Tesla
Webster Theater, Hartford CT
07/06/2007
By: Tim McCall
Staff Writer – Guitar Jam Daily
tim@guitarjamdaily.com
The first question that came to my mind when I was asked to do this Concert Review was. “Do they still have it?”. You know what I mean, right? That undefinable factor that made Tesla such a hit in the first place. After such a long layoff from playing, recording and touring, I think it’s a valid question. It’s really the first and only question a fan of Tesla (or of any Band) is going to ask themselves before going out and paying to see them play a live show. So before I even get started breaking down the show and giving you all the details, the answer is, YES! Tesla STILL ROCKS and they STILL HAVE IT!
OK, are you happy now? Got a big grin on your face? Good. Because I know I did.
Anyone interested in detailed discographies, biographies and information on the band can go to the Band’s Website. http://www.teslatheband.com
Tesla played the Webster Theater in Harford Connecticut on July 6th, 2007. The show was sponsored by 106.9 WCCC, “The Rock” broadcasting out of Hartford, CT.
I had never been to the Webster Theater so I didn’t really know what to expect. It is a fairly decent sized Venue. It looks like it could hold around 1000 people. My Comp ticket was #574 even though it was a General Admission Show. (Thank you Randy). It looked like there was somewhere between 600 and 700 fans attending. There are plenty of Bars, waitresses on the floor and a concession area for Bands to sell T-shirts, Posters and CD’s. The Ceiling is about 30’ and Slightly Domed.
The Webster Theater website says the Venue is an old converted movie theater. It’s definitely not like some of the Concert Venues Tesla has played in the past. It was the smallest Venue I have ever seen them in. (I saw the band twice back in the early 90’s) Not that I am complaining, it was a welcome treat to see one of my favorite bands from back in the day play in a small Venue with a good sound system. The sound system had good volume, clarity and separation.
Parking was a little bit of a hassle. The lot behind the Webster Theater is pretty small and all overflow traffic gets directed to a Grocery Store Parking lot about 2 blocks away. So if you want to park close, you need to get there really early. There were two Security guards wearing Webster Theater T-Shirts at the lot. They collected $5.00, put a card on my dashboard and said they would be there all night. When I left for the evening, someone had left 2 empty six-packs in the bed of my pickup truck. (Thanks losers) My impression of the surrounding neighborhood was that it isn’t very upscale and if you park in the overflow lot, make sure you leave with the crowd. Otherwise you might be in for an unwelcome surprise on the way back to your car. I also read a posting on the Webster Theater message board that said not to park on the surrounding streets because there are a lot of smash and grabs. I wouldn’t let that deter me from going to another show at the Webster Theater though.
The second question that I asked myself was, “why would Tesla do covers and not some new originals”? For those of you who haven’t heard. Tesla’s newest album is “Real to Reel”. It’s a 2 disc release of all cover songs. The second disc is only available to people who attend their live shows. You show your ticket stub at the merchandising table and get the 2nd CD free. Unless you have a complimentary ticket like me, then you are out of luck. It was no big deal at the time, because I figured that a set of disc’s probably had gotten sent to the office for us to review, but I was wrong. We haven’t gotten the 2nd Disc from the “Real to Reel” CD’s yet. So I will have to work on getting it and give you a complete rundown on the 2nd Disc of the new album at a later date. Check out Joe Sass’ review of Disc one here on GJD.
Tesla’s most successful single was “Signs”, from the “Five Man Acoustic Jam” album. For those of you who were unfamiliar with Tesla from that period, they took a huge risk at a time when Grunge was quickly overtaking Hard Rock, Glam and Heavy Metal by releasing an “Acoustic Covers” album. Tesla was widely credited with providing the impetus for what would later become the “MTV Unplugged” sessions.
This is clearly very familiar territory for Tesla, they do covers and they do them extremely well. Sometimes they are clearly the original song and other times there are subtle variations which give those songs you know and love a whole new sound, vibe and coloration. Jeff Keith’s voice has a lot to do with that. Lots of bands do covers, very few do justice to the original song. Tesla does more than just deliver the goods. They kick it off the stage. Besides, when will I get to see Led Zeppelin or Robin Trower out on tour, playing these songs live? Probably never….. Thanks Tesla, you still ROCK!
Let me give you the complete play by play and rundown on the show.
Tesla came on at 10:40PM and played a total of 18 songs.
Most of the songs were original Tesla material with a few cover songs from the new “Real to Reel” disc’s thrown in here and there.
Tesla opened the show with “Comin' Atcha Live”. Definitely one of their more upbeat, loud, fast and in your face songs. It was an excellent choice from their originals catalog to open the show. Tesla’s front man, Jeff Keith, still has almost 100% of that signature voice that I remember so well. “Comin' Atcha Live” is track # 2 off of the 1986 “Mechanical Resonance” Album. It was TIGHT! Boom! The show started and away they went with all 8 cylinders of the band blasting away at full throttle.
The 2nd Song I didn’t recognize – it must’ve been off of the “Real to Real CD’s”. Sorry fellas, ya stumped me almost right away and that doesn’t happen often. Note to self, get the playlist next time….
The 3rd Song was a Warren Zevon cover. “Taking my time etc”. Same drum beat / breaks
with a heavier Guitar sound. The stage backdrop had two big “Reel – to – Reel” Tapes spinning on the backdrop. Great Sustain on the Solo, even more than Warren Zevon would likely have played live. The beginning of the Guitar Solo was note for note
then they broke into a shredding solo. Then they traded off on the solos into the finish.
The only other band from back in that time period that I ever remember trading off on the guitar solos with such seamless transitions was Queensryche.
In between songs, Jeff Keith , mentioned Tesla’s last tour in support of the “Five Man Acoustic Jam” I saw them in New York on that tour. They were recording for the album. The crowd was so rowdy that they wound up using the recording from the Philadelphia show instead of the New York show. (according to the disc liner notes) Imagine people moshing to “Signs”! It was CRAZY……..Then, “take you back to 1986”!
They broke into the 4th Song “Modern Day Cowboy” track # 7 off of the 1986 “Mechanical Resonance” Album. They played it heavier and slightly slower than the original recording. They got a really big sound. The whole crowd was singing along. All 600-700 of the rock and roller’s there were really getting into the song. I was really digging it! Note for note on the Solo. The bridge outro was slightly different but sounded good. Jeff Keith was slightly off, my only disappointment of the evening. I almost wouldn’t have noticed it if I wasn’t so familiar with the song. It is one of my favorites from back in the days and it’s no exaggeration to say I must have heard this song 500 or more times easily. Live music is almost never exactly like the studio recording, but Tesla almost always manages to get really, really close to the original recording. The 12 string guitar outro was there, note for note. Ahhhh, old favorites played live. What more could an aging metal head like me ask for? It’s like a favorite old blanket that has been washed 500 times. Every note of the entire song wraps itself around my conscious memory and feels GOOD.
The 5th song was “Lazy Days Crazy Nights” track # 5 off of the 1990’s “Great Radio Controversy” Album. Tight, big, sounded great. They played it a little slow, with nice crisp shots on the ride cymbal cowbell. Frank Hannon played a fuzzed out Solo, started out playing his Flying V and then switched over to a Gibson.
The 6th Song was “Little Suzy” track # 9 off of the 1986 “Mechanical Resonance” Album. This was one of Tesla’s biggest hits. An acoustic ballad to be sure. I knew more than one girl who adopted this song as their own theme song. The song was played very tight, with the same big sound the guys seem to get from every song they play live. The bass line was heavier than the original recording. The whole crowd was singing along. It was almost a full house with no room anywhere on the floor down front. STILL GOT IT!
What else would you expect? The Solo was note for note. They played this song excellent. If this is one of your favorite songs, seeing the show just for this song would make it worth your while.
The 7th Song was “Rock Bottom”. Track #9 off Disc # 1 of the “Real to Reel”. What a
great classic rock n’ roll Guitar Riff! Schenker and UFO were awesome! (by the way, they are playing the Webster soon) If you wanted any Band to cover your favorite artist who would it be? There is a long tradition in Rock n’ Roll of bands doing covers. I can remember tons of examples where the cover sold better than the original. How about you? How many can you name? Frank got a nice sustained solo with feedback and switched back to his Flying V. I couldn’t help but wonder who/how they picked the songs that they cover? They get a really big open sound between the 2 guitars. I asked the Tour Manager, Randy, if they run their Marshall Amps in stereo and he said that “one of them do”. I’ll assume it is Frank Hannon, Since Dave Rude just recently joined the band. Maybe Ken can get the specific details out in his interview.
The 9th Song was “Love Song” track # 11 off of the 1990’s “Great Radio Controversy” Album. Intro was the long 12 string with 2 Acoustic Guitars, almost in a Spanish Flamenco Style. Then they transitioned over to their own style. Troy was playing his kit as Hand Drums in the background. The Guitars traded off. The crowd was too noisy too hear the music well. Welcome to a live Rock n’ Roll Show! They ended the Acoustic into and outroed to the beginning of Love Song, the point it always starts on the Radio. The crowd went totally wild, the loudest of the night. The 1st Solo note for note ,2nd half of the song was done a little differently than the original recording but it was excellent. Great to hear a song you are familiar with have a few twists and turns you don’t expect at a live show. It helps keep things lively and engages the musician’s mind. What an awesomely idealistic anthem this is ….LOVE IS ALL AROUND YOU” It would be so cool if it was a reality. I heard echoes, reverbaration and reflections from the past. There is a definite 1960’s feel to this song. I used to listen to this song with my girlfriend. At least if love wasn’t everywhere around me, it could be there in the room, right next to me.
The 10th Song was “What you Give” Track # 10 off the 1991 release, “Psychotic Supper” The Acoustic Intro was EXACT. What an inspiring song. It was always another one of my favorites by them. Right up there with “EZ Cum EZ Go”. (which they, unfotunately didn’t play) I listened, wondering, did these lyrics always speak to me? Whenever I hear a song that has real meaning for me, I truly and deeply appreciate it.
Jeff Keith talked a little about the 1st big arena they ever played and how it was right here in New Haven, CT in 1986 as the opening act for David Lee Roth and how they loved the East Coast of the good ‘ole US of A.
The 11th Song they played was “Sonic Emotion” track # 5 from “Psychotic Supper”
Tesla is really faithful to performing their songs true to their original recordings sound.
It is a testament to their true Rock ‘n Roll hearts and souls. No tricks. No gimmicks
Just pure, in your face, rock ‘n roll.
The 13th Song was “Heaven Trail (No Way Out)” track # 3 from “Great Radio Controversy” They Changed the Intro up a little, sounded good and thick, heavy, driving Got the WAH-WAH on the end.
Jeff changed the close a little bit with……..ready to kick ass…….
Anytime
Anyplace
Anywhere
Made me chuckle..cool…keep them little changes coming guys.
The 14th Song was “Freedom Slaves” track # 8 from “Psychotic Supper”
Some of the lyrics to this song go like this “Pledge Allegiance to your flag”
“GOOD REASONS FOR BEING MAD”
I took a short break outside for a smoke and some of the fellows
were talking about the new guitar playing not being up to par……
Sour grapes bro’. They sounded great!
When everyone else was doing Glam – Thrash – Double Bass Insanity
Tesla was rocking It out. They stayed true to their roots
They played a Zepplin cover Song and a Foghat cover
The 17th Song was “Signs” off the “Five Man Acoustic Jam”.
Seemed like they kind of went into a Medley. The song was done electric not acoustic.
It was really cool to hear it electric, not like the album. The whole crowd is singing along
It definitley sounded a lot different, Fuller – Louder and a little faster. Spot on with the vocals.
That was the Show’s Finale. 2 minutes of screaming by the crowd
Brought the band back out with Jeff announcing “We’re Gonna Play 2 more for you”
The 1st Encore Song was Robin Trower’s “Day of the Eagle” (not the Dove)
Frank was playing it on the Flying V. AWESOME! He totally nailed it! Note for note, harmonics, reverb the whole bag. When and where else are you going to hear anyone play Trower this well?
The 2nd Encore Song and Last Song of the night was “Edison’s Medicine” track # 2 from “Psychotic Supper”. Like every song of the night, big sound, tight, faithfully reproduced. What more could you ask for.
In wrapping this up, if you are already a fan and familiar with Tesla, go see them, get the second disc at the show, reminisce about the good old days of Rock ‘n Roll and Heavy Metal before Grunge came along and have a BLAST. If you aren’t too familiar with Tesla, check out some of their original work before passing judgement on them for doing a 2-Disc set of covers. You will come away with a feeling of respect for a group of musician’s that were not only technically talented but who also wrote some really great songs. If they are back in the New England Area again, either now or later, I’ll go out of my way to attend the show.
Take care everyone. Until the next review. Party On!
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