November 10, 2006 - Mark Farner - Vegas Fremont Street Experience!
review by: Tony & Terri DiDominic
Hello M.F. Fans,
Mark and N'rG played in Las Vegas, Nevada this past Friday (10-Nov-06) at the Fremont Street Experience. It was billed as the Patriot Party and I met plenty of Veterans there that night.
The last time I saw Mark perform live was about 2 years ago in Silverado California. My wife Karen and I were lucky enough to meet Mark then and discuss a little world affairs while he signed a CD we purchased there. This time I rode my Hog from California to meet up with my sister who has sang in various bands with me. We certainly covered some Grand Funk tunes in those ventures. So there we were in Las Vegas ready for some kick ass rock and roll from the Rock Patriot himself.
The band hit the stage like a flash of bolting light. The sound was good and the stage set up was surrounded in Vegas lighting. Mark was in great form but unfortunately Mark’s microphone could have been turned up in the sound system. Still the band sounded tight and the music was great.
They added TNUC to the set list. H Bomb did a great job on the drum solo without the usual accompaniment of percussion from Mark and Paul.
Mark was demonstrating his unending energy and showmanship keeping the crowd captivated. The crowd was good sized and those in attendance were having a great time. They played for about an hour and a half with one break in-between for the big screen Viva Vision display show.
It was great to see them perform live and sound as good as ever. After the show my sister and I who have been fan’s since 1970 took pictures with Mark as well as sing a couple of chorus of I don’t have to sing the blues and Heartbreaker to him which he seemed to get a good laugh from.
Our thanks to Mark Farner and N’rG for a great time and a great show.
Mark was testing our memory's painlessly by leading
us in to a song from a different intro so we could guess
what it would be....It was a FUN test! One thing I've not
seen him do before is a STOP ACTION move he did to
get the guys to change-up the set list. A brief pause
and Mark said; "How you like us now?" Before we
got done laughing out loud that tune turned in to
"Sin's a Good Man's Brother!" Excellent, excellent
execution of that tune! Mark still commands darn
strong vocal prowess. May he have many more years
of prosperity making people SO HAPPY too!
(every show I've been at I hear compliments being
fired at him from thrilled and blown away fans)
Another electrifying part of Vegas "The FARNER STREET EXPERIENCE" happens OVERHEAD! There, above all the ecstatic excitement looms a GIANT football field (size) LED screen that covers the entire stage area and beyond.
In fact, a group of Chippendale dancers hovered in the corner stammering; "How does he move like that...???"
I vote Mark the best ROCK FORMATION inside and outside of Vegas. He's a Natural wonder like the Red Rock Canyon we visited. Also a Treasure like the Hoover Dam in this Nation that he loves so much! The Heartfelt Blessing of our troops is always a beautiful thing at a Farner show. It's really something to feel when your standing-as-ONE- Nation-under-GOD singing Mark's jewel song "I'm your Captain/Closer To Home." He's talkin' to ya now......"Everybody, listen to me and RETURN ME MY SHIP"
This is one ROCK Icon that HAS RETURNED....He is back...Now Bless God, GIVE HIM BACK HIS SHIP!!!
I’ve been to Vegas several times over the last few years – they all run into one another… I even stayed at the Golden Nugget a few times…. But this time I will never forget.
Fremont Street Experience is…. A lot of glitter and colored lights. If you remember the OLD downtown Las Vegas… this is a great reminiscence of it. The concert stage was right next to the Golden Nugget. Stage was set up high – like the first time I saw Mark and the boys at the San Diego Sports Arena, back in ’71. Mark looked amazing – and what, after all his years of life, is new about that… NOT A THING. He moved and rocked like he was back in ’71. They played something I hadn’t heard in concert in YEARS… Shinning ON. Marks dance movements were still that awesome to watch. I have always been impressed by Mark’s ability to dance … as not all that many guitar players, front men really do know how – you can tell that Mark was weaned on MOTOWN.
Sue, Judd and I were right up front – to the left of Mark – right in front of Paul Ojibway. All the guys were really tight – and you could tell just how much fun Lawrence and HBOMB were having. Mark took us down memory lane – and did it all in honor of our troops – troops of the present, and troops of the past. I don’t think that there was a dry eye in the house, when for their encore they came back to play I’m Your Captain.
After the concert –I waited in line to meet the man – who, apart from Jesus Christ, I’ve always said he’s the one I’d want to meet. This was my second meeting. Geesh but I wish I wouldn’t become so completely tongue tied and stupid around him. I don’t think I said 5 words to him – but what I really wanted to say was THANK YOU MARK, FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, FOR HONORING ALL VETERANS. I also had the wonderful chance to meet Lawrence. I had met all of the guys at some point or another – but to meet him just capped off my perfect night. Talk about sweet guys… I don’t think you’d meet better hearted men anywhere. Thanks again Mark… for the memories yesterday and today.
