Hanson Hotel: Diane's Detroit Pine Knob Review

Diane's Detroit Pine Knob Review
June 29, 1998

After my experience at Pine Knob, I am convinced more than ever that Hanson is three very talented musicians who, when they are performing their music, are right where they belong.

Before the show

In the beginning, I thought I wouldn't make it to the Pine Knob show. Then, because of changes in my schedule and my willingness to fork over big bucks to get tickets from a Ticket Broker, I was on my way. The only problem - I was going all by myself! After e-mailing self-descriptions and making a plan to meet two friends from the internet, we never hooked up.

With great relief, I saw a girl carrying a sign that said : AFH (meaning alt.fan.hanson newsgroup.) She was there by herself, too and just as happy to find a friend to share the excitement. {{{{{{big hug to Sharon}}}}}} It wouldn't have been as fun without you!

Sharon was about 15 rows closer than me and waved at me to join her - there were 3 empty seats in front of her! I was now in the 14th row, straight out from Isaac! WAHOO!!!

As we stood there (I didn't sit down anywhere from 5:00 till 11:00,) I was sure the next person coming down the aisle would boot me out. When Admiral Twin came on (I'll get to them in a minute,) the girls (should I say ladies?) next to us saw how much fun Sharon and I (28 and 33 yrs old) were having jammin' to AT and they showed us their sign - Adult Hanson Fans! They were Kim and Michelle, from the website Hansonology. "Cool!" I said, "I've been to your site - I think I even e-mailed you!" It gets better --- they had an extra ticket for the seat next to them --- WHEW! So when the people showed up (halfway through the show) to boot Sharon and I out, Sharon was able to go just behind us to her seat and Kim and Michelle let me use their extra seat. {{{{{{Kim&Michelle}}}}}} (FYI, security at Pine Knob was pretty strict about booting ppl without seats.)

Admiral Twin

Ashley's right about these guys - they rocked! What a tough crowd they had to perform for - and they put on a great show. I'll be ordering their Unlucky CD today. They were really cool in connecting with the crowd, too. Nobody was standing between Sharon and I and the stage and we were dancing and clapping our hands, just jammin' to the music. We did get a couple of looks from them - that was fun! I gotta say, John on guitar is a mighty fine looking man ... I was flumping and thudding all over the place! (Cannot believe I said that!)

Right Where They Belong

Now about Hanson. Throughout the entire concert, it kept running through my head - these guys are right where they belong! They are all three exceptionally talented musicians who are right at home in front of a crowd. The music was definitely the focus of this show ... no explosions or stage mechanics - it was all about the music. And the music was Hanson at their best!

Isaac is getting better and better at his guitar riffs. I noticed especially on Where's the Love, he's added some cool, funky stuff. And his voice is stronger than ever. He had some great bass lines in Summertime Blues - made me wonder if he had help from the sound man they were so low. And of course, there was More Than Anything. I'd never heard this song before - I only hope it makes the Live Album. It has a beautiful keyboard intro (almost as stirring as the music he plays in the Bali scenes of TTMON) and the words to this song are phenomenal - he wrote this when he was how old???

Taylor has definitely got the connection with the crowd. But, again, musically he has been blessed with a gift. Most musicians tend to lose their voice quality when they're on the road. I really thought because he has the lead on most songs, his voice would not be in top form - I was WRONG! Hearing him do Stories now versus the 3CG version was extraordinary (again - hope it makes the Live Album!) And his acapella ending to With You in Your Dreams ... well ... I think my heart literally stopped beating! Now I gotta be honest, I never thought Taylor was more than an average keyboard player. He always seems to stick to chords and never does very melodious intro's to songs - BUT - I'm WRONG again! His intro's on the covers Money and Summertime Blues were awesome! Taylor can jam on the black and whites!

Zac never seems to get much credit as a musician - but he is just as gifted as his brothers! First of all, he was in full voice last night ... no signs of puberty from what I heard. On the cover Money, the first verse started and I'm looking at Taylor thinking I'm hearing his voice --- but ZAC's the one whose lips are moving! Could it be? I really was in shock on this one. In addition, he still holds up the high end with his ooh's on Madeline and all the other songs that he sings alto/soprano/whatever. Zac also proved his professionalism as a drummer once again. After Mmmbop, he brought a drum head out to the crowd and gave it to someone - apparently he broke his snare during the song. Then, he climbs back up and they start Man from Milwaukee. Picture this: Zac is singing lead, holding his own on a broken snare, and a tech comes from behind him with a new snare. As the tech switches the drums in slow motion, Zac keeps drumming away going from the new one to the old one all while he's singing the first verse of MFM! (Does that sound confusing? Guess you had to be there - but it was phenomenal!)

Some Highlights

For all you AFHer's - there really is a vacuum man! He came out after AT with a vacuum with "Hanson" written backwards all over it. I thought it was a joke - but it's true!
We're all enjoying the show, noticing nothing but the 3 blond wonders in front of us when Isaac says: "Wow, you guys have to turn around there's a beautiful sunset behind you." The whole crowd turns around and takes it in. Isaac - you have such a big heart, thanks for sharing that spectacular view!
He did it! Wish I'd had a camera! After the jam to introduce that backup musicians, Taylor jumped in behind the drums so Zac could come out and shoot us with the super-soaker. Taylor can jam on the drums - how cool is that? Hope Ash or Dad can get a good shot of this for the Live Video!
Not only is Ike beefin' up his guitar riffs ... he can slide, too. Yep - can't remember what song but he jumped up on the drumkit, jumped to his knees and slid to the front of the stage. GO ISAAC!
I've read some reviews where people don't like the new version of Sometimes. I thought it was cool! They've just funked it up a bit and made it a rock and roll song - but of course, I've always been part of the minority who likes Look at You, too.
They dedicated Ever Lonely to Ash again. You should've seen the grin on his face as he was filming during this song - and yes, his hair is now very short - looks good! I liked Ever Lonely alot. It's an upbeat, rockin' song. (I was expecting a ballad for some reason.) Only problem was that I really didn't catch any of the lyrics. Hope this one makes the Live Album, too, not only because it's a good song, but to find out what they're saying.
At one point in the concert Taylor said: "Apparently you guys already know about the one rule at a Hanson concert cuz your all standing up!"
The program is cool - its very similar to MOE. I thought it was interesting, there was a page featuring Ike and his choice of guitars/amps but no feature for Taylor or Zac. If you get the program, don't miss the precious picture of Isaac holding baby Zoe up over his head smiling at her!
Finally, after the Weird acapella, IT&Z were shaking hands and watering the front rows down and they forgot to do their bow! It was adorable - as they were leaving the stage Taylor remembers the bow and starts to turn around to go back out. Ike put a brotherly hand on Taylor's shoulder turning him back around as if to say: "Nope, it's too late for that!"

There was only one drawback I can think of right now. The signs. In all the concerts I have gone to over the years, I never remember people waving big signs in front of my face. Sharon and I asked the girls in front of us over and over to put down their signs. (The girls were pretty nice about it when we asked them.) But please ... don't they realize everyone wants to see the show - not the back of their sign? And, putting your e-mail address on a sign with a marriage proposal is not going to get you backstage!

Can't Wait for the Hollywood Bowl and the show at The Palace!

Yep - I'm going to at least two more concerts on the Albertane Tour! Last night was such a great time, I'm even thinking of trying to make the Chicago show, too! At the same time, last night was such a great time, what if the other concerts aren't as good? I mean 14th row - will it be as fun to be in the nosebleed section at the Palace?

I'll be sure to update if I remember anything else. And I'll be adding reviews following the other shows, too!

This page is in no way associated with Hanson or Island Records. All thoughts and writings are the sole property of me. Please email me with any comments or questions. Thank You.