Jonny Lang
@ The Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, June 22, 1997


Jonny Lang - 6/22/97
Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater
Photo © 1997 by Tom Asp
All rights reserved
Teen blues phenomenon, Jonny Lang delivered another blockbuster performance at one of his consistently sold out shows. I have been watching Jonny grow up on stage over the past two years since he first hit the Twin Cities from his native Fargo, North Dakota home. It was the summer of 1995 when he arrived in town with the Big Bang. He was 14 years old and several inches shorter than he is now. He has been playing to enthusiastic, sold out crowds ever since those initial first shows. Some were quite memorable, like the night he performed at the Mirage, opening for Tyrone Davis. The audience's initial reaction was "who is this white kid and what does he think he knows about the blues!" After a few songs the mood began to change and soon he had the audience up and dancing. By the end of his show he had them in the palm of his hand. At that point he didn't let go, instead he squeezed tighter as he jumped down off the stage and began a walk about the audience playing a blistering guitar solo. He was being mobbed by the crowd at this point - everyone trying to get a closer look and touch him.


Jonny Lang - 6/22/97
Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater
Photo © 1997 by Tom Asp
All rights reserved
This night at the zoo may not have been as remarkable but it was equally exciting. G.B. Leighton opened for Lang with his popular brand of roots rock. You could tell by the enthusiastic response, Leighton had a lot of loyal Twin Cities fans in attendance. Jonny Lang followed, walking on stage playing his flying-V guitar which he put aside after the first song. The next song, "Love Me Tonight," was written by Jeff Hayes. Jonny has been performing it since I first saw him two years ago, and the song remains one of my favorites. Lang delivers this R&B song with a raspy vocal quality that is filled with soul and passion well beyond his years. The first time I saw Lang perform the song was on this same stage, in 1995, when he opened for Tab Benoit. Tonight, I brought my 14 year old daughter along. She was the envy of all her friends for the next week, which is an indication of the wider appeal he is generating.

Jonny Lang is a superb showman on stage exhibiting poise and confidence not often found in your typical 16 year olds. He has a special stage presence and charisma that attracts attention.

Jonny Lang - 6/22/97
Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater
Photo © 1997 by Tom Asp
All rights reserved
When he is singing or playing a guitar solo he eyes are usually closed, his hair is flying and his mouth is wide open - he is totally absorbed in the moment.

As the rain began to fall and Jonny continued with his guitar fireworks, the crowd started to cheer with each lightning strike that flashed across the sky in the background. The rain didn't seem to dampen anyone's enjoyment of the show.

Bruce McCabe, Twin Cities keyboard legend, served up some great solos throughout the night. He was joined by his brother Larry playing Trombone on the song "Rack 'em Up," which Bruce wrote for the Jonny Lang CD, "Lie To Me." There was a fun solo where Jonny was mimicking Larry's trombone parts on his guitar - they were trading licks in a dueling banjo type sequence that was exciting to watch. Joining Bruce and Jonny on stage were Doug Nelson on bass, Paul Diethelm who plays a mean guitar himself, and Billy Thommes on drums. With temperatures in the humid mid 80's, Jonny's tank top was soaked with sweat as the all-to-short evening of music in the zoo came to a satisfying end.


Jonny Lang - 6/22/97
Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater
Photo © 1997 by Tom Asp
All rights reserved
At the recent Minnesota Music Awards, Jonny Lang won top honors for both best blues band and best blues recording. The word is also out that Jonny will be appearing in the new "Blues Brothers Movie." Touring on the success of his new album, "Lie To Me," Lang doesn't get to play in town as often as he used to, so it was great to catch him in the area. It has been fun watching Lang mature as a performer and musician during these past two years and I look forward to what he will be bringing to the blues world in the years to come.








Mailbox E-mail Ray Stiles at: mnblues@aol.com

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Copyright © 1997 by Ray M. Stiles
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