sense of humor was on full blast. I think, like many people, he uses humor to defuse situations, especially his own nervousness, and I'm sure he was more than a bit nervous before he went on.Wally has always had that edgy sense of humor, and I never thought he really meant anything by it. I do know he has always respected Eric and Eric always respected him, both personally and vis a vis their musical talents. Musically, they were like different sides of the same coin. I went to many a Raspberries show back in the day, and they were always poking fun at each other and just goofing around in general about everything as well. And they all took it in great humor. They do love each other, deep down, but just because you love someone, it doesn't mean you will see eye to eye or get along with them, especially when it comes to creative differences or artistic personalities. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz were the prime example of people who loved, no, ADORED each other to the end, but couldn't get along. It's difficult enough to get along in a marriage, let alone in a BAND! I would stake my life on the fact that the comment was a humorous play on words, with perhaps a bit of regret mixed in. With Wally, it would never be nastiness or bitterness, but I'm sure he is sad about Raspberries. In fact, I know he is, because, isn't everybody? Sadness, some irony, maybe, but malice, never. Not from Wally.I'm so glad the show went beautifully and that several of the fans here could go. I wish I could have. Thanks for the great accounts!--D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S_O_L Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 good gravy...this thread made my old ass tired... some of you folks suck the fun right out of being a RASPBERRY fan edit..not referring to you darlene...excellent response..im referring to the folks who have to analyze every freakin thing to death Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 Wish I could have been there...sounds like it was GREAT.Eric probably had to skip due to a marathon recording session! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy-Ann Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 Hi Darlene,As always, I look forward to anything that you post and respect your take on things. But I was there, so I have a different take. In my heart of hearts, if at one of his shows, Eric Carmen took a "jab" at any artist that could be misconstrued (if he didn't mean it), I’d question, why? No really, why? And I’d think that much less of the moment and be rather disappointed. Make that very disappointed.But I don’t think he’d do it. I’d been in the music business for YEARS. And I have seen this happen one too many times and it was never "playful." Also, it can bring a downer to the certain audience members depending on how they feel. No matter how said artist “may†have meant it. I was there to see Wally, and very excited about it. I looked forward to it the day I knew I was going. Even picked out a cute outfit. All the fun things a girl does when looking forward to something. And in one comment, very turned off and disappointed. Bummer for me, I guess. But that’s me. And I will not apologize for it nor am I stupid.Perhaps you, Darlene have an insight into something I don’t know. I honestly can’t say where their personal relationship stands, I would never presume to know nor presume to guess. But I do know one thing, when an artist is on stage, it should be about them and what their talent can bring to the crowd, and not about another artist. Also, an artist never knows who is in the audience and what they will take from that show. This (my earlier posts) is what I took from it even though I enjoyed what I did hear. My take, my right. And I standby how I feel.And on that note, I don’t know why the comment was brought up in the first place on Eric Carmen’s board. I wouldn’t have voiced my opinion (nor brought up the subject on my own) if said subject had not been broached.PS: I did comment to Tim how talented Wally is (loved his voice) and how funny he is. Until said statement. Then, not so funny to me. To each his or her own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkpat Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 Wendy: I thought you had said in advance you were leaving to go watch Jim's show? (maybe I misunderstood) Any reviews on that? I haven't seen anyone write anything about it. Gotta say, that had to be a tough choice for fans in Ohio, "do I want to see the best guitar player in the world or the best drummer?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy-Ann Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 Yes. My friend and I then left to see Jim's band They were wonderful! Played tunes from the 60's and 70's. And even "I Only Have Eyes For You" or "Someone To Watch Over Me." I forget which one, but I was singing to it when Tim walked in and then Tim and I did a spin on the dance floor.What can I say. A fun night all around. Too bad for most of the fans that the shows weren't on 2 different nights.Here are two more photos---me and Jim. Then me at Jim's drums. Tim Hilbert took the photo: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim From Wisconsin Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 Wendy: I thought you had said in advance you were leaving to go watch Jim's show? (maybe I misunderstood) Any reviews on that? I haven't seen anyone write anything about it. Gotta say, that had to be a tough choice for fans in Ohio, "do I want to see the best guitar player in the world or the best drummer?" Great to see you back on the board Pat! I ended up doing a double-dip. I had seen Jesse's band The Robin Electric the night before with Marvin, so I left after Wally et al were done. I got to see the band Jim plays in - The Jeff Soukup Band - for their last set which ended toward midnight. I had a 40+ mile drive back to my Hotel and I was up way past my usual bedtime, but it was a great night!Cleveland Rocks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
december25 Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 Wendy,I always agree with your opinions and think snippy commments are uncalled for. I admit that I have not had time to read this whole thread but I do hope that you had a fun time and your pics are great. Hope you had a wonderful time in the land of Cleve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 It was a great show. As they say en français, point finale. Any other conspiracy theories don't hold a lot of water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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