Concert Reviews
DC Awesome In Agoura
August 19, 2006
Canyon Club. Agoura Hills, CA
Review & Photos by Cat Ortiz-White.
DC arrives!
Although I have seen David in concert many times, this was the most awesome Cassidy concert I've been to so far! Not only is it now my favorite DC concert but it is one of my favorite concerts I have been to by any performer!
David reaches out to Becky.
After a close friend of mine received tickets to see David at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills for Saturday, August 19th as a birthday present, I decided to join her. This venue has general admission seating and so along with some of "the devoted," I arrived early around 4:00 p.m. to get good seats. It was really wonderful meeting up with some long time fans that I had not seen in a while. I was especially pleased with many of them commented on my recently weight loss of 25 pounds since December. It's only taken me 5 years of having a rare medical condition with the birth of my daughter, for the doctors to figure out all the hormone replacement I need in order to be healthy and fit.
Since seeing David last, his band has changed from a six piece unit that included two female back-up singers to a four piece group featuring guitarist Matt Sullivan, bassist Frank Fabio, drummer Teri Coté and keyboard player Rob Cooke.
Above: Rockin' out on "Hush."
For his opening number, David came out performing the classic Deep Purple hit, "Hush" from 1969. It really rocked and helped the audience become energized. From the beginning, David "connected" with the audience, Right after the first song, David sang his hits from the 70's, "Could It Be Forever," which he sang to fans who were in the front seats. Throughout the concert, David would periodically start at one end of the stage touching and shaking hands to the other, trying to make physical contact with as many fans as possible.
"I Can Feel Your Heartbeat..."
David then went into a PF song he's always enjoyed performing and it shows, "I Can Feel Your Heartbeat" This is also one of my very favorite PF songs as it has such a strong rhythm and has such explicit sexual undertones, that I'm almost surprised it was even a PF tune! I loved the way David puts his hand under his shirt and thumbs on his chest while singing, "I can feel your heart beat and you didn't even say a word. You can feel my heartbeat too - and you didn't even say a word." David oozes "sex" while performing this number!
I was especially pleased with David's response to his long time fans including myself. After going back and fourth a few times, David seemed to look at me like, "Who is that?" Then suddenly it was if you could see the "light bulb" come over his head. he came and put his arm around me and gave me a BIIIIIGGGGGG kiss on the cheek! I don't usually like cologne - but OMG - he smelled soooo good!! You could smell him and it was wonderful.
After sitting down on his "leopard pill box chair" David got up as he took notice of a US fan, Doris who had travelled to UK to see him perform in concert when he was touring overseas. She said she gave him a UK scarf when she went to the UK to see him and so now she brought a US scarf for him to wear here. David wore the US scarf as he sang, "Point Me In the Direction of Albuquerque"
David performed "Echo Valley 2-6809" next and many of "the devoted" who follow him from show-to-show pulled out their cell phones, hoping he'd borrow their phone for the speaking part of "Hello Operator, get me Echo Valley 2-6809" and of course his drummer saying, "You have reached a disconnected DECADE" (instead of number) before handing the phone back to the "lucky fan."
All three of David's brother's - Shaun, Patrick and Ryan, were in the audience for this performance and early on in the show they all yelled, "We love you DONK!" to David. As many of you may already know from his autobiography, that is something his brothers nicknamed him, due to David being "very well endowed." David said questioningly, "We love you Donk?" All of "the devoted" laughed.
For those of you who don't already know about David's half brothers, Shaun was a big teen-idol after the David for a couple of years when he landed one of the leading roles in the hit TV series "The Hardy Boys," also having gold and platinum records and sold out stadiums when doing world tours. Shaun later pursued a theatrical career landing roles in many productions that include "Mass Appeal," "Barefoot in the Park," "The Subject Was Roses," "Diary of a Hunger Strike," (winning the Dramalogue Award for Best Actor), and of course "Blood Brothers" with David on Broadway. Shaun received critical acclaim before becoming a successful TV creator, writer and producer for "Roar," "Cover Me," and "The Agency," "Cold Case," and others. There is an excellent web site for Shaun at http://www.shauncassidy.net/SCN.htm.
Patrick Cassidy & my daughter Crystalinda.
Patrick has had the type of career David initially set his sites on as he started out on Broadway before doing many dramatic TV shows before landing his role of Keith in The P.F. Just SOME of Patrick's theater appearances include "Pirates of Penzance," "Leader of the Pack," Love Letters," Assassins," "Company," "Camelot," "Duets," "Annie Get Your Gun," "Aida," "42nd Street," and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." He's also been a guest on many TV shows and in many movies. There is a great website on Patrick at http://www.patrickcassidy.net. I recently took my 5 year old daughter Crystalinda to see Patrick tour in "Joseph" when he came to San Diego where we live. We waited for Patrick to come out of the stage door and he posed for the photo above with her. She's been singing "Go, go, go Joseph" ever since and I had to order the DVD with Donny Osmond so she could watch it again. Needless to say, I personally loved David's performance of "Joseph" on Broadway in 1983 the best! Ryan has also done some acting (he was a regular in the 6th season of "The Facts of Life" TV show) and has been very successful working in Hollywood doing behind the scenes work such as set designs for Jim Henson and many other fine productions. There is also a fine web site for Ryan located at http://www.ryancassidy.com.
Above: Point Me In The Direction of Albuquerque
David later sang his PF hit "Summer Days," and during this up-beat number he went from one end of the stage to the other attempting to shake or touch as many hands as possible. When he came by me, he motioned for my hand. I reached out and he grabbed my hand not letting go until he literally pulled me up & out of my chair until he had to let go to move on.
David also acknowledged several long time fans who were in the audience. David went over to one very long time fan who's seen him in EVERYTHING through-out the years and asked her to say where she was from and she said, "England." David said something like, "You have been such a devoted fan for so many years and here you fly over just to see me in so many shows, I just want to tell you how grateful I am and what that means to me." This reminded me of the days when in practically every interview, David would say, "If it weren't for the fans, I'd be pumpin' gas man!" and "You (the fans) can live with out me, I can't live with out you!"
Another long time fan David acknowledged is the very talented and successful writer & editor of the Ventura County Star, Mark Wyckoff. Mark actually joined my club way back in the 80's when he was only around 15 years old. Mark recently interviewed DC for an article titled "At last balance" located here.
Some fans gave this excellent article to David. David thanked Mark for "actually quoting me CORRECTLY." Mark also helped me with some of my notes for THIS review so that I would not "misquote" DC myself!
In the past, Mark wrote a HUGE article for a music collectors magazine with full discography and it was one of the best pieces I have ever read on David. So it was wonderful that Mark got the recognition that he so fully deserves!!
Right: David holding US Scarf and program from EFX in Vegas.
I always find David's connection to a certain 60's band and it's leader to be very emotionally and spiritually uplifting. During David's performance he pays tribute to the world's greatest band ever; The Beatles by doing a couple tunes with only himself and his acoustic guitar. David first introduced "No Reply," by saying "When I was 13 years old I heard this incredible music on the radio. And sure enough on a Sunday night I turned on the television and there was the Ed Sullivan Show. It changed my life forever; it changed your life forever. What they contributed to our culture and to our lives will never, ever be equalled."
Above: "Hey! You've Got To Hide Your Love Away!"
After finishing that tune, David commented, "That was written and sung by John Lennon, who I'm proud to say was my friend. I'm proud to say that I got to know him and I'm proud to say that he was one of the most incredible human beings I've ever met. He was intelligent, and dedicated to what he believed in. His intensity about his political beliefs and his social beliefs was remarkable. He lived it and breathed it every day. He was an inspiration for me." David then talked about how on New Years Eve 1974, John came over with a mutual friend and he got to jam with him, re-teaching him some of his early Beatle songs. David then had the audience practice shouting "HEY" before going into "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away," with the fans shouting, "HEY - You've got to hide your love away!"
As a "child of the 60's" myself, having David state how I personally feel about my favorite band of all time, (The Beatles) and my favorite singer of all time (John Lennon), was a highlight of the show. It helped remind me of why I have always been such a tremendous fan of David's.
Above: David shares fond memories of his close friend John Lennon
Back in 1972 David posed nude for Rolling Stone Mag. article "Naked Lunch Box," to try to show the world who the REAL David was opposed to the manufactured "bubblegum image" the teen magazines, TV producers and others created to make a lot of money off of his name and likeness. The studios gave David HELL for it - they lost million dollars worth of endorsements. But ya know what? David got MY endorsement for doin' that! Plus, to this day, only 3 issues of RS ever totally sold out - the first one, the one after Lennon's death and DC's Naked Lunchbox. It's still talked about today and he's still asked questions about it. David has no regrets about doin' that once "controversial" article and that's one of the things I MOST admire about David. He really did try for MANY YEARS to show the world who he really was even when they did not want to hear it.
Even in the 80's when Reagan was so popular and David wasn't that popular, David had to courage to say he was not fond of Reagan's policies and that he was still a "hippie at heart" even though it was not the "cool" thing to be at that time! Instead, the "Material Girl" and caring about the almighty dollar was what was "in fashion." On David's 1998 CD, Old Trick/New Dog CD even recorded a song titled "(Whatever Happened to) Love, Peace & Happiness." In light of the recent war in the Middle East, I think this song or his 1990's tune "Message To The World" would be a great addition to David's set list.
Just seeing DC in concert and having him talk about his love of The Beatles and his close friend John Lennon really moved me because that's how I also feel about The Beatles and John. You know the slogan,"NO FEAR" - some people simply wear it on their shirts and clothes. But that really IS how John Lennon and David actually live(d)!
DC's Rolling Stone article came up during this performance when he was handed a photo taken from that article. David said, "For many of you who have come and seen a lot of the shows I have done, I can tell you that, for me, it never gets anything less than an emotional moment when I see you sitting there with photographs of me half-naked when I was 23," he said jokingly, "I can only imagine what you're doing with them when I'm not with you." David was handed MANY items from the crowd for him to sign ranging through-out his 38-year career. From the PF-era (When looking at himself with the long hair would say "Who IS this CHICK?" Oh - it's ME!") to his self titled 1990's LP cover to his Vegas shows EFX & At The Copa to current concert photos. The rule of thumb on signing autographs that evening seemed to be, happy to oblige as long as you have your pen ready - but I won't stop the show and wait if you are not ready. That seemed to be a very reasonable attitude.
Left: DC to 7 yr old, "You don't know who the hell I am, do you?"
David did use some "colorful language" during this show but it was always in jest like when Danny Bonaduce speaks of his PF days. David joked around with a family of four that came to the concert. When David noticed a little boy in the audience, he asked him how old he was and the boy replied, "seven." David said, "You have NO IDEA who the HELL I am, do you?" Everyone laughed. The boy said, "Yeah, I do." David asked where the boy was from. Oakland, near the bay. This then prompted David into singing a bit of the Otis Redding classic, "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay." Everyone was clapping along with the music until David stopped the song before reaching the end of tune. Everyone gave a huge applause and cheers for David's short impromptu' performance of the number. Then David noticed a little girl who said she was nine and he asked her if she knew the boy. The girl said, "He's my brother." David said, "So - who is the MANIAC in your family who has BRAINWASHED the two of you?" Everyone including the family - and especially their father - was cracking up laughing! The mom handed David a bunch of his PF and solo CD's. After David handed them back to the mom, David said in a teasing way, "Oh my god mom, you're so well-endowed!" before moving on with the show.
Right: Family laughs at "Who is the maniac who has brain washed you?"
Joyce Malhoney was in attendance as she so often is and when one fan started to take too much attention away from the show, David spotted her and used her as an excuse to get away by saying, "Excuse me - but I need to get lei'd again tonight." Joyce has been bringing fresh Hawaiian lie's now for the past several years. Before the show, Joyce even told some of us a funny story of how one night she did not bring one. David went over to her to say his usual line about "getting lie'd" when he noticed she didn't have one. He looked at her like "Where is it?" and she just "shrugged." After the show, Joyce ran into the drummer who said something like, "Don't forget to bring the lei' next time!" David's literally made her part of his act!
Above: DC has more fun with the family from Oakland
Before going into his 1990 hit single "Lyin' To Myself," David was handed his acoustic guitar and after strumming a cord, he stated "Ahhhh - the sweet sound of SHIT!" Everyone laughed. Then David said, "Feedback - could ya tone that down a bit?" David mentioned that this next song was one that stated how he felt about the industry and helped him get back into the recording business. He also acknowledged his lovely wife Sue Shirfrin Cassidy as co-writing this tune for him. Also how this song was his first top 20 hit in 15 years and it reached the top 20 in the Adult Contemporary charts and 27 on the R&R charts before his label when belly-up. Instead of doing the song as originally recorded, David used his acoustic guitar as did Matt, Teri switched from drums to congas, Frank on bass and Rob, and Frank on keyboard in an almost reggae' style. While the band sang the chorus, David would sing impromptu' over them. It was a very creative and cool version of this song!
Right: Fans had David their mom's yearbook from DC's High School.
Right after this number, when I thought it couldn't get any better, David went into "Common Thief" from his 1975 LP "The Higher They Climb." This LP was David's first Post-PF album and it is the one that helped make me a life-time fan even after my school girl "crush" had worn off. David just totally ROCKED OUT on this number jamming on his maroon red electric Parker guitar! It was totally AWESOME!
My only complaint about David's concerts in general is that I wish would do a few more of his post-PF tunes like he does while performing abroad. David has had many hits in Europe from his RCA album's "The Higher They Climb," "Home Is Where The Heart Is," (produced by CD and Bruce Johnston of The Beach Boys) and "Gettin' It In The Street" (produced by DC & Gerry Beckley of "America"). David's first big hit includes the infamous "I Write The Songs." This Bruce Johnson penned was a hit in Europe when Clive Davis heard it while in the UK and gave it to his fledgling Barry Manilow to record. Other hits from the RCA LP's include "Get It Up For Love," (which was banned in the USA) "Tomorrow," "Breakin' Down Again." In 1985 David also enjoyed success in Europe again with smash hits such as "The Last Kiss," "She Knows All About Boys," from his "Romance" album. David does not sing them while performing in the US since they were not played on the radio in this country.
Left: holding PF photo, "Who IS this CHICK? Oh - it's ME!"
Also, blatantly missing was DC's last US hit, "No Bridge I Wouldn't Cross," which reached number 21 on the AC charts and is the most successful selling CD from an INDEPENDENT label ever! Even mixing it up a bit by adding his more rock orientated hit "Rock Me Baby" or do HIS rocked-out version of the song "Warm My Soul" from the RMB LP. "Warm My Soul" was originally a "filler song" on the original LP that I often skipped over while playing the album. However David had often mentioned laying down tracks for that LP only to come in and find PF record producer Wes Farrell and cut them out or taped over them. David managed to save one of his own versions of "Warm My Soul" and it was later released on a PF-compilation along with a never released PF song and two self written tunes. David's version starts out with a electric guitar riff that changes this once rather lame little ditty into rip-rock 'n' roll that unless you're dead, you can't help but move around to. Even incorporating a couple DIFFERENT PF song such as my all time favorite PF tune, "Brown Eyes" would be a nice change of pace for those that follow him around from town to town - or simply those that go to see him more than once every couple of years!
Right: David rocks out on "Common Thief!"
I completely understand David's point of view that it is "the hits" that MOST fans want to hear. However, I respectfully disagree with his decision on this issue. Although David did not have as many post-PF hits in the US, David has many long-time fans that continue to go to his concerts some even flying from Europe to see him perform. Also, every time I have played David's own original material to fans that have not heard the newer material, they are blown away by how great these songs are and what a great talent has in writing and singing real ROCK songs! Even Donny Osmond and Rick Springfield play more of their later material which has helped them become more "credible" in the eyes of there fans and critics alike. It is also more reflective of his own personal style and taste - it IS the REAL him that he so desperately tried to describe while doing his 1972 RS article. So that is my only complaint about David's set. However, David knows I feel this way and he is fine with it. He knows that when I disagree with him it is because I care about him and his career, not just because I want to "be critical." David even came over while jammin' on his electric guitar during "Common Thief" and looked at me almost as if to say, "Okay, this one is for YOU." In a recent article, David even did state how he did that song for the long time fans that would like him to do more of his Post-PF material.
Above: David's passion showed in his emotional performances.
After "Common Thief," David toned things down a bit by acknowledging his mother Evelyn Ward, who was in the audience. "What do you need to say? She's the best," David stated, "I love my mom so much." He also thanked many of his long time fans who he knew had kept in touch with Evelyn over the years and who have been very supportive of her. David then went into his first solo hit "Cherish." As usually, he used this number to take flowers and other items from the audience. He made certain to sing lovingly to some fans while "gazing into their eyes" as the lyrics of the song state.
During David's performance he talked about being from Los Angeles and although he no longer lives here, it is a place "Where a man can dig his heals into the dirt and look out over his fence and barbed wire and breath in - what air?" He looked up, "Where the HELL IS the air??" Everyone laughed before saying how he was just joking and actually loved Los Angeles and had many fond memories of living there for so many years, etc. There was even someone in the audience who had gone to school with David and her daughters brought up his High School yearbook with his photo in it.
Right: DC holding his HS yearbook.
David then performed the PF theme song "C'mon Get Happy," having the audience all clap and sing along. Then the PF hit, "I Woke Up In Love This Morning." There was a long period of time when David used to say "I'll never be an oldies act" and he rejected doing so many of his oldies. Even on his 1974 Live LP, David did more non-PF tunes including the Crosby, Stills & Nash hit "For What It's Worth." However, now that he's had such huge success in numerous plays on and off Broadway as well as being the number 1 performer in Las Vegas for 2 years straight while performing in EFX as well as having a few solo-hits, David has now "embraced his past. " DC no longer feels threatened by his old "teen-idol" image. In the past, David said he needed to "distance himself" from the show in order to get work. Now he says that is no longer the case.
David then started to introduce his final song which is always his biggest hit, the number 1 song of 1970, "I Think I Love You," when someone shouted out the title. David said something like, "Oh - so you've seen the show before huh? Well, maybe I should mix it up a bit. I've always wondered about the beginning and changing it around a bit. Like how about, 'I was doin' laundry - and right in the middle of a big load?', etc. Everyone cracked up with his different lyrics to the beginning of that song. Finally, David performed the number. As he sang, David let a few fans at the front give him a kiss on the cheek. So I opened my arms and he came down to hug me and I went to give him a kiss. As I went towards his cheek, he turned so that I got a kiss on the lips instead! Needless to say, this made me a pretty happy lil' camper!
Left: David becomes part of the song.
After ITILY, David left the stage and the audience shouted "David" over & over again while clapping loudly. David came back for an encore and the crowd cheered. DC dedicated his final number to his late father, Tony-winner Jack Cassidy saying it was a song that Jack taught him and that "With my brothers, my family and my mom all here, I think they know he is shining his light down on us tonight." He then ended the show with his own version of the 1951 Johnnie Ray hit "Cry." David has often sang this song for his encore' and it has become a favorite with the fans, including myself as it shows off his great range. This night with his family in attendance, David's performance was more moving that usual. It literally sent chills down my spin and you could see David starting to shake and almost "cry" while singing this powerful song. At the end of the number there was a pause of utter awe and then a roar of thunderous applause and cheers from the audience.
Above: Not holding back, DC wails "Go on and Cryyyyyyy!"
After the show, David's brother's kindly poised with fans who wished to take photos of them and with them. I had run out of film and so I just went back to hotel.
For me, this night was a reminder of every positive feeling I have had of David throughout the years. While the word is now often over-used, this truly was an AWESOME night in Agoura!
