• Registered: 2008-02-14
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Topic: Richie Kotzen

I remember the days I used to bang out a review the day after, seems to take me longer now. This was a good one:

It was over sixteen years since I’d once seen Richie Kotzen with glam metal band Poison back in my teenage years, and I’d heard little of him since. Therefore I shared feelings of anticipation with also a slight trepidation about the show I was to witness. This was the final date of a 10 night UK tour in support of his 23rd solo album Peace Sign.  Wiltshire based Fry were support act and providing an entertaining set of rock blues with some well executed covers of Joe’s ‘Sloe Gin’ and ‘Taking A Hit’, in addition to some powerful originals. Playing as part of a trio, Kotzen took to the stage before a decent sized crowd and commenced with Losing My Mind.  Kotzen is a virtuoso guitar playing and the technical ability he displayed on his red telecaster was exceptional.  This playing regularly involved the sweep picking technique.  The influence of the blues is also apparent in his play, particularly his guitar leads. He is far more than a showman however as songs like the ballad Doing What The Devil Says So’ demostrated Kotzen is also a very talented song writer and possesses a wonderful voice. A rocking version of the Yardbird’s classic ‘Shapes of Things’ was to follow before the strong chorused rocker ‘Go Faster’. ‘Sara Smile was a melancholic love song with some very tasteful guitar playing, before a passionate performace of ‘High’ which was perhaps the song which received the greatest crowd recognition.  The title track of “Peace Sign” was one of the closing numbers and notable as Kotzen sings his fine vocals along a bluesy guitar line.  Kotzen was well worth catching and with songs this strong, it is a wonder he is not better known. 

Here are some videos from that concert (not shot by me), they are good:

Peace Sign
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JawUo5Vv7lc

Sarah Smile
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwDw9-XGFmE

Shape of Things
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlPwOT-uEcA

"The recently formed Edinburgh Blues Club has identified an appetite for the personal communication between musicians and audience that the blues long ago perfected." The Herald Newspaper (Scotland)
http://www.edinburgh-blues.uk

2 Reply by Pittsburgh Jeff (edited by Pittsburgh Jeff 2009-10-27 06:55:48)

  • From: City of Champions
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
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Re: Richie Kotzen

Never knew of Richie when he was in Poison. Just found out about him a few months back. Love his tune called Special. I think it's off the same disc as "Go faster"  Awesome song with a Marvin Gaye sound.    Very talented player.   PJ gives him 2 thumbs up.

Take care everyone. And if I don't meet you no more in this world
Then ill, I'll meet you in the next one and don't be late, don't be late

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  • From: Norddeutschland
  • Registered: 2008-12-03
  • Posts: 1,458

Re: Richie Kotzen

I wrote here earlier in the year about Ritchie having caught him in Hamburg in a tiny club. Fantastic performer. As the reviewer says, a virtuoso guitarist with a voice to match. I urge anyone with the chance of catching him live to do so.

He is back in Hamburg 0n the 27th November so if any of the Hamburg forum members read this, treat yourself to an incredible evening.

No Hits, No Hype.......................Classic Rock Jan 2012
  • From: Frederick County, MD
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
  • Posts: 857

Re: Richie Kotzen

I've been a big fan of Richie's since the 80's....and will forgive him for the poor judgment to join Poison....guess everyone's got to make a living :-/

Check out his early stuff on Shrapnel Records (Mike Varney's label), the first self-titled is very Satriani-esque...lots of technique and chops, but my favorite is "Fever Dream"....excellent songs/groove/singing.....he plays a slow blues that just smokes....name escapes me at the moment....

Check out his cover of The Temptations/Rod Stewart's "I'm Losing You"....not the greatest quality video....but you get the idea:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-WQwHxJ … re=related

CarljMD

Takers get the honey, givers sing the blues

5 Reply by mikeb (edited by mikeb 2009-10-30 17:28:32)

  • mikeb
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Re: Richie Kotzen

Richie is one of those totally not fair guys blessed with talent to burn on voice and guitar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6M5heXd5bk

tongue

Wow Richie Kotzen deserves a whopping 4 posts???????

roll

You Can Do Anything You Want To Do

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  • bibi
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Re: Richie Kotzen

Went to De Boerderij - Zoetermeer to see Richie. A friend of mine said I should go.
I wasn´t familiar with his music, but fortunately I took the advice serious.
What an incredible guitarplayer!!! I loved the gig from the beginning 'till the end (even Richie had vocal problems, he was ill). I defenitely will see him again!!!

  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
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Re: Richie Kotzen

Yeah he was the only Poison member who could play! Love him, and his voice. Excellent guitarist- hands down.

  • RickB
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Re: Richie Kotzen

I just checked and Richie is playing the Coach House here on April 7. Guess we've got to check this out after the preceding reports. I've never seen or heard him play, since I never got into the metal genre.
Rick

Free download from Vienna! http://mbsy.co/bNLR
Lots of unique videos of Joe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwd5vL8fXTw
Buy Joe's merchandise here. http://www.jbonamassa.com/affiliates/id … hp?id=1381

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  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
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Re: Richie Kotzen

RickB wrote:

I just checked and Richie is playing the Coach House here on April 7. Guess we've got to check this out after the preceding reports. I've never seen or heard him play, since I never got into the metal genre.
Rick

If you haven't youtubed him yet, heres a vid of just him playing and singing. Or if you wanna go in fresh, thats cool too! He's not a real "showy" guitarist, but he's definitely good. -S

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35gqhiPPZE0

  • Registered: 2009-01-01
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Re: Richie Kotzen

Great guitar player. Very unfortunate name (in German)...

  • Kenny
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Re: Richie Kotzen

Can highly recommend his Live in Sao Paulo album.

  • From: Norddeutschland
  • Registered: 2008-12-03
  • Posts: 1,458

Re: Richie Kotzen

Rick

I can definately recommend you go. That he is great guitar player is given. He will really impress you. What will impress you even more though is his singing. He has an incredible voice. Fantastic phrasing and emotion in their.

Richie is the complete package. I never tire of catching him live. He's one of those guys that is forever under the radar and when you see him you are just "WTF... how can I being seeing someone this good for 20 Euros?".....and I still don't have the answer to that question.

No Hits, No Hype.......................Classic Rock Jan 2012
  • RickB
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Re: Richie Kotzen

With all the glowing accolades, there is no question we'll be there. Thanks for all the info and links. This will be another great night at the Coach House, though the gig Friday was over the top with the under the radar Rod Piazza and his expanded band (and two tremendous supporting acts). Hoping that Mike and Susan can make it down for one last gig before they head out to Texas.
Rick

Free download from Vienna! http://mbsy.co/bNLR
Lots of unique videos of Joe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwd5vL8fXTw
Buy Joe's merchandise here. http://www.jbonamassa.com/affiliates/id … hp?id=1381

RickB's Website

  • bibi
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Re: Richie Kotzen

RickB wrote:

I just checked and Richie is playing the Coach House here on April 7. Guess we've got to check this out after the preceding reports. I've never seen or heard him play, since I never got into the metal genre.
Rick

Don't worry about the metal genre Rick. He's got a lot of ballads, funk, fusion. The guy has a wide range of styles! Metal is the last thing I would call his work.

  • From: Grapevine, Tejas
  • Registered: 2009-11-03
  • Posts: 1,248

Re: Richie Kotzen

Hey Rick...Got your e-mail.  Gonna try real hard to make this.  The deal to complete the sale of the company that i work for is supposed to close that week so I may have to be in Dallas.  If we can make it, it will be a last minute decision, but it's on my radar screen and we're going to try.

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Re: Richie Kotzen

Rockfarmer wrote:

Hey Rick...Got your e-mail.  Gonna try real hard to make this.  The deal to complete the sale of the company that i work for is supposed to close that week so I may have to be in Dallas.  If we can make it, it will be a last minute decision, but it's on my radar screen and we're going to try.

I'll snag a foursome of dinner tix Mike. If you can make it, great. If not, I'll treat someone.

Free download from Vienna! http://mbsy.co/bNLR
Lots of unique videos of Joe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwd5vL8fXTw
Buy Joe's merchandise here. http://www.jbonamassa.com/affiliates/id … hp?id=1381

RickB's Website

  • Registered: 2012-03-17
  • Posts: 235

Re: Richie Kotzen

Kotzen is the real deal.  A phenomenal guitar player.  Forget the old Poison stuff, theres elements of funk, fusion and soul in there and he plays a load more with his fingers these days but has an amazing left hand - his legato is up there with the best.

Really good voice as well - I'm jealous - should be a good show ....

18 Reply by Curby (edited by Curby 2012-03-19 21:29:42)

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Re: Richie Kotzen

Sometimes I forget things that are important.  I remembered to listen to Richie after seeing this thread and picked his Wilson Hawk/The Road album.  Growing up in Philly RK always wanted to do a soul album and on The Road he delivers nicely.  Soul Music has always been comfort food for me.

http://youtu.be/739pkDBBl20