http://localmusicvibe.com/content/homet ... e-fillmore
By Ellen Elizabeth on Sun, 03/28/2010 - 12:41pm
in Bay Area
Last night at the legendary Fillmore in San Franciso I was lucky enough to have a front row view of our hometown boys The Neal Schon Band. I hadn't seen Neal Schon perform since he played there with his band several years ago with Jeff Scott Soto. This time around, Neal is being accompanied by his son Miles Schon on guitar ([the apple does not fall too far from the tree people!), Marco Mendoza on bass, Prairie Prince on drums, Keith St. John on lead vocals, and the incrediblly talented John Varn on keys. The energy and smiles that were coming off that stage made me feel as though I was part of history. Seeing the interaction and pride in Neal's face when he introduced his son Miles was priceless.
They are definitely one talented & proud family. You get the idea that they are all about having fun and flying through the air on heavenly guitar riffs and heart pounding bass guitar & drum beats, beautiful keyboard melodies, and soaring vocals.
There were many highlights of the show. It was hard to believe two and a half hours went by - it felt like an hour because it was just that damn good! The night started with Miles & John doing a sweet little solo set and then inviting their own bass player Tim Baker from The Miles Schon Band onstage to rip out a few of their own original songs. You should have seen their faces ~ I call it smiles the size of Texas! I especially loved the Jimi Hendrix song they did! I mean it was all beautiful & amazing to see and hear. The fact that these guys are so young in their early twenties with such great talent and playing at The Fillmore leaves me certain that they are all going to be big stars. The other fact that they hang out and party with us one night at our own little favorite hometown venue Peri's in Fairfax and the next night we see them smiling to us from the stage at The Fillmore tells us they are still just our friends from Marin having a good time!
Yes, you get the feeling they are family. That they are a close knit band, truly engaged and happy to be playing together and felt as though they have all known each other for a lifetime. They did a song about "Our Hometown" and I remember feeling chills running over my body thinking that I have grown up all my life with Neal Schon's music in my ears. From the days of Journey and through the years there was definitely a sense of nostalgia of the past & the present coming together in beautiful harmony. I mean you just aren't from the Bay if you don't love Neal Schon...just sayin!
Another highlight for me was when Marco did some incredible scat singing on one of the songs. His fingers were flying on the neck of his bass, his feet were dancing so quickly as to imagine him on air, and his vocals were flying out of his mouth at a rip rocking pace - that was a WOW for me of the night for sure. Big kudos to Marco - I really had no idea and am looking forward to seeing more from him in the future- A M A Z I N G!
Drummer Prairie Prince I know has been around a very long time and now I know why. Yeah, drums the size of Texas! I know I already used that term about the smiling but the drums tooooo...lol!!!! What can I say except that Prairie holds it down back there and the endings of the songs, yes the endings of the songs perfectly and precisely orchestrated was a bit like teazing the audience. Like just when you think the song is over it's not and then you see them looking at each other with those looks that band members do to tell each other ok NOW and then the ending explodes with power and force and the audience shouts and screams for more
Lead singer Keith is a force of light & pure sex appeal with the voice of a man angel flying us to heaven. His soaring vocals took me to places that I dream, although at few times it was a bit hard to hear him over the clang of electric guitars. I want to hear more of Keith! Yes, this man is sexy, hot, talented and just darn cute...yes i said cute! That's the heart of the matter and he sounds awesome, what more can a girl ask for in a rock singer!
Now our own little hometown John on the keys is a wonder and delight. John has a certain stage presence that is magic all on his own. Whether he is playing at a little bar or nightclub or now up on that big stage you know that he is having a blast a minute. Last night his fingers looked as though they were floating on the keys and cranking out the most beautiful and rocking melodies. I always tell John I love how his playing fills in all the spaces. Last night John was on fire, expertly weaving his keyboard magic into every song. I felt as though he was just one with the music ~ like the music fills his soul and every fiber of his being comes through up there. It's like his key boards are his dancing partner as he rocks and sways and flings his head back and forth with the force of the music. Definitely pure joy coming from that gorgeous boy!
There were moments in the night that is was hard to tell Miles from his father. Not to say that Miles is just like his dad, he is definitely not. Miles will have his own star on the walk of fame that is certain. I find Miles to be a bit more on the bluesy soulful side of rock. There were moments that he looked just like Neal though. Some of his mannerism's and guitar style are for certainly in his genes and that is a great gift! Miles played several different beautiful shiny guitars and seemed to be there to support his father in all the right places. He had his moments in the spotlight too where he ripped and shredded through heart wrenching solos with all eyes on him. I don't know how many times I heard "Awwwwww" coming from the audience (myself included). He just has a sweet way about him that makes you feel warm, from his beautiful smile to his relaxed stage presence and undenying good looks to the way he handles his guitars like best friends that have been with him his entire life!
Then we have the big guns - the big daddy of guitar players of all time as far as I am concerned. I think Neal Schon just may be the best rock guitar player of modern times!
I have never ever seen anyone's fingers move like that - the speed of light - YEAH! I was reminded why Journey is and has been one of the biggest and most popular bands of all time. Neal Schon is the longest standing member of Journey. He was like the proud papa last night with his son next to him and his best friends beside him. He took us to the Milky Way of Rock n Roll heaven last night - I dont even know what more to say, except that Neal is a rock god and deserves to play at the Super Bowl...lol...I have seen a facebook group about that and now I am going to become a fan of that cause!
Last night was a historical night of Bay Area Rock & Roll and I am blessed and grateful to have been there to experience the love and magic that is The Neal Schon Band. we <3 you guys! ~ anything is possible, I am certain ~ "DON'T STOP BELIEVING"
3-27-10
12-1-81
