1 Topic by JBFan4Life (edited by JBFan4Life 2013-09-20 21:45:33)

  • From: Greater Chicagoland
  • Registered: 2012-04-21
  • Posts: 657

Topic: Tommy Emmanuel

I know there are at least a few fans here.

I've always enjoyed seeing Tommy play, but it had always been "second hand", via shows on PBS, or YouTube videos.  None of which do the live experience justice.

He played at Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre (Sold Out, capacity 662 seats), last Wednesday (9/18).  And the next night he was at the Park West, in Chicago. 

I was part of the mesmerized crowd at the Elgin show.  Tommy said he had not been in the area in quite some time.  And I'm so glad I didn't miss this visit.  Unfortunately, although my brother-in-law had scored a meet and greet, the insane weather that afternoon (and the resulting traffic snarls) conspired against us, and we missed that.  But made the concert with plenty of time to spare, thankfully.  Tommy treated us to two sets.  The first one was an hour long, then he took a half hour break.  (No doubt to let his fingers cool down....)  Next up was another 1.5 hours of stellar guitar (and guitar percussion) playing.

BTW, theater staff (and even the sound guy, a friend of Tommy's) were adamant about the "no recording" policy.  Several people were shut down when they began to.  I must say it was nice not to see a sea of people holding up cell phones during the performance.  That's not a dig against the many recorders, here...but it was refreshing to see people just taking in a show, and not worrying about recording it for "posterity"--except in their grey matter.

It was a concert experience I won't ever forget.  Notable moments included "Guitar Boogie", "Beatles Medley--started with Here Comes the Sun and ended with Lady Madonna", "Mombasa", "Classical Gas", "Halfway Home", the Chet Atkins "montage" (as he put it), that closed the show...and pretty much the entire 2.5 hours he played.

Play like you've worked at it, and don't worry about sounding like your influences.  You can't cheat on them, or your practice, anyway.  If you've worked hard at your skill, your audience will know it.
  • Curby
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Re: Tommy Emmanuel

Great guitarist.  I've got quite a bit of his music, a fave being The Beatles medley.

  • Registered: 2010-12-12
  • Posts: 211

Re: Tommy Emmanuel

I have never seen Tommy in person either. But I will Oct 2nd when he comes to Dallas. I'm looking forward to the Chet Atkins and Beatles homage.

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  • From: Greater Chicagoland
  • Registered: 2012-04-21
  • Posts: 657

Re: Tommy Emmanuel

You are most definitely in for a treat...Tommy decided what Chet tunes to do at the end of the show "on the fly".  He told us the first couple of songs he would start it off with, and then said (paraphrasing), "Then I'll probably go into..., and then maybe...or could be...".  I always understood that he worked without a set list, and it was so much fun to watch him weave together the show as he went.  He sang a bit more than I expected (maybe 4 or 5 songs), all of which were really good, including "Nine Pound Hammer".

Incredibly, considering the beating he puts on his guitars, he only broke one string, and that was while retuning in between songs.  (Reminded me of Joe saying "I'm not nice to any guitar".)

Play like you've worked at it, and don't worry about sounding like your influences.  You can't cheat on them, or your practice, anyway.  If you've worked hard at your skill, your audience will know it.
  • Lee
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Re: Tommy Emmanuel

We saw Tommy for the third time just over a week ago. Tommy is the best acoustic guitar player I've ever seen. He's just amazing! And he's not just a great player, he's an extraordinary entertainer. To keep an audience completely mesmerized for well over two hours - as a solo act - is no easy feat. I think of it like this; if you're a fan of Joe's extended version of "Woke Up Dreaming" that was part of his set for many years, Tommy's show is like that to about the 10th degree (at least). Tommy doesn't just pick or strum the guitar, his ability to use the guitar as a percussive instrument is incredible, and his use of harmonics is phenomenal.

I would also agree about the noticeable lack of photo and video recording by the audience. They didn't even have to make an announcement in that regard, and there were no ushers scurrying around shutting people down, the audience just knew it was not the kind of concert for that sort of activity. It was very refreshing!

  • From: Greater Chicagoland
  • Registered: 2012-04-21
  • Posts: 657

Re: Tommy Emmanuel

Completely agree with your take, Lee.  The nearest show I can remember (only really comparable because it was one guy on solo acoustic), was when I saw Leo Kottke years ago at the University of Illinois.  And he certainly didn't play his twelve-string like it was a drum kit.  As you said, Tommy held us all enthralled for the entire show.  Including a boy of maybe 6 or 7, who was there with his dad and slightly older brother (and sat right next to my brother-in-law).

And though I said several people were asked to not record, it wasn't done obtrusively, and that was only about 4, maybe 5, who didn't seem to realize it wasn't "proper".

Play like you've worked at it, and don't worry about sounding like your influences.  You can't cheat on them, or your practice, anyway.  If you've worked hard at your skill, your audience will know it.
  • Registered: 2012-03-17
  • Posts: 235

Re: Tommy Emmanuel

Tommy is definitely a 'live' animal.

When I first saw him, it was like an epiphany. He was born to perform.

I only own one album of his - the amazing duet with Chet Atkins - 'The Day Fingerpickers took over the world', but I wouldn't buy any more.  However, rarely a week goes by without watching him on YT.

He's the ultimate player and a wonderful entertainer with it.

If he's in a town near you, you have to see him

  • Brack
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Re: Tommy Emmanuel

Yes, i'm a fan! We saw his show here @ Shepherd's Bush Empire, London this year - Simply brilliant!

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