Category Archives: BOK Center

Weekend Reflections – Tulsa’s Cesar Pelli’s Duct Tape

Reflections off Tulsa’s BOK Center featuring a 600 foot long and 103 foot tall glass panel tilted at 5 degrees that wraps partway around the building. It’s always good for reflections.

The building was designed by Cesar Pelli and of course he used all sorts of local influences such Tulsa’s Native American and art deco heritage. He won’t admit but I think he was thinking about tornadoes that frequent tornado alley. Personally I love the building even though it reminds some of my fellow Tulsans of a roll of duct tape coming undone or maybe even a big old hubcap. Speaking of tornadoes, I hope that one never hits that glass panel. We’ll have glass all over Tulsa when that happens.

Weekend Reflections

Stevie Nicks and Rod Stewart at the BOK Center in Tulsa

Wednesday night Sweetie and headed downtown. The first stop was the penthouse bar at the Mayo Hotel for drinks.

And then on over to the BOK Center, my employer was nice enough to give us tickets to see Stevie Nicks and Rod Stewart together. I had had never thought of them belonging together but you know they both had their peak in the that brief time between rock and roll and disco (ughhhhhh).

Stevie Nicks opened up and sang eleven songs including several Fleetwood Mac Songs like “Dreams” and “Gold Dust Woman.”

Everybody was commenting on the drummers hair. Maybe he has been on the road too long. What do you think?

Ms. Nicks also sang a haunting “Soldier’s Angel” based on her visit to Walter Reed hospital several years ago.

I saw Fleetwood Mac in the early 1980’s when I lived in Houston. One thing I remembered was the onstage dressing room she had. Well she has a fancier version now.

I used to think that she had only one song, “Rhiannon” and not much range to her voice. Well I decided a long time ago that she is what she is.

She brought a shawl out and twirled about with it. She said it was from an early 80’s MTV music video.

I am not going to be rude and say how old she is. She still looks and sounds great.

Stevie Nicks Set List

Next up was Rod Stewart. Stevie Nicks was sultry and seducing. Rod was sassy and fully of energy.

He brought a large band with him and they did great, especially his violin player.

And his saxophonist. I guess that the guy who sings “Hot Legs” would want short dresses on his musicians.

Not that I noticed.

He opened up with “Love Train” and went right through his hits, “Tonight’s the Night (Gonna be Allright)”, and eneded with “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy”.

A surprising number of his songs are covers, don’t matter.

His backup singers were pretty good, and also had short dresses.

He brought the Tulsa Strings out to accompany on a few songs. A nice local touch.

This being Oklahoma and all somebody threw their hat on stage. Mr. Stewart wore it, cooties and all.

He is getting kind of old also but he kicked a bunch of soccer balls into the stands. He is good at it.

A great time was had by all!!

Rod Stewart Set List

Van Halen in Tulsa at the BOK Center

Monday night Sweetie and I went to see Van Halen in downtown Tulsa at the BOK Center.

Van Halen is now, left to right, Wolfgang Van Halen, David Lee Roth, Eddie and Alex Van Halen. Eddie is Wolfgang’s dad. I love that name Wolfgang.

It was great to see David Lee Roth. I know he is a pain in the butt, but without him, I lost interest in Van Halen. Kind of like when Michael Jordan quit basketball you know.

The rocked and rolled, they have been at it for 40 years now.

Everybody seemed to be playing along nicely.

I bet it is great for Eddie to be on stage with his son.

Wolfgang is going to be great. Right now he is in the background.

But he looks like a rock star doesn’t he.

The stage was very simple. New gewgaws or anything but they had the biggest screen I’ve ever seen, outside of the Dallas Cowboys Stadium screen.

(from setlist.fm)

They played all their hits. Ain’t Talking About Love is the most thrilling rock anthem I’ve ever heard live. Here is the music from it. Sorry, even though it is Youtube it is just a static picture while you are listening to the music.

Van Halen gets five out of five stars for their performance. Go see them when they come to your town.

The Black Keys El Camino Tour at BOK Arena Tulsa

Saturday night Sweetie and I loaded up, dropped SuperPizzaBoy off at Nana’s and headed off downtown to the BOK Center to see the Black Keys.

The Black Keys are two guys from Ohio, Dan Auerbach who sings and plays the guitar and Patrick Carney who plays the drums. They have other guys out on the stage for many of the songs but they also do a bunch with just Carney and Auerbach.

The stage is set up a little differently than most rock bands. The drums are right up front and Carney faces Auerbach. You can tell they are really in synch.

Auerbach sings with a very strong clear voice and is a great guitar player. I had never thought of them as being a rock band, I was wrong. I need to turn the V up.

They started and just sang, no little riffs about and inside jokes, just playing.

They didn’t have an elaborate set but I did enjoy the laser light show.

Listening to music on an ipod or in your car is nice, but there is nothing like seeing it live.

Try this video out. Turn it up, all they way. Remember, if its too loud then you are to old. I’m giving the Black Keys five stars out of five for a concert. It was wonderful.

The Arctic Monkeys opened for the Black Keys. I think they are opening for all the Black Keys concerts on this El Camino Tour.

They are from England and I would have to say their music is a little punkish along the lines of Green Day but with a lot more reverb. The lead singer, Alex Turner, had a very powerful voice. I was also very impressed with the drummer, Matt Helders. He could really play the drums. Not that I know a thing about it.

They made heavy use of the strobe lights during the first part of their set. I was glad we were in our seats when the music started. Between the roar of the band and the strobe lights it was very overwhelming. I guess that I am borderline too old.

I give Arctic Monkeys also a five stars out of five.

Go see them if they come to town, or go get their cd’s or download something.

Mainly I recommend listening to any sort of music you want,except disco of course. Go see a local band.

Miranda Lambert at the BOK Center

My very nice boss and considerate boss gave me two tickets to go see Miranda Lambert in concert Thursday evening at the BOK Center here in Tulsa. So off we went.

She is a blonde country singer. When son SuperPizzaBoy was just a small lad he liked to watch the blonde country singer on the GAC channel. Is there still a GAC around. Nowdays my 5’11” little boy likes to watch SpongeBob Squarepants. Should I be worried?

Ms. Lambert gave it her all!

(Thought I’d throw this in, Sweeetie and I chilling at the concert.)

Lambert got a little tired and they brought her couch out so she could rest a little bit. Notice the boots. I think those are her geocaching boots. She better get some long pants and deet though, the ticks and chiggers will eat her up otherwise.

In case you are not familiar with her here is a video.

Chris Young opened up. He was a great opening act. He has a wide range of music he sings and has a great voice.

The other opener was Jerrod Niemann. He was really good.

Another performer with a strong voice and wide range of styles to draw on.

Funny thing is that Young and Niemann both really connected with the audience. Tulsa is an old time music city with lots of heritage and they appreciate good music of all kinds.

Something I really like in a concert is when the headliner brings in the openers for a song. I love that kind of graciousness and generosity. Lambert brought both Young and Niemann out.

Anyway, a great time was had by all!

YogisDen.us

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