Music of Big Star - Sata Moon, Valencia, 19/11/2023

  by Philamonjaro

published: 8 / 3 / 2024

Featuring original member, drummer Jody Stephens, The Music of Big Star tour was a winning tribute to the early ‘70s power-pop band which featured Alex Chilton and Chris Bell at the songwriting helm. Stephens was joined by Jon Auer (The Posies) who was also a Big Star band member during their second era (1993 - 2010). R.E.M.’s Mike MIlls was on bass, DB’s Chris Stamey on guitar and Wilco’s Pat Sansome on keyboards/guitar. All shared backup and lead vocals. Collectively they rounded out the Big Star-all star line-up. Sadly the original Big Star was plagued with distribution issues and in-fighting. which rendered them a short existence. Yet they had a lasting impact. Their 1972 debut ‘t#1 Record’’ made Rolling Stone's top 100 best debut albums of all time list. With a loyal following having gathered over the decades, Big Star have influenced and inspired future music fans and musicians alike despite never achieving widespread commercial success. In this case, these successful musicians were inspired enough to tour two-set, 25-song shows, tackling a big swatch of their recorded catalogue. With the passing away of Chris Bell (1978), Alex Chilton (2010), and Andy Hummel (2010), touring as ‘The Music of….’ rather than the original namesake best respected the legacy. The show took on an atmosphere of informal house-party-ish fun. Throughout the show, the quintet rotated their primary instruments taking on various roles. Stephens emerged from his drums to sing lead vocals. Mills handed over his bass to Stamey to sing lead. Stamey moved from guitar to keyboards and Sansone vise versa. With Auer also shifting from guitar to keyboards. It really exhibited their musical limberness and collective talents. The first set was dominated with songs from ‘‘#1 Record’. The second set was mainly songs from their second and third release’ Radio City’ and ‘Third/Sister Lovers’, and also Included three songs from Chris Bell’s posthumously released ‘I am the Cosmos’ near the show’s end. All crowd pleasers. Older fans would reminisce over the early singles ‘Thirteen’, ;When My Baby's Beside Me’ and ‘Don't Lie to Me’,.while younger fans would recognize "In the Street" as the theme song from ‘That 70’s Show’. was a night of energized, guitar-driven jangly powerpop. Fans got their evening’s worth. It was an enjoyable honouring of music from a long gone moment that should have truly been a bigger star. Set List: First Set: I'm in Love With a Girl Feel The Ballad of El Goodo In the Street Don't Lie to Me The India Song When My Baby's Beside Me My Life Is Right Give Me Another Chance Watch the Sunrise Way Out West ST 100/6 Second Set: O My Soul Back of a Car Try Again What's Going Ahn Blue Moon Nightime Jesus Christ You Get What You Deserve I Am the Cosmos Thank You Friends Thirteen Encore: You and Your Sister September Gurls There Was a Light Photos by Philamonjaro www.philamonjaro.com

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