BoulderSoul's Bobby Bennett Concert Recap

THE NIGHT BEFORE BOBBY BENNETT
Twenty-four hours before the big Bobby Bennett event I was helping some friends tend to their tomato plants.  While placing tarps over the plants, to protect them from the frost, their cat Patrick came up to me to say a brief hello.  Of course, I picked him up and gave him some major cuddles.  He purred loudly for a few minutes, squirmed to get down, then bit me.  Typical cat behavior, right?  Well, three hours later, the underside of both of my arms-from armpit to wrist-were covered with huge red, blister-like bumps.  Apparently I, for the first time in my life, had a case of hives!  There I sat, less than 20 hours until I was to meet MaryR and see Bobby Bennett-at his first concert ever-and my arms looked like something out of the Journal for Investigative Dermatology.

ON THE ROAD TO DENVER
While driving the Soul Mobile down Hi-way 36, the main thoroughfare between Boulder and Denver, I noticed most of the cars in my rear-view mirror had their lights on.  I also noticed the same with a few cars headed in the opposite direction.  Since it was not yet dark-and the fact that so many car had their lights on-I figured that it must have been one of those “show support for (fill in the blank) by driving with your headlights on day” (forever the rebel, my lights remained off-don't want to mistakenly show support for a cause I may disagree with).  As it turned out this was one of those rare “blonde moments” for me-I was in the middle of a funeral procession. LOL.

First hives, then a funeral procession-were these omens for the night ahead?  I shook that thought from my head, that is until the CD in my car changed.  Do you suppose it meant anything that the soundtrack to “Almost Famous” comes on while on my way to a Bobby Bennett concert?

PRECONCERT DRINKS
MaryR and I had made plans to meet at Marlowe's, just 5 blocks away from the concert venue, Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret.  I arrived in Denver, parked my car in a parking garage just 1 1/2 blocks from Lannie's and grabbed the shuttle to Marlowe's.  While on the shuttle, I saw this man who looked extremely familiar-sunglasses, slight in build, on the shorter side, and beautiful long hair.  I swear it was Bo Bice!!  The lady between him and me got a bit irritated as I kept leaning into her and was wrenching my neck around her to see if my suspicion was correct.  He exited the shuttle after one stop, I saw he had on a pair of those super baggie jeans and a wallet chain-definitely NOT Bo.

MaryR arrived at Marlowe's about ten minutes after I did and after I had consumed half of the worst pomegranate martini ever.  We each had a couple of drinks and talked and talked-I swear, it is as if we have known each other for a long, long time time. I told her I changed purses right before I left home so that I had a large enough bag to carry my black feather boa.  MaryR cracked us both up when she said, “I thought you were kidding.”  I wasn't.  LOL.  With our amaretto sours and martinis finished we left Marlowe's, hopped on the shuttle headed to Lannie's.  By the way, one of the coolest parts of the evening was MaryR sharing pictures of her two daughters with me.

LANNIE'S CLOCKTOWER CABERET
As we descended the spiral staircase, we saw a gold, floor placard announcing that we had indeed arrived at Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret.  The moment I saw that the signage was draped with a red feather boa, I whipped my black boa out of my purse and tossed it around my neck.

First of all I want to urge anyone who ever comes to Denver to spend an evening at Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret.  You will LOVE it-guaranteed.  It is situated in the basement of the historic D&F Tower, a Denver landmark.  Built in 1910, it was Denver's first “skyscraper.”  You walk down the spiral staircase and truly enter a whole new realm-it was a bit reminiscent of a few scenes from the Kubrick movie “Eyes Wide Shut”-but devoid of that creepy eeriness.  Everything, from the lighting-crystal chandeliers, variously accented with cowboy boots and an assortment of clocks, Venetian Glass wall sconces, and Pottery Barn chic wall lamps-to the rich fabrics-western-motif of the velveteen tablecloths under glass to the velvet draped walls-is warm, cozy, inviting, sophisticated, in an eclectic sort of way.  On the wall in the entrance there are framed photographs of celebrities like Jay Leno, Mohammed Ali, and Tiny Tim.  They even have a small disco ball.  How can you not LOVE Lannie's?

Lannie's is an intimate space, capacity is about 130-the place was SOLD OUT.  People were even stopping ticket holders asking if they had any extra tickets.

THE AUDIENCE
The crowd was an interesting, diverse blend of people, many of them obviously members of Bobby's family or other wise acquainted with one another.  There were young, old, male, female, black, white, Hispanic, donned in every style imaginable-cowboy casual chic, to gangsta.  There were even a few soccer moms and a showgirl look or two (although I think I was the only one with feathers).  There was one person that really stood out though.  He was a young man, perhaps in his late 20s, a big guy standing slightly taller than he was wide.  He was walking around with a white Denver Bronco's jersey with a #77 on it (Karl Mecklenberg, from the Elway era).  He seemed to meet and greet several people sitting at different tables.  MaryR and I ventured that he was a relative-we were right, it was Bobby's Uncle Steve.

When Bobby was introduced, the place erupted in cheers, yells of “we love you Bobby,” people in front of the stage and in the back of the club held up various home-made “Bobby we love you” signs.  There were several cell phones lighting up the room. I leaned over to MaryR and said, “Hey look, they're doing cellcerts.”  Actually, everyone, including MaryR and I, were on our feet clapping and cheering-we were laughing too because we were a bit surprised at the reception.  Bobby was visibly thrilled to death and appeared to get a tad emotional.  I will readily admit that this was the first of several times throughout the evening that I had tears in my eyes.

TELEVISION CAMERAS
When Bobby came on stage a television camera was following him around-the camera was literally about three inches from his face.  He explained that Denver's local TV channel 2 was filming the entire show and will air a special about him sometime in November.  He beamed.  I was teary eyed once again.

BOBBY BENNETT
From what I remember, Bobby looks as if he has lost a little bit of weight since being voted off American Idol.  Although still heavy, he looked good-sweated a lot (not Ruben a lot, but a lot).  During the first set he wore an untucked stripped shirt and a jacket with jeans or slacks (can't remember).  When he returned from intermission, he had changed into a black ensemble, and looked very dapper.

The band consisted of piano player, violin, drums, a young bass guitarist (who MaryR had a mini-crush on-she “was diggin” his asymmetrical hair cut BIG time), the bass guitarist's father on rhythm guitar, and a saxophonist. The band members were all friends of Bobby and the saxophonist was instrumental in pulling the band together.  Overall, they (the band) were okay to good.  Bobby really has a wonderfully smooth voice and deserves much stronger accompaniment.  With a bit more experience and a little coaching, in my opinion, he will have a very successful performing career.

There is a natural warmth and sincerity in Bobby's interactions with the audience—he is an engaging performer.  Many in attendance were family members.  He did not hesitate to share thoughts about his family, his life struggles, the death of his Gramma, and his experience with American Idol. He had both MaryR and me (and others) teary eyed throughout the night.  His introductions to his songs were informative, touching, comical, and offered in depth insight to a very talented 20 year-old man.  When he did his intro to Copacabana, someone from the back of the room (a relative) yelled, “Don't sing that song ever again.”  Everyone laughed, and his comeback was priceless, “I'd do it again, it was for Gramma.”  More wet eyes.

I had a piece of paper out and attempted to make a set list.  I missed a few.   Here is my list, albeit incomplete:

Daybreak
I Don't Want to Walk Without You
This One's for You
Somewhere Down the Road
Can't Smile Without You
Mandy
Made it Through the Rain
New York City Rhythm
Copacabana

Intermission

Til' There Was You
We Kiss in the Shadow (King and I)
Seasons of Love (Rent)
Someone to Watch Over Me
Memory (Cats)

Bobby was grateful, humble, and appreciative of the audience and thanked us several times.  He even recognized that there was a Bronco game going on and expressed amazement that so many people showed up.  Someone yelled from the back of the room “We love you Bobby” he responded “Thanks Mom.”  Cute.  Uncle Steve yelled out the Bronco score a few times.  LOL.

Bobby is extremely proud that he made the Top 24-or as he refers to it “the top 12 guys.”  My eyes teared up again.  Although he made a couple of requisite snarky comments about Simon, he was overall very complimentary of AI and his experience.  He did make an interesting comment about American Idol's editing practices.  Even though he received complimentary remarks from all judges-yes Simon too-the editing kept presenting him in the image we are all familiar with (the big guy, with the big grin, and out stretched arms).

The concert ended and people filed out of the room.  Mary and I stayed, finishing our glasses of champagne.  Bobby came out and was walking around talking to friends and family.  When he was free, MaryR and I called to him and he came over.  He thanked us for coming, and we of course reminded him that we saw him at Herman's Hideaway when LiMBO performed.  He acted as if he remembered. LOL.  He and I hugged each other, and I planted a kiss on his cheek.  He gave me another hug.  I got his autograph.  He and MaryR chatted for a bit.  Small world, they knew a couple of the same teachers at a high school near MaryR's house (don't know which one) and they shop in the same market.  LOL.

MaryR and I did not get thrown out of Lannie's, however we were the last ones to leave the building.

AFTER THE CONCERT
MaryR and I said our good byes outside of Lannie's and both went our separate ways.  As I walked the nearly abandoned 1 1/2 blocks back to my car, with my red/orange slacks, the sound of my 4 inch heels echoing off the pavement, and feathers from my boa tickling my neck-I chuckled out loud and almost began singing "Walkin' After Midnight"-but it was only 10:30ish.  A street vendor that had closed up shop was carrying a bunch of Birds of Paradise in a pickle bucket and asked if I wanted to buy any...offering them up at half-price.  I declined the offer.

The $10 ticket to see Mr. Bobby Bennett perform was probably one of the best bargains I have ever had.  Next time I see him, and I will, ticket prices will be much higher, deservedly so. 

Yes, he is that good.