Glass Harp at the Agora, Cleveland, OH

Glass Harp @ the Agora
Saturday, May 11, 2002
Cleveland, OH

Review by Joe Petelin

Hi all PK/ G.H. Listers!

I'm writing under pressure here from Neal and Stybba - frantically trying to make time to write my review!!!!

I wanted to post something sooner, but we had a super busy weekend amidst mother's day (visiting my and Cathy's mothers), our niece's First Communion, working on Saturday, and a Sunday church service.

Ah--- It was great to hear GH in our own backyard, (Cleveland that is) for a change at the Agora.

Cathy and I had never been to the former opera house theatre and yes of course, it was G.H. that brought us there. (In the 70's though, we visited the old Agora near CSU, my alma mater, frequently.) Several weeks ago Cathy and I made our first trip to the Gund arena to see Macca. Yes - it takes the finest gigs to get us out of the house for a concert!

Well GH and friends didn't have a set list and I didn't keep one either. Guess I was just too involved in it all - sort of mesmerized sitting in the front row of a GH concert with Cathy, my friend Todd, GH Special Friends and long time childhood & family friends and co- workers sitting in the audience.

It was a good old rock n roll jam at its finest with a few acoustic tunes, PK songs, Cream/Clapton greats and Beatles songs. And a new GH song was introduced – can't remember the name of it, but it was great. My favorites this evening were It Makes Me Glad trilogy (I can never hear enough of David & Goliath, Going Home and Do Lord), John the Revelator, What A Day, Southbound (though I missed the flute), You Have My Heart, Crosssroads, and This Boy.

I agree with Jane Skon, the sax playing by Matt Corey was exceptional - interjecting a gutsy, colorful flavor into the mix,
brief but awesome musical bolts of energy targeted at the listeners. Wow! Chris Queen played with a lot of class while accompanying the trio and taking charge on occasion with some nice solos. Guest guitar jammer Alex joined in on a few songs and added some flair, youthfully prancing about on stage and swinging his long hair lock roundabout while playing some exuberant guitar licks. His sister came on stage to add a nice touch on some background vocalizing and then did a wonderful job singing Amazing Grace. Great Voice! Alex's joy at playing with GH and with his sister singing just radiated through the audience.

I never heard anyone play Crossroads as well as it was played tonight. Just unbelievable---- It was as good if not better than the original recording by Clapton. The vocals on the Beatles "This Boy" were out of this world with the trio teaming up on one mic, at Potterick's shouted request. Even the Beatles would have appreciated hearing it the way it was sung and played with Phil leading the way on guitar!

I heard part of the new song Eastern Star (?) during the pre-concert rehearsal and dinner and liked what I heard. As I mentioned before, GH introduced another song during the concert, too. Cathy and I would like to hear these two songs again and of course more of the new upcoming material. Thanks for another great show guys.

We had a great time connecting with out-of-town listers for this concert. It was great seeing you Roman and Julie, Rick and Regina, Bill & Jean and Bill Jr., (who came home from college to meet Sr. and Mom to attend the concert). Jane & Jim Skon, Mike Gerski, Mike Brown from Channel 19/Parma, Clay & Jenny from Columbus - (soon to be listers). Hopefully we can do another GH or PK concert again soon. Neal - we really missed seeing you at the concert.

It was nice chatting briefly with Phil during the pre-concert meal. Cathy was very pleased to meet Phil's wife Bernadette for the first time. Also, Cathy and I met John's wife Val for the first time. We enjoyed reminiscing about spinning GH LP's when I was back in high school. Best wishes to you Val. It was nice meeting your friend at the table also.

Our friend, Todd, enjoyed the show and especially the song You Have My Heart. Todd had Good Vibrations throughout the evening from all the friendly GH fans, the spirited improvisational music and the convenient tasty finger food served at the dinner. Todd also enjoyed hearing John's drum solo since he personally played drums in school at one time. And of course he never expected to have an opportunity to meet Phil Keaggy or any of the GH trio when I first invited him to the concert.

Cathy enjoyed talking with drum tech Chris Bell and of course our mutual Cleveland friends who attended and managed to get the side balcony seats to enjoy a great view of the concert. Cathy looked for Reuben at table #12 but couldn't find him during intermission. Hope to meet you one of these days, Reuben!

Best wishes to all! God Bless You.

Joe Petelin

- Read the review by Jane Skon
- Read the review by Reuben Donald Budiardja
- Photos, mp3's and video clips from this show are here.