Concert Review: The Nightwatchman & Friends - Troubadour, West Hollywood, CA - 4/15/08 - Page 2

Larger line-ups began to fill the stage. State Radio, an up-and-coming band with a rock/reggae sound, played three songs. Guitar whiz Steve Vai took the stage with the house band and played two brilliant instrumentals. Cantrell and Flea watched from the sidelines and were equally in awe of the sounds Vai made as was the audience. When musicians are impressed, you know you witnessed something spectacular.

Farrell, his wife Ety, and Restivo are the remaining members of Satellite Party. They performed over recorded material, including weird-sounding dance versions of Jane’s Addiction’s “Been Caught Stealing” and “Stop” that only became recognizable from the lyrics. While I hesitate finding fault with anyone who gives their time to charity, the songs didn't sound good, made even more evident when Dave Navarro, Flea, and Travis Barker joined Farrell for Jane’s “Mountian Song. ” The crowd went nuts for the classic Jane’s sound, and even Farrell seemed more inspired performing in front of it.  They set the music bar very high.

It was then time for all-star sessions as people rotated on stage for different covers. Flea and Barker stayed as Morello, Slash, Vai, and Yorn on vocals came out for a raucous version of Neil Young's “Rockin in the Free World.” Morello was the bandleader, calling out audibles: who was up to solo or if another chorus was to be played. No one wanted it to stop. Yorn left in exchange for Cantrell who sang Thin Lizzy's “Jailbreak.” Then Farrell and Copeland replaced Cantrell and Barker for Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition,” which included a Flea bass solo.

Most musicians cleared out, but the crowd wasn’t given the luxury of a breather as Morello and Barker stayed behind while Davey Havok from AFI and the house band took the stage. Havok told the audience he was about to live his dream out: singing The Cult's “Fire Woman.” Farrell joined in and Barker’s drumsticks signaled the beginning of Adam and the Ants’ “Ant Music.” Farrell made way for State Radio and Wayne Kramer who took part in Madonna’s “4 Minutes.” They didn't know it that well and the idea worked better on paper. Havok left and Cantrell grabbed a guitar to assist Kramer singing the rowdy “Kick Out The Jams” to cleanse our ears.  Cantrell left as the guys on stage returned to world of pop music with Rihanna’s “Umbrella.”

Article Author: El Bicho

This writer is a member of The Masked Movie Snobs, a collective that fights a never-ending battle against bad entertainment. Follow at twitter.com/ElBicho_MMS

Visit El Bicho's author page — El Bicho's Blog