SkyhighRocks
New member
Took my wife for a quick getaway to NYC for our anniversary. The main reason was to see Richie Sambora play the Iridium. If you've never heard of it or been there, it's a very small jazz club that Les Paul played every monday night until he died in 2009. Richie played 3 shows in his honor and they were filming for a special to air later in the fall on Front & Center.
The club holds about 150 people and it's all seated tables which was cool. We had great seats in the center and there wasn't a bad view in the house. Richie played through a Friedman combo, couldn't tell what Ori was playing through. The stage was very condensed with no room. We were also not allowed to take photos or video because of the filming (but I managed to snap a few quick ones - below)
His board was the same that someone recently posted. Very stripped down...I saw a Pog, couple of ODs, etc. He only played Les Pauls throughout the show (obviously) including a white one that Les had given him on his birthday in 1998. His tone was pretty good although Richie really needs to sit down and learn his gear sometime. He didn't really have a clue as to what his board does.
He kept stepping on the wrong pedals, fumbling with the guitars' controls, etc. A lot of hiss and buzzing as well coming from the amp. Makes me happy that I do use a noise gate. It probably wouldn't be so bad in a larger venue but since we were right up close, you could hear the amp when the music stopped. He had to turn off his ODs all night when speaking. His voice sounded incredible until the last few songs when you could tell he was tiring. His playing was spot on in some spots but unsure in others...his whole premise, it seems, with his new band is to just wing a lot of stuff. They didn't seem very rehearsed as Richie would point to Ori or one of the others to solo at different times. The band WAS very tight though...very pro.
Orianthi was good...but I guess I was expecting more based on all her accolades. It could be that she knows it's Richie's gig. One thing I must say is that she really needs to sing more...she has an incredible voice. She also has this habit of playing with her hair a lot.
Didn't get to meet Richie as I didn't spring for the VIP...no big deal. Had a great time either way. He played some of his solo stuff, some Bon Jovi tunes and a few covers. Joe Lynn Turner was in attendance, as well as Joel Hoekstra who was very cool when I chatted with him. And it never fails, I took pics with a few people in attendance, as well as walking around NY. One lady says, "You have Richie hair"...ummm thanks!
The club holds about 150 people and it's all seated tables which was cool. We had great seats in the center and there wasn't a bad view in the house. Richie played through a Friedman combo, couldn't tell what Ori was playing through. The stage was very condensed with no room. We were also not allowed to take photos or video because of the filming (but I managed to snap a few quick ones - below)
His board was the same that someone recently posted. Very stripped down...I saw a Pog, couple of ODs, etc. He only played Les Pauls throughout the show (obviously) including a white one that Les had given him on his birthday in 1998. His tone was pretty good although Richie really needs to sit down and learn his gear sometime. He didn't really have a clue as to what his board does.
He kept stepping on the wrong pedals, fumbling with the guitars' controls, etc. A lot of hiss and buzzing as well coming from the amp. Makes me happy that I do use a noise gate. It probably wouldn't be so bad in a larger venue but since we were right up close, you could hear the amp when the music stopped. He had to turn off his ODs all night when speaking. His voice sounded incredible until the last few songs when you could tell he was tiring. His playing was spot on in some spots but unsure in others...his whole premise, it seems, with his new band is to just wing a lot of stuff. They didn't seem very rehearsed as Richie would point to Ori or one of the others to solo at different times. The band WAS very tight though...very pro.Orianthi was good...but I guess I was expecting more based on all her accolades. It could be that she knows it's Richie's gig. One thing I must say is that she really needs to sing more...she has an incredible voice. She also has this habit of playing with her hair a lot.
Didn't get to meet Richie as I didn't spring for the VIP...no big deal. Had a great time either way. He played some of his solo stuff, some Bon Jovi tunes and a few covers. Joe Lynn Turner was in attendance, as well as Joel Hoekstra who was very cool when I chatted with him. And it never fails, I took pics with a few people in attendance, as well as walking around NY. One lady says, "You have Richie hair"...ummm thanks!
