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THE BAND
- Ronnie James Dio - Vocals
- Tony Iommi - Guitar
- Geezer Butler - Bass
- Vinny Appice - Drums
- Scott Warren - Keyboards
SET LIST
- E5150
- After All (The Dead)
- Mob Rules
- Children Of The Sea
- Lady Evil
- I
- The Sign Of The Southern Cross
- Voodoo
- The Devil Cried
- Drum Solo
- Computer God
- Falling Off The Edge Of The World
- Shadow Of The Wind
- Guitar Solo
- Die Young
- Heaven And Hell
- Neon Knights (encore)
CONCERT PHOTO GALLERY
None yet. Have any? Submit 'em!.
FAN SUBMITTED TOUR REVIEWS & REMARKS
from Eric Goldberg <egoldberg@hubgroup.com>
to siegler@black-sabbath.com
date May 18, 2007 8:25 PM
subject Review of H&H at the Tsongas Arena, Lowell, Ma on Thursday, May
17, 2007
Having just seen and met the band at the
Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT just two nights before, I could not help
but think that this night would be something of a let-down. It was not:
this band never disappoints.
After meeting a few friends for dinner and a few beers at a local pub,
we walked to the arena. They had what they said was a strict policy of
not allowing cameras, so I had put my camera into my boot, and snuck it
in. The photos I took this night are literally bootlegs.
Machine Head were almost done, but we heard all of "Let Freedom Ring"
during which a roadie gave a cymbal tap while the drummer took a rest
for a beat or two. It was really quite comical.
Megadeth were on fire. Mustaine was much more vocal and animated than he
had been two nights before. Although he had run all over the stage then,
now he was even more energized, perhaps because this was a general
admission floor with no seats.
I was right up front for Sabbath / H&H when the lights went down after a
roadie in the rigging had to change a malfunctioning light, but the band
began nearly on time. This time, instead of being in front of Tony, I
was much closer to Geezer, so I got a good show from him this time.
Also, being in front of Geezer may have made Tony's guitar less present
and articulate, sometimes even muddy. If anyone else saw this show form
a different vantage point, please let me know what you though of Tony's
and the band's sound that night.
The taped E5150 led right into "After All". Dio was in all black, as
opposed to wearing the white shirt that he wore for the first half of
the show the last two time I saw them on this tour (3/30 in NY and 5/15
in CT); he did not change his clothes once.During the show there had
been sporadic chants of "Dio" , so I called out for "Tony", "Geezer" and
"Black Sabbath" (Sorry, Vinny, but you were so far back....)
Ronnie mentioned that many people had expected them to begin the show
with this next song: "The Mob Rules", during which tony and Vinny smiled
at one another and Ronnie laughed visibly. How great to see such a
powerful and tight band being relaxed enough while creating this music.
"Children of the Sea" found Geezer right at home playing what are some
of my favorite of his bass licks and fills.
"Lady Evil" (the song about the very bad female person) was next again
with Geezer leading the way and carrying much of the rhythm of the song.
Dio did his trademark spinning of the mike stand and during the solo
seemed a little tired. It was an appearance that was very short-lived.
When "I" started rocking, so did the pit. After the song, Tony and
Ronnie each pointed to the other in recognition and appreciation.
Ronnie introduced the next song as always being heavily requested, and
"Sign of the Southern Cross" exceeded expectations. Tony went to the
drum riser to hang with Vinny during the verses.
"Voodoo" was called the "pin cushion song" and brought along the night's
first crowd surfers. Tony and Ronnie laughed together as Ronnie crossed
the stage, and Tony went to Geezer's side of the stage to stand next to
him and play. What a sight! Geezer's fills during the last extended solo
were blistering and tasteful: he always knows exactly what the song
needs and delivers it with passion, grace, and fire.
"The Devil Cried" was next, and again I noticed more bass fills that I
hadn't noticed on the studio recording. I'll have to give it another
listen.
"Vinny Appice", Dio exclaimed in a voice treated with heavy effects to
sound like that of the Devil himself, and so began the drum solo which
featured Vinny accompanied by Scott Warren on keyboards whom I could see
at the front corner of stage right (nearest to Geezer). I think this was
when I noticed that Vinny sometimes held the stick in his right hand
between his middle and ring fingers.
"Computer God" followed the drum solo. I have really come to appreciate
this song more, despite the lyrics which I had always thought were a
little hokey. I think it was towards the end of this song that Ronnie
was repeatedly singing "yeah" in such a way as to bring to mind Steven
Tyler.
"Falling off the Edge of the World" was phenomenal. Could it possibly be
otherwise?
"Shadow of the Wind" had funny almost sloppy ending, but was otherwise
effectively and skilfully played. This slower heavy number has again
come to grow on me more after hearing it live a few times.
During the extended intro to "Die Young", Tony played some fast licks
and made faces that were reminiscent of BB King when bending notes and
really feeling it. At the end of the intro, Tony nodded almost in
pleased self-assurance. If that was the case, it was certainly well
deserved. Vinny missed a punch during the song, but he was hitting the
drums so hard it was unbelievable that he is able to keep this kind of
power up every night. Ronnie waved to the fans up high and to one side,
and seemed to enjoy the adulation he received in response. Why not?
hasn't he earned it? (I know I would love to be able to be in his
position for a night or two.)
"Heaven and Hell" began with us singing the riff before we were asked
to. We were only too happy to continue to oblige Ronnie's request.
Ronnie took a few minutes to ad lib some lyrics between the first and
second verses. Before the third verse, Ronnie was standing behind
Geezer, almost hiding behind him without his knowledge: it was strange
and funny. Then Ronnie seemed to describe to Geezer how a crowd surfer
had fallen into a gap in the crowd below him. (I've been there: it hurts
falling on the concrete ground below.) During the solo, Ronnie left the
stage for the second time (the first time being during the drum solo).
The solo found Tony and Vinny syncopating together while Geezer held the
song together and created counterpoint. The solo built using alternating
high leads and then letting the open E string ring. (I believe it is
tuned down a step to D.) This led to a wild Jam with Geezer playing like
a madman and Tony getting some nice feedback before letting the music
come crashing back to its slower pace. The echoing solo built again
before punching to a climax with the fast section. One of my friends
told me he preferred of the song just ended like it does on the studio
version, without going back into the opening riff, but I like the sense
of closure that comes with full circle.
The only encore was "Neon Knights", and that is such a great way to end
the show. Vinny played his sticks with the flashing tips, at least one
of which he threw into the audience after the show. Tony took hands full
of picks from his pockets and threw them to us. My friend was lucky
enough to get one and generous (foolish?) enough to give it to me.
As we walked to our cars, one of my friends said that he thought Ronnie
sounded much better after the break he took during the drum solo. I
didn't notice him not sounding so well before then, but I may have been
a little too caught up in the excitement to notice.
I will send you some emails with pics from this show for your pleasure
and posting (if you see fit).
Thanks again for keeping my favorite web site going so strong and for
keeping me so well informed on my favorite band,
from john thomas <chowderheads316@yahoo.com>
to siegler@black-sabbath.com
date May 18, 2007 7:08 PM
subject may 17 review Hi Went to
tsongas arena last night. Awesome show !!! Set list same as most (no Ear
in the Wall).
Machine head Sucks. As my son put it, loud for the sake of being loud.
I'm not a big Megadeth fan, but they were good. Very tight as a band,
Mustaine sounded great. Sabbath rules!!! Came on about 9:05pm, rocked
til almost 11pm. Great set, lighting, sound. Dio proved he still has it,
as loud as Sab was , he was still clear and strong. Geezer and Tony
proved why they are rock majesty. And Appice's solo was only 3 minutes
or so, which is just about enough. I thought Born Again was the loudest
concert I had been to, But last night was right there. Just Awesome!!!!!
from William Bordeleau <b1essedwarrior@yahoo.com>
to siegler@black-sabbath.com
date May 18, 2007 9:39 PM
subject May 17th setlist and review
Here's my personal review for the May
17th Heaven and Hell show at the Paul Tsongas Arena in Lowell, Mass.
Despite the notoriously weak acoustics at
this venue, (probably due to the flat ceiling) Heaven and Hell, and Co.
pulled off a spectacular set to a nearly sold out crowd of ten-thousand.
Dio appeared more energetic than I can ever remember; his interaction
with Tony, Geezer, and Vinnie was awesome. They really seemed to be
getting along well.
The stage was like an outdoor cathedral
that sometimes appeared mysteriously interdemensional as the lighting
only revealed selected dimensions for you to see. And the usage of
holigraphic imagery was superb. The upcomming Live CD/DVD will be a
must-have for the passionate, and passive Sabbath fan alike.
from "jamx67@comcast.net" <jamx67@comcast.net>
to siegler@black-sabbath.com
date May 20, 2007 12:54 PM
subject Concert Setlist & Review - Heaven & Hell (Live @ Tsongas Arena -
Lowell, MA)(5-17-07)
This concert certainly lived up to the
hype and then some! (Whether it be RJD./etc..) whatever historic version
of this band actually plays in the Boston area, all the shows are
usually superb and close to flawless INMOP! It was truly a
pleasure to have the opportunity to finally go see this version of
Sabbath history! Ronnie James Dio's voice was awesome throughout the
show. His voice never faltered and he sang most of the songs as
true to the studio versions as possible (Really nice to hear from the
elder of the bunch)! Tony Iommi and and Geezer Butler never missed a
beat, lick or rift throughout their A+ performances! Vinny Appice played
great all night long and being a reactional drummer myself, it was a
thrill to watch how he actually played all the songs from start to
finish!
The audience was definitely into the show especially when RJD. called
for the stage lights to shine out over the crowd (Let's see those faces
out there!). The stage set itself definitely had that errie, gothic,
live evil appeal that has been well documented throughout the tour. A
couple of occassions during the show there was some fantastic dry ice
effects that exploded upward, most notable after Vinny Appice's drum
solo. Some of the Dehumanizer tracks seemed a bit unfamiliar to some,
but most knew them. "The Devil Cried" appeared to be the weak link of
the set for many this evening, but like the other songs was heavier and
still enjoyable! The entire setlist was a highlight for me! Falling Of
The Edge Of The World & Die Young w./Tony Iommi's guitar intro. got my
vote for the must see favorites played! Of course, I can't speak for the
other's who saw Heaven And Hell elsewhere, but if the Radio City Music
gig sounded as awesome as this concert did, the DVD/CD set coming out
soon will be simply tremendous!
Overall, thank you Tony, Geezer, Ronnie, and Vinny for yet another (A+)
stellar performance for the fans of surrounding MA area. There is still
no doubt in my mind that Heaven And Hell and the Sabbath legacy will
continue and always give anyone in today's rock industry a major run for
the money anytime, anywhere! |
