Count Basie Show 5/21-Red Bank,NJ "All of Me"

[Wally from NJ]

Hello everyone,
My wife and I attended the debut of(and our first) Linda's new show"All of Me" last night at the Count Basie theater in Red Bank,NJ
We sat in the second row,on stage left and right in front of the speakers.I first thought the volume would be too much,but it worked out fine because of Linda's ability to control her voice at any volume. Her multi talented band rocked out on the first few numbers,but us being newbies to a LE show,knew no better than to sit back and enjoy.
Soon she brought a few "classics" into the room and she made us feel at home. During one of the pieces she missed a few lyrics,but no one fretted because she made light of it and moved on. A true pro.
Her "new" signature song "All of Me" was also seeing the evening for the first time and was good,but not great.Admittedly,Linda said this was the first time they had performed it live and again it was fine.
The "Basie" is a well known venue here in the Central NJ area with the likes of Kenny Rogers,Johnny Mathis and Bruce appearing here yearly. Linda filled the house with real,honest to God music that would cure the ills of most any one suffering from the pull of daily living.
I recomend a dose of Eder when you need something to cure your ills.

[rhymer]

Hi Wally,
I'm from Staten Island, N.Y., a mere 30 minutes from Red Bank. My husband and I were also at Linda's "All Of Me" concert (our second Linda concert at the same venue). I also thought the volume at the very beginning of the show was excessive, but again, like you, thought it seemed to moderate as time went on. Her voice was in top form, as usual. I must admit though that it was used to its best advantage during her signature songs. I sincerely believe that the combination of her voice and her ex-husband, Frank Wildhorn's, compositions was a musical match made in heaven. (Wish they could resume at least their professional relationship!) What did you think of that breath control competition with the sax player?! She is really something!! Her vocals to "This Time Around" and "Let Him Fly" validate her ability to hold a note seemingly infinitum. "Let Him Fly" is just beautiful - a mother-to-son song - and one of my absolute favorites (I have two sons of my own.) By the way, "If I Could," one of the songs she sang in Red Bank, was the song my son and I danced to on the day he was married. As you can imagine, I was a basket case during the whole thing. Thats another reason I love Linda. She sings with feeling and knows how to tug at your heart strings. Sorry this turned into War and Peace, but her talent simply amazes me.
Grace