Concert Reviews
New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark, NJ (3:00 PM & 7:30 PM)
June 25, 2016
Day and Night with David Cassidy at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center
“The meet and greet starts 30 minutes before the show…the taking of photographs is strictly prohibited. Enjoy the evening.” This was the email received by all of us with VIP purchased tickets prior to David’s concerts at the New Jersey Performing Arts Centre on June 25, 2016.
As we stood in line to pose with our favourite rock star, I noticed the people around me ranging in age from teens to grandparents. Janet and I travelled down from Canada and met fans from Holland, the UK and all parts of the US-a familiar sight at a David Cassidy concert.
As I greeted a tanned, healthy looking David I was asked by security to give them my camera for the photograph. “My camera?” I thought to myself, “Don’t you have a professional to take the picture? Didn’t you tell me that cameras are not allowed?”
I embarrassingly fumbled deep in my pockets to pull out my well hidden camera and I could see that neither David nor the rest of us were too pleased with the disorganization of the meet and greet. Sadly the stress of trying to set up the camera resulted in no photo for me this time but I was happy to at least say hello.
At the evening greet, a professional was brought in to take the photos probably at David’s insistence and things now moved along smoothly. “You’re back” said David to me as I entered. “Yes I am and thanks for bringing in the professional camera” I replied to which David smiled and repeated my comment to the others “Did you hear what he said? Thanks for the photographer”. We both understood the importance of organization and David took the bull by the horns to get it right this time. Kudos to you Mr Cassidy.
There were two concerts to look forward to this day (3pm and & 7:30pm) after the meet and greets and both were vibrant in terms of music and performance. From the moment when he walked on stage, smiling that big confident grin, he had the audience in the palm of his hand. At least thrice during the performances fans leaped up to give him standing ovations, all well deserved.
Once on stage David didn’t waste any time in rousing the audience as he opened with the rollicking ‘C’mon Get Happy’. He was forced to wait after each song as the crowd just couldn’t stop clapping and screaming.
Although most songs were over forty years old, David sang them as if they were very much current supported by an outstanding band comprising guitar, bass, keyboard and drums. If anyone could bridge the generation gap, it was surely this man and his desire to please all ages in attendance.
The transitions David makes in his shows from hard hitting rock to softer ballads keep the audience alert every minute. There was the bass driven “I Can Feel Your Heartbeat” that gave way to a gentle “Alburqerque” which preceded a bluesy “Sweet Little Angel” in tribute to BB King. Ask fifteen Cassidy admirers about their favourite song of the fifteen sung at the concerts and you would probably get a different answer from each one.
When he talked about his life and influences, one got a feeling that he was sharing intimate details and thoughts with all of us. There is little doubt that David enjoys the homecoming New Jersey/New York concerts and the people here appreciate it giving him the opportunity to perform in the area several times a year. Even grammar school classmates showed up to support him this day.
In purchasing VIP tickets I was placed squarely in second row centre, the height of all the female action. Smartly I made the decision to vacate my front seats for an open balcony spot elevated and over to the side of the stage. The view was still excellent but I was happy to have avoided the pandemonium when the ladies came alive to the pulse of the music. Watching a David Cassidy concert can be a lesson in human behavior. There are the quiet, the maniacal and everything in between. Janet and I tend to be more on the gentle side trying our best to quietly capture some photos and videos while appreciating the Cassidy talent in all its glory. The energetic fans, usually women, can be fun to watch as long as one doesn’t get dangerously close. Some beg for David’s sweat soaked towel while others throw underwear in his direction. Different reactions but all unique in their own way and all of which bring smiles to the faces in the band.
“I’ll Meet You Halfway” is one of my favourite songs and one could hear a pin drop as the audience focused on the lyrics and beautiful harmonies generated by David and the group. Possibly a future chart topper, “Night and Day” is one of the songs expected to be on an upcoming cd later this year. Taught by his father, David sang it with a soulful feeling that had us snapping our fingers to the jazzy melody.
Crowd favourites, “Daydream Believer” and “I’m A Believer” in tribute to Davy Jones and the Monkees had audience members singing and dancing along with David. I bet half the photos taken during the uptempo songs like “Hush” and “Believer” registered a blur due to his quick movements from one end of the stage to the other.
“I’m going to do a song for you that was written by the greatest influence in my life socially, politically and in every other way he became my friend...” With these words, David took us back to the mid-seventies with a tenderly sung “In My Life” accentuated by a cool keyboard solo from Craig J.
The evening show had David gracing us with “Common Thief” from his sojourn with RCA and it seemed at this point that he was ready to continue with some more rarities until a fan shouted out “Cherish”. David complied but unfortunately the rare songs I was looking forward to were dropped in favour of the band introductions.
At the afternoon show David did a slow melancholic “Summertime” during Craig’s solo but this was replaced with the bouncy “On Broadway” for show two. Any songs during the band intros are bonus to me and always appreciated.
Self-deprecating is the only way to describe David’s version of “Doesn’t Somebody Want To Be Wanted”. It probably takes all his concentration not to laugh through the entire song but it’s this sense of humour that is endearing to the audience. When a usually large, serious security guard laughs you know it’s got to be very funny.
Luckily for all of us, “I Woke Up In Love” and “I Think I Love You” has been a mainstay in David’s shows since the 1970s. I would consider them the national anthems of the Partridge Family and a true representation of popular music in the early 70s. Perhaps if the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame got their act together, they would realize the importance of David and his music to a generation of teens that have never forgotten the good, simpler times.
Good times, that’s what David Cassidy brings us each show and that’s why we return over and over again.
Thank you Lucio for sharing your review and photos.
To see Lucio's photos from the 3:00 show click here.
