Winery Dogs Saban Theater Concert Review 5-31-19

Winery Dogs Saban Theater Concert Review 5-31-19

 

Winery Dogs Richie Kotzen Billy Sheehan Mike PortnoySaban Theater Concert Reviews Concert Photography

Richie Kotzen

Who Let The Dogs Out

As the Los Angeles crowd waited in anticipation at the Saban Theater for The Winery Dogs to take the stage, the venue suddenly went dark and the speakers began blasting the hit song by the Baha Men,” WHO LET THE DOGS OUT” which is also the name of this 2019 tour. The Winery Dogs had not played the Saban Theater since November 6, 2016, which only increased the anticipation for the last night on this tour.

Winery Dogs Richie Kotzen Billy Sheehan Mike PortnoySaban Theater Concert Reviews Concert Photography

Richie Kotzen, Billy Sheehan and Mike Portnoy, collectively known as The Winery Dogs wasted no time as they hit the stage full throttle with a brilliant version of Elevate, the first track from their 2013 debut LP; “The Winery Dogs.” The band further ignited the audience with a double punch off their 2015 follow up LP Hot Streak with; Captain Love and Hot Streak.

Winery Dogs Richie Kotzen Billy Sheehan Mike PortnoySaban Theater Concert Reviews Concert Photography

The band continued with Time Machine, Damaged, The Lamb and a scorching version of The Other Side, before Mike Portnoy introduced; the one, the only, the incredible Billy Sheehan on bass!!!

Winery Dogs Richie Kotzen Billy Sheehan Mike PortnoySaban Theater Concert Reviews Concert Photography

Sheehan ripped through an incredible solo of bass shred brilliance that affirmed his legendary status as one of the most gifted and talented rock bass players of all time. Throughout his solo, he shredded his bass with more technique and tenacity than most guitar players could ever hope to shred; much less any bass player. Sheehan’s solo left many in the audience thinking; “Was that solo even humanly possible?” But of course we all know, Sheehan is human…right?

The band followed up with Ghost Town from their Hot Streak LP before turning the stage over to Richie Kotzen. Kotzen sat down at his piano to give the audience a couple of songs with a soulful performance as only Kotzen can do.

Winery Dogs Richie Kotzen Billy Sheehan Mike PortnoySaban Theater Concert Reviews Concert Photography

Richie Kotzen

Kotzen is a masterful guitarist, vocalist and pianist who handles each musical ability better than most musicians do as a guitarist, lead singer or a piano-singer. When Kotzen sits down at the piano; he can deliver a song that rips deep into your soul. Whether you get a chance to catch Kotzen with the The Winery Dogs or with one of his solo project shows, you will definitely see a multi-dimensional talent with a seemingly limitless creative pallet; who is one of the greatest musical talents of our time!

The band then brought forth I’m No Angel, The dying and Oblivion before Kotzen expressed to the Los Angeles crowd:

“You guys are like an audience from Brazil….and that’s a compliment!!! Since this is our last night of this tour and we love playing for you; do you want a few more songs??? Before we go, we just want to say that we will be back real soon and with new material!”

Winery Dogs Richie Kotzen Billy Sheehan Mike PortnoySaban Theater Concert Reviews Concert Photography

Richie Kotzen

As the night seemed to be approaching what had to be the end of the show, there were many in attendance who had anticipated a drum solo from the percussion master, Mike Portnoy. To the disappointment of some, a solo from Portnoy never materialized; however, considering his musical and technical prowess within the bands’ material, Portnoy easily delivers enough bad ass riffs to supplement the need for a solo. For example:

Winery Dogs Richie Kotzen Billy Sheehan Mike PortnoySaban Theater Concert Reviews Concert Photography

Just take a listen to the second half of “The Other Side” where Portnoy riffs over the bands’ heavy groove outro, or the end of “Elevate” where he simply executes jaw dropping shred fills at the very end of the song. Also check out the middle section in “Not Hopeless” where Portnoy breaks down into a heavy progressive funk groove while punctuating the bands’ figures with all manner of crazy syncopated badass fills. So, as you sit back and enjoy a master musician at work; even though he may not execute a “solo” as an individual artist; his solo chops and abilities are perceived and woven within the fabric of the creative masterwork in the bands’ music.

The band finished out the night with a brilliant version of the Elvin Bishop classic, Fooled Around and Fell in Love, and Desire from their 2013 self-titled LP. The band then threw in an extra special treat for the Saban Theater with a super charged version of Gary Wright’s Love is Alive to finish out the night that included a segment of the Sly and the Family Stone classic “Higher” with Sheehan taking on that famous line in the song by “Sly Stone Boom Shaka-laka-laka”.

Of course, a last night show would not be complete without a little drum destruction from Portnoy as he grabbed a cymbal stand with cymbal from behind the drum kit and threw it out over his drums to come crashing down on to the stage; great fun indeed!

Winery Dogs Richie Kotzen Billy Sheehan Mike PortnoySaban Theater Concert Reviews Concert Photography

Mike Portnoy

The band again reassured the audience that they will be back soon and with new material.  So stay tuned to the bands’ website at TheWineryDogs.com and stay tuned to LA Metal Media Magazine for a band press release regarding new material and shows as they develop.

In the meantime!

Check out the Winery Dogs Saban Theater Photo Gallery here!

The Saban Theater Set list was:

Elevate

Captain Love

Hot Streak

Time Machine

Damaged

The Lamb

The Other Side

Bass Solo

Ghost Town

The Road

Regent

I’m No Angel

The Dying

Oblivion

Fooled Around and Fell in Love-(Elvin Bishop Cover)

Desire

Love Is Alive (Gary Wright cover)