“When you rock ’n’ roll with me”
Tony Visconti and friends presented an intimate show to the audience of the City Winery, in New York on Saturday night.
Here’s a brief review of the show and the setlist kindly provided by Major Tom Wilcox.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Review by Tom Wilcox
The TV Show, City Winery, New York
Saturday 3rd January 2015
Tony Visconti and special guests delivered an exhilarating and masterful performance to a packed City Winery in New York last night.
The perfectly balanced set of 19 songs was selected from the three or four thousand songs that Visconti has played on, produced or mixed over his fabled career in music. The exceptional highlights for Bowie fans included Suzanne Vega’s divine singing on ‘The Man Who Sold The World’, a haunting version of the dystopian epic ‘Sweet Thing/Candidate’ sung by Richie Barone and a roof-lifting, barn-storming ‘Young Americans’ sung by Nakia.
The band recreated the essential feeling of the songs with careful attention to each tune’s unique nuances. Visconti’s distinctive, dynamic, bass playing grooved imperiously with Dennis Diken’s drums. Gerry Leonard – described by Visconti on the night as “one of the best guitar players I have ever worked with” – was sublime, as ever. Joe McGinty’s keyboards and Peter Hess’s horns completed the rich soundscape.
The principal singer Richie Barone brought passion and theatricality to the night, not least on an emotive ‘Sweet Thing/Candidate’. The rotation of guest singer between the ascending talents of Kiah Victoria, Nakia and Larkin Graham, as well as very special guest Suzanne Vega, added much to the freshness and excitement of the evening.
The New York audience loved this performance which once again illustrated the unique quality and variety of Visconti’s career. Tony Visconti’s renaissance as a performing bass player continues to delight and entertain.
Musicians:
Bass and vocals: Tony Visconti
Vocals, guitar and harmonica: Richard Barone
Guitar: Gerry Leonard
Vocalists: Suzanne Vega, Kiah Victoria, Nakia, Larkin Grimm
Drums and vocals: Dennis Diken and vocals
Keys: Joe McGinty
Sax/Flute: Peter Hess
Set List:
1. A New Career In A New Town (David Bowie)
2. Rock & Roll With Me (David Bowie)
3. You Have Killed Me (Morrissey)
4. Jet (Paul McCartney & Wings)
5. Boys Keep Swinging (David Bowie)
6. Ballrooms of Mars (T.Rex)
7. Young Americans (David Bowie)
8. Yet Another Midnight (Richard Barone)
9. Your Wildest Dreams (The Moody Blues)
10. Dove (Tyrannosaurus Rex)
11. She Was Born To Be My Unicorn (Tyrannosaurus Rex)
12. Beautiful Daughter (The Move)
13. Sweet Thing/Candidate (David Bowie)
14. The Man Who Sold The World (David Bowie)
15. Will You (Hazel O’Connor)
16. Fashion (David Bowie)
17. “Heroes” (David Bowie)
18. Oh Baby (T.Rex)
19. Get It On (T.Rex)