Concert Review
Arcada Theater, Saint Charles, IL
March 26, 2015
I have to start this review by saying that I have the greatest husband. Ever. My husband has driven me to a grand total of four David Cassidy events over the past four years without ever rolling his eyes or wondering why we can't go someplace else on our weekend getaways. At the most recent DC event in St. Charles, Illinois, I noticed many other husbands sitting patiently next to their wives while the wives waited not-so-patiently for our crush from 1970 to appear. Of course, the men aren't stupid. As another husband said to my spouse, "If Mama's happy, then the whole house is happy!" And there were plenty of happy mamas at Thursday's event.
This was a different kind of show and one that David and the promoter, Ron Onesti, both pointed out. Very little singing and a whole lot of talking. David shared his career with the audience, starting with many stories about his dad, Jack Cassidy. He spoke about his trouble with alcohol as well as other personal problems. He told the audience about some of the famous people he knew—including John Lennon and a story about the two of them recording themselves one night and then destroying the tape. Now that would be a tape worth listening to! He talked about his new girlfriend and what his life is like now. All in all, he shared a lot and he did it so well that it was a little bit like eavesdropping on a private conversation, the sign of a good interview in my book.
Apart from hearing David talk, another huge highlight was hearing pianist Craig J. play. I don't think I am alone in saying that it would be entirely possible to listen to that talented man play the piano all evening long. It was especially entertaining when, after David told how Craig had a piano teacher who made him play the keyboard while lying on the floor, to see Craig demonstrate how that was done. Talent like Craig J's is almost overwhelming and makes me look forward to the album that David and Craig will be recording this summer.
David sang a few songs, none of his hits, and I think that might have disappointed a few people in the audience. He was also losing his voice so the question and answer period was on the brief side. He did tell us that he was up for a role in the 70s that ultimately went to Dustin Hoffman so I'm going to ask my question here and hopefully David will read this and reply: Was that Dustin Hoffman's role in Papillon or Marathon Man? Or was is Straw Dogs?
All in all, it was a different kind of evening, an entertaining evening and an unforgettable evening. So the next time David is in the Midwest, will my husband and I be in attendance? Of course! As long as David will perform, we'll be there because I honestly can't think of a better way to spend a weekend getaway.
Nell
