Concert Review

Jan and Dean at the Hatch Shell, Boston, MA
June 20, 1998
By Robert Lasner

As I drove into Boston from New York City, I found on my radio dial the oldies station that was sponsoring the Jan and Dean concert that evening. For about an hour of my life, it felt as if Jan and Dean were the biggest band in Boston. Blasting through my radio was Jan and Dean music, as well as frequent exaltations from the DJs to come on down to the show. It was like 1964 all over again, I imagined (though I was born in 1967). At last I arrived at the Hatch Shell, was directed where to park, and I was "there". I was going to see Jan and Dean for the first time since 1981. Though I have been a fan for about 20 years, I had lost track of them in the 1980's and 90's. Only the advent of the Internet allowed me to begin to follow them closely again, and as a result, I had travelled over 200 miles to see them (isn't that devotion!) Some terrible opening act-the Marcels was their name, come to think of it-performed an aimless and useless set of Motown and Disco, for as long as I listened. (Unlike what I had hoped, they were NOT the Marcels of "Blue Moon" fame).

Then, after a brief intermission, what I had waited 17 years for--"Ladies and Gentlemen, from Southern California, the messiahs of Malibu, and the sultans of surf------Jan and Dean" (That intro; some things haven't changed for 17 years either--in the 60's, though, wasn't it "Ladies and Gentlemen, from Southern California, the Doors?") Heavier in the woody area, it was my heroes on stage, just 20 feet from me! A familiar voice said, "Are you ready, Boston", and then a familiar "Papa Doo Run Day Run Day" (or however it is spelled). Two things I immediately noticed. First of all, the tempo was much slower than when I saw them in the early 80's-which was a good thing, as they performed their songs way too fast years ago (was that some kind of therapy for Jan?) Secondly, and most heartening, I could hear both Jan and Dean's voice clearly in the mix. Back in the Reagan years, sometimes their voices, especially Jan's, would be lost in the mix, and the backup band would be just as loud as the supposed front men. It was great to hear Jan and Dean out there, front and center. After "The New Girl in School", they followed with the Beach Boy's "Do It Again", with Dean intoning "We're here, doing it again, year after year..." After that tune, one of my BB faves, Jan said "We are going back to the beginning...1957, 1958, 1959...", and it was time for my all time favorite J&D tune, suitable for all five year olds who date three year olds. They proceeded along with the expected- "Honolulu Lulu", "Linda", "Drag City", "Little Old Lady", "Sidewalk Surfin'", plus a multitude of Beach Boys songs.

During the middle of the concert, when they do all those BB songs, the show drags a bit. Jan takes frequent rests in the back, and the backup band gets to sing alot-which I have always hated. I wish they would do more J&D stuff ("Jennie Lee", "Ride the Wild Surf", and I have always had a perverse personal desire to see them do "Tennessee" and "The Anaheim Azuza and Cucamonga Sewing Circle Book Review and Timing Association"). But, I know things are hard with Jan's condition, and besides, while I approach them as a fanatic, most of the audience at the show probably didn't know the difference between a Jan and Dean song and a Beach Boys song, so the BB material went over rather well. They finished the show with "Surf City", and "Surfin' USA", and an encore of "Barbara Ann" and "Free bird" (Just wanted to make sure you will still reading!)

Overall, their performance has improved dramatically over the years. Even if he will never fully recover, Jan can sing, walk and talk so much better than he could years ago, which dramatically improves the whole performance quality. And, I like the fact that Dean plays guitar throughout the show--gives him something to do :) And, they even do a little bit of interactive humor, an extended version of "there is a Linda in the audience with a beard" bit. All in all, I was beyond happy as a fan to see them again, and as an objective music critic, I thought their performance was energetic and well done. (As if I was objective!) My friend who accompanied me, who doesn't even really like them, said he had alot of fun, and that he thought they were good. One moment I have chosen to save until the end to talk about is the best moment of the concert. During "Dead Man's Curve", they turned up the reverb during the spoken section of the song, and Jan practically screams the lines. Then, after "I guess I found out for myself that everyone was right" they just stopped! Nothing for 10, 20 seconds, while the audience reaction built and built to an ovation. One of the better moments I have ever seen at a concert in a long time. They should end the show that way!! But, my show had a better ending. I got to meet Jan Berry!!

J&D in KC Again (1991) By Doc Rock

Jan & Dean have appeared in Kansas City at the Worlds of Fun theme park a couple of times in the last dozen years. Mike and Dean appeared at the opening day of the adjoining water park, Oceans of Fun. But I always wanted to see J&D at Crown Center. Crown Center is a ritzy shopping mall is down town Kansas City, Missouri. It is owned by Hallmark Cards, headquartered in KC, hence the name, Crown Center (if you are confused, look at the back of a Hallmark Card sometime). For almost 15 years, Crown Center has put on Free Friday Night Concerts outdoors during the three months of summer. Besides some contemporary jazz, pop, and country acts, the backbone of the concert series has been great oldie acts. These have included, Johnny Rivers, Bobby Vee, Tommy Roe, Paul Revere and the Raiders, Young Rascals, Roy Orbison, Del Shannon, the Crystals, the Dixie Cups, Lesley Gore, Fifth Dimension, and dozens more. The crowds are large -- as many as 24,000.

We usually get there early and sit front-row center. The temp was over 100 degrees for this out door show. For J&D, I was determined to get back stage. It was the hardest task I have ever faced at a J&D concert. Every door I tried, guards misdirected me to other doors where other guards misdirected me to yet other doors. At last, during the warm up act, a kindly guard gave me the right directions. First a bad member recognized me on his way to the rest room. Then I spotted Dean, and all was well.

The show was one of the most exciting ever. Some new songs were included. The line-up: Opening Set

New Girl In School
Do It Again
Baby Talk
Linda
Hot Rod Set
Drag City
Little Deuce Coupe
409
Shut Down
Girl Set
Honolulu Lulu
Help Me, Rhonda
Little Old Lady From Pasadena
California Girls
Non-Set
Dead Man's Curve
Sloop John B.
Kokomo
Dance Set
Let's Dance
Do You Wanna Dance
Gimme Some Lovin'
Dance Dance Dance
Surf Set
Sidewalk Surfin'
Surf City
Surfin' USA
Encore Set
Barbara Ann
Fun Fun Fun

A highlight was in "Dance Dance Dance," when Dean performed a wonderful guitar "lip synch." He "pretended" to play a very hot, acid-rock type guitar solo, falling to his knees and making wild facial expressions. Meanwhile, the lead guitarist was standing in the shadows with his back to the audience, playing the real guitar solo. At first, people were fooled by Dean's ruse. Then, as the guitar playing got more frantic and Dean's antics became farther out, the ruse became apparent and the crowd started laughing wildly. At least this crowd got the joke. (Recall the time in the '70s when a Jan & Dean "comeback" gag of lip synching to a mis-cued record was mistaken for a real attempt to perform?)

Watching the show from back stage was interesting. Stage left was for local VIPs like the TV anchor, Cynthia Smith. Stage right was for the band types. The VIPS got rows of nice chairs cheese, lighting, wine, beer, coffee, soda, etc. The band side got ice water and a few folding chairs hidden in the dark. Oh well.

In the dressing room, J&D met and signed autographs for an endless stream of friends of the owners or operators of Crown Center, followed by various handicapped people who had come to be inspired by Jan.

There was very little time for my wife, my daughter Corina, and me to talk to J&D. But I did get to ask them both about the EMI Legendary Masters CD. Dean was glad it was out. When I asked him how he felt about the cover photo's being B&W and reversed, and about the songs' being remixed. He said he did not care, as long as it was out there for people to buy. Jan on the other hand felt very strongly about the CD. In a word, he hates it. He feels about the remixing just about the way directors about these upstarts who colorize old classic movie. He hopes no one hears it, and he certainly hopes that no DJ ever gets a hold of it and plays it on the radio. I told him that the only cut I have ever heard was "Ride the Wild Surf." It was in the Cleveland airport. An FM station was promoting a J&D concert to occur that evening, and used that song in the ad.

The new mascot/trademark for the Crown Center concerts is an alligator. This 'gator is featured on the programs and the drink cups, along with a calendar of all the acts appearing during the summer. Dean gathered up a bunch of these 'gator items. As it happens, his daughter Katie just loved alligators!

I hope a lot of SMers got to see J&D this year. Their show has never been better!

 

 

 

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