Search - Kenny Loggins :: Outside From the Redwoods

Soft Bark

PHILIP S WOLF | SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA. USA | 12/08/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When Kenny Loogins started his solo quest in the late 1970's, gone were the country tones and back porch flavors that filled his music. Those things left with the departure Of Jimmy Messina. Kenny, discovered that cool pop and soft R & B stylings would put him right on the top of the pop charts next to Michael McDonald & Neil Diamond. Kenny, had a five year ride in the late seventies and early eighties as one of the crown princes of pop.



Kenny, also learned that to sell this music on the stages of the world, you need to entertain the audiences that came to see you and hear the hit songs. As Loggins & Messina would rock, they had little interaction with the kids. Kenny Loggins, the solo star faced adult audiences, that enjoyed the jokes and the vamping. Kenny, had left rock music behind, he was now in the entertainment industry of TV shows, movie soundtracks, duets with every singing star in the business, award shows and package tours that presented him on the biggest stages in the world.



This show near the back of the campus of UC Santa Cruz, was produced as a special event from his normal show in some enormodome that he normally performed. Special guests were brought in {Michael McDonald & Shanice} the band was like quicksilver, as it contained different musicians to suit the needs of each song performed. This is Kenny "Danger Zone" Loggins, but here Kenny isn't trying to be a 80's thrill ride for a bad action-adventure film. Kenny Loggins, has grown up here and it's not all about the flash and boom of the big show, this CD is about the music.



The hits are here: "Your Mama Don't Dance", "What A Fool Believes", "Angry Eyes", "Celebrate Me Home" "Footloose" & "I'm Alright".

What is different about this music is how Kenny has altered the arrangements of many of these well known tunes. "This Is It" is presented as: cool-blooze, with the amazing slide guitar of Sonny Landreth. This song is completly re-invented, and it is miles distant from top-forty pop cousin. "Angry Eyes" is just Kenny with Sonny on slide and Chris Rodriguez on guitar and vocals, it is great as well. "Celebrate Me Home", is for most folks, Kenny's best song, and in the redwoods, he performs the best version of this classic, that I have heard.



"What A Fool Believes" doesn't change much from it's original form, and with Kenny & Michael McDonald singing it, there is no need for change here. "If You Believe" whips out not one but TWO Choirs to bring home it's gospel. And that finger-snaping, gum-poppin' dance classic: "Footloose" is {AAAARRRGGGHHHH!!!} still: "Footloose". This 75 minute disc, raps up with a big, big version of: "I'm Alright" that brings out almost every musician from the entire show on stage. Kenny, plays it up with all he's got, as the music snakes through Cajun, R & B and finally to rave-up rock at the conclusion...get em' up outta the seats, let em' scream and dance...entertainment.



As I don't like everything presented here, there is something that would appeal to just about every taste within the length of this disc. Kenny Loggins, has learned and refined his role in music very well. This artist has had a sucessful career due to his cross-blending of many musicial styles. Kenny, knows what to present in concert to make the girls scream, the blue-haired ladies bop, and the rockers...rock. This is pop music that goes in many different directions and takes on many new shapes and forms. Kenny Loggins, is a master of his craft, like him or loath him, Kenny Loggins IS one of America's best performers, he will be around for awhile.

Four Stars!!!"