PNC Concert Series

Robert Massimi.

Squeeze are an English rock band that came to prominence during the new wave period of the late 1970's. They continued recording i the 1980's, 1990's and 2010's. While songs like "Cool for Cat's", "Up The Junction" and Labelled with Love" were UK top-ten chart hits, they were not commercially successful in the US. "Hourglass", "Tempted" and "Pulling Mussels" faired far better.

Friday evening at the PNC gave the audience a problem... the sound system. Not only was the sound terrible, it made Squeeze sound like a New Jersey bar band that was asked to warm up a more well known band. In the bands opening song, "Take Me I'm Yours", it was difficult picking up the lyrics the the over powering drums and the driving lead guitar. "Up the Junction" the evenings second song did not fair much better (it was mid song before I recognized it). The sound system made me feel like I was in a milk bottle and someone was hitting the bottle with a spoon on the outside; reminiscent of the old NY Coliseum's sound system.

Squeeze, I felt, could have chose their song list better; "Pulling Mussels" was the bands sixth song, while "Tempted" was the ninth song of the evening and closing out with "Black Coffee" as the bands final song. "Junction" would have been a better opener or "Pulling Mussels", only avid Squeeze fans knew of "Take Me I'm Yours", whereas everyone knows "Pulling Mussels".

Hall and Oates.

Like Squeeze, Hall and Oates had the same sound problem; they also had an identity problem Friday night. Trying to be both Jazzy and R&B the band failed miserably. I saw this band at Bethel Woods three years ago and their more simple approach back them worked better for Hall and Oates, after all they are a simple band and when they get complex they get lost. A bigger rhythm and horn section took the edge off the bands signature songs like "Say It Isn't So" and "Sara Smile". The evening's first encore, "Rich Girl" was a cross between a wedding song and schmaltz. The second encore, "Kiss on My List" was sung and played without any passion or effort.

Hall and Oates have been together since 1970 when they met in Philadelphia PA. The bands attraction is its fun, easy to listen too songs. Friday night the band tried to get a little to fancy and it backfired. Maybe Daryl Hall has gotten taken away with the hit series "Daryl's House" and that he reconstructed the band to go where it wasn't willing nor capable of.

2021... What is left at PNC.

Lynyrd Skynard comes into the PNC on Aug 27th, 311 comes into play on Aug 29th . The two big events this year, however, will be James Taylor who is being backed up by Jackson Browne, and of course, Pitbull on Sept 5th. Pitbull, who has a great following and many new songs should sell out easily.

Usually PNC closes down one week after Labor day but this year it will be open till Oct 10th when Slipknot closes out the year. Dave Matthews will make an appearance on Sept 22end, Maroon 5 on Sept 10th and New Jersey's own Jonas Brothers will be at the PNC on Oct 5th.

Broadway.

Pass Over will be opening on August 22end. As more shows re open at a more rapid pace, it is important for Broadway to bring forward good, quality theater if it wants any shot of recovering pre Covid. "Aladdin" and "Lion King" will be coming out in September, as will "Harry Potter" in Repertory,

The real question will be if other than Disney shows, will there be good quality, fun, thought provoking shows that will keep the audience interested in what Broadway has to offer.