A full house, with limited standing room only tickets, was on hand tonight when Herb Alpert & Lani Hall performed at the Sharon Lynn Wilson Performing Arts Center in Brookfield, Wisconsin.
Brookfield is west of Milwaukee, and the entertainment complex is deep in the woods, with only a small sign on the main road to give directions. The Center holds around 1,200 and is rustic and classy at the same time. Herb expressed admiration for the large fireplace in the lobby.
Arriving an hour before show time, I approached the box office to find no seats available, but SRO tickets were available for $20. As there was ample space in the aisle near the front of the stage, this proved to be the best seat in the house.
Standing in the hallway was a man in a dark suit wearing tennis shoes with long gray hair. I recognized Herb immediately, introduced myself and told him of my long fanship and association with the Corner. He signed several LPs and CD sleeves I 'just happened to have' and posed for a couple of photos.
I did not get to speak to Lani, but her assistant graciously took some albums backstage for her to sign. Maybe I can meet her next time.
The show consisted of two 9-song sets divided by a 20-minute intermission. Onstage with the pair were Michael Shapiro (percussion), Bill Cantos (keyboards/vocals) and Hussain Jiffry (bass). Herb enjoyed playing conductor when the supporting players did solos.
SET ONE
Fascinating Rhythm -- Herb played muted horn
Para Raio
Besame Mucho -- uptempo with extended piano solo
That Old Black Magic
Dinorah
Paper Moon -- featured Herb's double-bell trumpet; one bell with a mute, and the other open
Let's Face the Music and Dance -- a Great Depression era standard
Morning Coffee -- composed by the pianist
I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face -- Herb sang, the played a riff from "This Guy's In Love With You" on the trumpet.
During intermission tracks from Wes Montgomery's A&M albums were broadcast in the theater. This was a nice tribute.
SECOND SET
Berimbau --- Lani on vocals; Herb with muted horn
Anything Goes --- the intro sounded a lot like Boyce & Hart's "In the Night"
A Taste of Honey-- done MIDNIGHT SUN style; Herb told how this was the "b" side of "Third Man Theme" but was the more popular of the two.
O Pato
I've Got You Under My Skin
Laura
(first encore) Jobim Medley: "Agua de Beber"/ "Quiet Nights"/ Triste/ One Note Samba - Spanish Flea
(second encore) Night And Day with a riff from "What Now My Love" at the end.
Herb told of fond memories of past visits to Milwaukee, including the TJB playing the State Fair and getting to meet Coach Vince Lombardi.
The venue is named after Sharon Lynn Wilson (1943-95), a community leader who died of breast cancer. Her husband donated over $1 million to its development.
I owe a great debt of gratitude to the ushers and box office staff, who made my SRO seat and getting to meet Herb possible. Without them, and Google Maps' Street Finder, I never would have found my way.
My being in the area is a happy coincidence. I've been at the Univ. of Chicago helping my daughter move into her dorm.
After a long day of lifting furniture and an invigorating swim in Lake Michigan at the 31st Street Beach, I hit the 50-cent toll road (I-94) for Milwaukee around 5 p.m. After some sight-seeing downtown, I had time to grab a Subway and find the venue before dark.
JB
Brookfield is west of Milwaukee, and the entertainment complex is deep in the woods, with only a small sign on the main road to give directions. The Center holds around 1,200 and is rustic and classy at the same time. Herb expressed admiration for the large fireplace in the lobby.
Arriving an hour before show time, I approached the box office to find no seats available, but SRO tickets were available for $20. As there was ample space in the aisle near the front of the stage, this proved to be the best seat in the house.
Standing in the hallway was a man in a dark suit wearing tennis shoes with long gray hair. I recognized Herb immediately, introduced myself and told him of my long fanship and association with the Corner. He signed several LPs and CD sleeves I 'just happened to have' and posed for a couple of photos.
I did not get to speak to Lani, but her assistant graciously took some albums backstage for her to sign. Maybe I can meet her next time.
The show consisted of two 9-song sets divided by a 20-minute intermission. Onstage with the pair were Michael Shapiro (percussion), Bill Cantos (keyboards/vocals) and Hussain Jiffry (bass). Herb enjoyed playing conductor when the supporting players did solos.
SET ONE
Fascinating Rhythm -- Herb played muted horn
Para Raio
Besame Mucho -- uptempo with extended piano solo
That Old Black Magic
Dinorah
Paper Moon -- featured Herb's double-bell trumpet; one bell with a mute, and the other open
Let's Face the Music and Dance -- a Great Depression era standard
Morning Coffee -- composed by the pianist
I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face -- Herb sang, the played a riff from "This Guy's In Love With You" on the trumpet.
During intermission tracks from Wes Montgomery's A&M albums were broadcast in the theater. This was a nice tribute.
SECOND SET
Berimbau --- Lani on vocals; Herb with muted horn
Anything Goes --- the intro sounded a lot like Boyce & Hart's "In the Night"
A Taste of Honey-- done MIDNIGHT SUN style; Herb told how this was the "b" side of "Third Man Theme" but was the more popular of the two.
O Pato
I've Got You Under My Skin
Laura
(first encore) Jobim Medley: "Agua de Beber"/ "Quiet Nights"/ Triste/ One Note Samba - Spanish Flea
(second encore) Night And Day with a riff from "What Now My Love" at the end.
Herb told of fond memories of past visits to Milwaukee, including the TJB playing the State Fair and getting to meet Coach Vince Lombardi.
The venue is named after Sharon Lynn Wilson (1943-95), a community leader who died of breast cancer. Her husband donated over $1 million to its development.
I owe a great debt of gratitude to the ushers and box office staff, who made my SRO seat and getting to meet Herb possible. Without them, and Google Maps' Street Finder, I never would have found my way.
My being in the area is a happy coincidence. I've been at the Univ. of Chicago helping my daughter move into her dorm.
After a long day of lifting furniture and an invigorating swim in Lake Michigan at the 31st Street Beach, I hit the 50-cent toll road (I-94) for Milwaukee around 5 p.m. After some sight-seeing downtown, I had time to grab a Subway and find the venue before dark.
JB
