OT-- Steve Smith tour

[Saint John]

My head hurts.

I wonder why. Cain WAS right!

[Rhiannon]

My head hurts.

It's all the toxic gases you were huffing.

[Tito]

Tito you are the shits. Nice talkin to you.i cant beleve you only had one thing for smitty to sign??Were was your ROR Drum bass drum head?I know you had one in the Malibu fucker

No, but when Saint John saw the saxes he also yelled, "Positive Touch."

[Saint John]

My head hurts.

It's all the toxic gases you were huffing.

Tito's car got punkede last night. Especially after we went to White Castle.

[Rhiannon]

It was a blast though... Smitty's drumming was a big blur of arms and sticks. Jazz shows and rock shows are two different things, of course, so yelling "Mother, Father" and "Separate Ways" might've gone over like a lead balloon.

I was looking for security to throw out Saint John when he said that.

Ok Mister "I'm close to standing up and shouting Steve Smith on Drums".

[Saint John]

Tito you are the shits. Nice talkin to you.i cant beleve you only had one thing for smitty to sign??Were was your ROR Drum bass drum head?I know you had one in the Malibu fucker

No, but when Saint John saw the saxes he also yelled, "Positive Touch."

I thought they were taking requests.

[Rhiannon]

My head hurts.

It's all the toxic gases you were huffing.

Tito's car got punkede last night. Especially after we went to White Castle.

Riding in a car with you with the windows rolled up is anybody's first mistake...

[Tito]

It was a blast though... Smitty's drumming was a big blur of arms and sticks. Jazz shows and rock shows are two different things, of course, so yelling "Mother, Father" and "Separate Ways" might've gone over like a lead balloon.

I was looking for security to throw out Saint John when he said that.

Ok Mister "I'm close to standing up and shouting Steve Smith on Drums".

But I didn't. Don't get me wrong it took all of my control to stop from doing it. If the song would've ended at that point, I may have. And it would've been well deserved and warranted.

[Tito]

My head hurts.

It's all the toxic gases you were huffing.

Tito's car got punkede last night. Especially after we went to White Castle.

Riding in a car with you with the windows rolled up is anybody's first mistake...

They were down believe me. My car still stunk this morning.

[Tito]

Tito, if you say Steve Smith is a good man, we'll believe you.

Top notch drummer too.

He's a good man. I see a pattern developing. Schon, Cain, Valory, Castronovo, Augeri, Rolie, and now Smith all confirmed good people. Hmmm... who am I missing? That's not good for you know who.

P.S. Deb I'm not talking about Soto.

[Rhiannon]

They were down believe me. My car still stunk this morning.

There's something dead and rotting in there. Gotta be.

[Rhiannon]

He's a good man. I see a pattern developing. Schon, Cain, Valory, Castronovo, Augeri, Rolie, and now Smith all confirmed good people. Hmmm... who am I missing? That's not good for you know who.

P.S. Deb I'm not talking about Soto.

Smitty was an awesome man. Very nice, kind of aloof, but more than happy to sign stuff and take pictures. Even helps his own road crew and merch people. Pretty cool of him.

[Tito]

He's a good man. I see a pattern developing. Schon, Cain, Valory, Castronovo, Augeri, Rolie, and now Smith all confirmed good people. Hmmm... who am I missing? That's not good for you know who.

P.S. Deb I'm not talking about Soto.

Smitty was an awesome man. Very nice, kind of aloof, but more than happy to sign stuff and take pictures. Even helps his own road crew and merch people. Pretty cool of him.

I wouldn't say he was aloof at all.

[Saint John]

To the best of my knowledge he only gave out one drumstick last night. Did you sleep with it, Tito?

PS It's not a thermometer.

[Saint John]

"Good luck getting that one."

[Tito]

To the best of my knowledge he only gave out one drumstick last night. Did you sleep with it, Tito?

PS It's not a thermometer.

No...because it was autographed.

That will be part of my detailed report. Coming soon. Let me get a little work done first (for a change).

[Rhiannon]

"Good luck getting that one."

(Truer words, never spoken.)

[Tito]

To the best of my knowledge he only gave out one drumstick last night. Did you sleep with it, Tito?

PS It's not a thermometer.

I have an addendum to make, which SteveW will love. I actually fell asleep listening to Jonathan Cain's Where I Live CD last night.

Very good CD I may say. Full review next week after a few more spins.

[Rhiannon]

I actually fell asleep listening to Jonathan Cain's Where I Live CD last night.

Hehehe... awww. Glad it's finally getting some use.

[DrFU]

you guys leave BJG passed out somewhere?

[Rhiannon]

you guys leave BJG passed out somewhere?

She's just started at a new company... still trying to find her comfort "how can I get away with MR at work" zone.

[Tito]

Very, Very Detailed report: Steve Smith's Jazz Legacy at Martyrs - Chicago, Illinois 10/9/08

Yesterday, I picked up Saint John and we went up to the North Side of Chicago to catch a true living legend, Steve Smith. On our way up to the show, as we drove through the north side, we were making fun of all the creeps, losers, freaks, and yuckie people. Anyway, we arrived at the venue and surprisingly I got FREE street parking in Chicago. Holy shit!

We were the first people to arrive at the place. As we walked in who did we see. Yep, the man himself, Steve Smith. He was enjoying a nice chicken quesadilla (one of the few normal items on the menu) dinner from Marytrs . I would like to note proper etiquette was used by Saint John and Tito. We did NOT go up to him during his meal or at anytime before the show for that matter. We gave him his space. Plus, I didn't have my stuff to get signed on me. j/k Steve did nod to me as he left with some band members to go get a Starbucks coffee down the street. I nodded back and SJ made fun of me. Later on, I went to take a leak as I was walking back not paying attention I almost ran over a returning Steve Smith. "I'm sorry. Excuse me!," embarrassed and frightened I said as I almost ran over and took out a living legend. "No problem," he replied. Soon we would be joined by fellow mass Melodic Rock posters Rhiannon and Blue Jean Girl. We are also treated to a phone call by T-Time and the first of many SteveW2 calls.

The show begins and not an empty seat in the place. Look at him, there he is, Steve Smith playing drums. BJG is hyperventilating. Although Jazz is not my thing I am intrigued by Steve Smith's playing. SJ sees the two saxophones and saids "Positive Touch." Mind you SJ isn't totally in the bag yet but this would be the first of many "interesting" comments. I turn around and say don't treat him like SteveW treats Jon Cain. Show respect plus he didn't play on Positive Touch. After he plays a few songs, he tells us the song titles which I don't know off hand so I can't share with you. Sorry. I think he basically played all of Steve Smith's Jazz Legacy Volume 1 and a good chunk of Volume 2. Steve cracks a few jokes too. He continues to play and words cannot describe how good he is. I did hear a little part of the drum solo from the Houston '81 DVD during one of the songs. This guy is amazing and I'm not even a drummer. He plays several more songs and talks about the songs. Again, if your a jazz fan, you would blow your load with this performance. After this, Steve takes a break and stands by the merchandise stand the whole time willing to sign anything. Now the fun begins.

I ran out to my Uhaul and back it up to the door. Just kidding. Steve is signing and taking pictures with the fans. BJG has her Escape LP signed, the guy running the merchandise stand jokes, "Is that any good?" We laugh. Tito's turn. I would like to note I had ONLY ONE thing signed, my Time 3 book. He was very gracious and said, "Oh you got all the boys on here." "I still have to get a few," I responded. Then, I took a nice photo with the man and shook his hand. See I'm not nuts people, excluding this post. I think we were the only ones with Journey stuff, the rest were true Steve Smith fans.

The second set begins and by now Saint John is officially bombed. At various points during the second set we hear SJ make requests for, "Mother, Father," "Seperate Ways," "Open Arms," Positive Touch (again)," "After The Fall," "Stone In Love," and many more. I'm waiting to get kicked out by some point. The second set is as good as the first one. He did another solo and this is by far the best solo I have seen live or on tape. This guy is truly #1. Neil Peart couldn't carry Steve's drums on his best day. Again, I'm not familiar with the set list. I believe he played Volume 2 but I could be wrong. He does one encore and still the fans want more. The crowd is chanting, "One more song. One more song." SJ throws out a few more requests.

After the show, Smith is standing by the merchandise stand willing to bullsh-t or sign stuff for anyone. Tito sees a highly intoxicated SJ and decides to take advantage of him (not that way SteveW!). "SJ go up to Smith and ask a Journey question," I say. It didn't take much to get SJ to do that. He goes up to Smith and I can't hear what is being said. All I know Smith is looking around with this look like where is security. He doesn't know if he should shit or go blind. Smith takes off. At first, I'm like wtf did you say but then I quickly realize Smith is getting a drumstick from the show. After awhile, he returns with drumstick in hand. SJ returns to the table with the drumstick and a new Smith CD. I was like what did you ask? This is the best part of the evening. hahahaha LOL LOL When SJ went up to Smith he said, "Here's $20 can I get a drum stick from the show?" He tried buying/bribing for $20, a guy who can buy the whole room, to get a drumstick. Smith said, "I ain't gonna charge you for that. Hang on let me get one. Buy a CD or something for $15." I can't believe SJ tried giving Smith $20 for a drumstick. Anyway, SJ gave the drumstick and CD to me for driving his drunk ass around...again. Naturally, I see two more autograph opportunites. Figuring my quota has been met...again, Rhiannon got the two autographs for me. Thanks Rhi. Still I say, a Journey question(s) was not asked. Tito prods the drunk SJ, "go ask a Journey question." SJ again obliges. He asked a question but nothing material was asked or said. SJ could see Smith really didn't want to talk too much about Journey, so that was the end of that.

As we were leaving, a few other people from the show were outside and said, "Are you Steve Smith fans?" We said "we were Journey fans." They laughed figuring we are the type of group of people that go see his shows because he was in Journey. SJ and I get in my car and whoa...what died in here. Oh, that's right, SJ took my car to get chew. F-cker. On our way home we were treated to a couple of phone conversations with SteveW2. Another good guy. He didn't say the "F" word (for Cain) once.

In conclusion, this is an excellent show and definitely worth the $15. If you are a fan of jazz it is a must. If you are a fan of Smith it is a must. If you want an enjoyable and inexpensive evening out on the town it is a must. It is a unique and rare opportunity to see a living legend like that in such a intimate setting. Go see the man!

I'm sure BJG, SJ, and Rhiannon will add to this. I'm sure I forgot something.

[Michigan Girl]

LMAO!!!! VERY, VERY entertaining review!!!!
Backed your u-haul up....lol!!!
Good Job, Tito!!!

[Art Vandelay]

Very, Very Detailed report: Steve Smith's Jazz Legacy at Martyrs - Chicago, Illinois 10/9/08

Yesterday, I picked up Saint John and we went up to the North Side of Chicago to catch a true living legend, Steve Smith. On our way up to the show, as we drove through the north side, we were making fun of all the creeps, losers, freaks, and yuckie people. Anyway, we arrived at the venue and surprisingly I got FREE street parking in Chicago. Holy shit!

We were the first people to arrive at the place. As we walked in who did we see. Yep, the man himself, Steve Smith. He was enjoying a nice chicken quesadilla (one of the few normal items on the menu) dinner from Marytrs . I would like to note proper etiquette was used by Saint John and Tito. We did NOT go up to him during his meal or at anytime before the show for that matter. We gave him his space. Plus, I didn't have my stuff to get signed on me. j/k Steve did nod to me as he left with some band members to go get a Starbucks coffee down the street. I nodded back and SJ made fun of me. Later on, I went to take a leak as I was walking back not paying attention I almost ran over a returning Steve Smith. "I'm sorry. Excuse me!," embarrassed and frightened I said as I almost ran over and took out a living legend. "No problem," he replied. Soon we would be joined by fellow mass Melodic Rock posters Rhiannon and Blue Jean Girl. We are also treated to a phone call by T-Time and the first of many SteveW2 calls.

The show begins and not an empty seat in the place. Look at him, there he is, Steve Smith playing drums. BJG is hyperventilating. Although Jazz is not my thing I am intrigued by Steve Smith's playing. SJ sees the two saxophones and saids "Positive Touch." Mind you SJ isn't totally in the bag yet but this would be the first of many "interesting" comments. I turn around and say don't treat him like SteveW treats Jon Cain. Show respect plus he didn't play on Positive Touch. After he plays a few songs, he tells us the song titles which I don't know off hand so I can't share with you. Sorry. I think he basically played all of Steve Smith's Jazz Legacy Volume 1 and a good chunk of Volume 2. Steve cracks a few jokes too. He continues to play and words cannot describe how good he is. I did hear a little part of the drum solo from the Houston '81 DVD during one of the songs. This guy is amazing and I'm not even a drummer. He plays several more songs and talks about the songs. Again, if your a jazz fan, you would blow your load with this performance. After this, Steve takes a break and stands by the merchandise stand the whole time willing to sign anything. Now the fun begins.

I ran out to my Uhaul and back it up to the door. Just kidding. Steve is signing and taking pictures with the fans. BJG has her Escape LP signed, the guy running the merchandise stand jokes, "Is that any good?" We laugh. Tito's turn. I would like to note I had ONLY ONE thing signed, my Time 3 book. He was very gracious and said, "Oh you got all the boys on here." "I still have to get a few," I responded. Then, I took a nice photo with the man and shook his hand. See I'm not nuts people, excluding this post. I think we were the only ones with Journey stuff, the rest were true Steve Smith fans.

The second set begins and by now Saint John is officially bombed. At various points during the second set we hear SJ make requests for, "Mother, Father," "Seperate Ways," "Open Arms," Positive Touch (again)," "After The Fall," "Stone In Love," and many more. I'm waiting to get kicked out by some point. The second set is as good as the first one. He did another solo and this is by far the best solo I have seen live or on tape. This guy is truly #1. Neil Peart couldn't carry Steve's drums on his best day. Again, I'm not familiar with the set list. I believe he played Volume 2 but I could be wrong. He does one encore and still the fans want more. The crowd is chanting, "One more song. One more song." SJ throws out a few more requests.

After the show, Smith is standing by the merchandise stand willing to bullsh-t or sign stuff for anyone. Tito sees a highly intoxicated SJ and decides to take advantage of him (not that way SteveW!). "SJ go up to Smith and ask a Journey question," I say. It didn't take much to get SJ to do that. He goes up to Smith and I can't hear what is being said. All I know Smith is looking around with this look like where is security. He doesn't know if he should shit or go blind. Smith takes off. At first, I'm like wtf did you say but then I quickly realize Smith is getting a drumstick from the show. After awhile, he returns with drumstick in hand. SJ returns to the table with the drumstick and a new Smith CD. I was like what did you ask? This is the best part of the evening. hahahaha LOL LOL When SJ went up to Smith he said, "Here's $20 can I get a drum stick from the show?" He tried buying/bribing for $20, a guy who can buy the whole room, to get a drumstick. Smith said, "I ain't gonna charge you for that. Hang on let me get one. Buy a CD or something for $15." I can't believe SJ tried giving Smith $20 for a drumstick. Anyway, SJ gave the drumstick and CD to me for driving his drunk ass around...again. Naturally, I see two more autograph opportunites. Figuring my quota has been met...again, Rhiannon got the two autographs for me. Thanks Rhi. Still I say, a Journey question(s) was not asked. Tito prods the drunk SJ, "go ask a Journey question." SJ again obliges. He asked a question but nothing material was asked or said. SJ could see Smith really didn't want to talk too much about Journey, so that was the end of that.

As we were leaving, a few other people from the show were outside and said, "Are you Steve Smith fans?" We said "we were Journey fans." They laughed figuring we are the type of group of people that go see his shows because he was in Journey. SJ and I get in my car and whoa...what died in here. Oh, that's right, SJ took my car to get chew. F-cker. On our way home we were treated to a couple of phone conversations with SteveW2. Another good guy. He didn't say the "F" word (for Cain) once.

In conclusion, this is an excellent show and definitely worth the $15. If you are a fan of jazz it is a must. If you are a fan of Smith it is a must. If you want an enjoyable and inexpensive evening out on the town it is a must. It is a unique and rare opportunity to see a living legend like that in such a intimate setting. Go see the man!

I'm sure BJG, SJ, and Rhiannon will add to this. I'm sure I forgot something.

Great post! The man is a genius and has taken his career and skills to levels that Journey alone would never have gotten him. Glad to see that you have gotten everything out of his show that I have gotten so many times...except for a drum stick

Oh, and for the record...he did play on Positive Touch. It was one of the few ROR tracks he played on.

Cheers!

[Michigan Girl]

Stories? Pics?

Pics:



Stories:

...Yes.

It was a blast though... Smitty's drumming was a big blur of arms and sticks. Jazz shows and rock shows are two different things, of course, so yelling "Mother, Father" and "Separate Ways" might've gone over like a lead balloon.

GREAT Photo, Rhi......Smitty is a cutie~pie!!!

[Saint John]

There was a guy there who was a professional drummer that commented "I go and see all kinds of drummers...the best of the best, and Steve Smith is the only one that gets better year after year and is constantly evolving. Man, he's the best I've ever seen and I've seen them all."

[Saint John]

Oh, and for the record...he did play on Positive Touch. It was one of the few ROR tracks he played on.

I knew it!!! Fuckin Tito, you asshole. Had I requested another time or two I bet he would have played it!!!

[bluejeangirl76]

The show begins and not an empty seat in the place. Look at him, there he is, Steve Smith playing drums. BJG is hyperventilating.

That is pretty much my whole review right there.
WOW! Hot show.
The man is a legend.

[Tito]

Oh, and for the record...he did play on Positive Touch. It was one of the few ROR tracks he played on.

Cheers!

I knew that was going to come back to bite me in my ass. I knew he played on a few of the tracks but I didn't research to recall which ones. I was hoping as I was typing that wasn't one of them. Damn, I was wrong.

[Art Vandelay]

How did the rest of the band sound?