Paul Rodgers Rocks The Club at The
Cannery Casino & Hotel
Legendary rock vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Paul Rodgers performed
at The Club at The Cannery Casino & Hotel for a one-night-only concert
on June 7th. Often called the greatest voice in rock, Rodgers fronted
seminal British blues-rock band Free before forming Bad Company in 1973
and The Firm in 1984, with ex-Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page. Two years later
he formed The Law with former Small Faces/Who drummer Kenny Jones.
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
His current namesake band includes lead guitarist Howard Leese (formerly
of Heart), guitarist Curtis Dengler, bassist Lynn Sorensen (Sex &
Violins Band) and drummer Jeff Kathan.
Opening with the rock anthem “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love” to an
ecstatic reception from the audience, Rodgers played to a crowd that
ranged in age from 30-somethings to those who could be said to be “long
retired.” The phenomenon of elderly rockers is unique to the boomer
generation, and many of the men looked as if they’d be more comfortable
swinging a golf club than head bangin’ to the beat. Many hadn’t mouthed
these lyrics out loud since Carter was in office. Arthritic knee and
elbow joints replaced the hand-rolled kind and prescription drugs now
took the place of the type they should have said no to, but didn’t (it
was the 70’s after all). Still, the unifying force of music was at work,
with Rodgers’s at the helm.
Paul Rodgers
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Two video screens flanked the stage rendering close-up views of the
singer and his band against a backdrop of purple stars and multi-colored
track lighting that emanated from the ceiling. Rodgers, in jeans and a
dress shirt that seemed to be full of clock faces without hands,
enthusiastically covered the stage in large strides, stopping every now
and then to shake a hand and connect with the crowd. Looking like a
version of fellow Brit and icon Eric Clapton, Rodgers showed
considerable energy – no slowing down for this perpetual rocker. His
band was in fine sonic form, as they needed to be to highlight such an
iconic voice.
Paul Rodgers
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Continuing the set with “Rock Steady” and “Runnin’ With the Pack,” which
Rodgers accompanied on piano, the band came together as a cohesive unit
with an impressive talent for keeping the rock legacy alive. “Feel Like
Makin’ Love” had the audience on their feet, pounding out the rhythm as
if they’d created it, while geometric circles of light on the stage’s
backdrop changed from orange to green to red to purple to blue.
“Louisiana Blues” highlighted his harmonica skills, giving a Cajun
flavor to the number. Other band members performed periodic solo numbers
to give Rodgers’ voice a well-needed break. His sound is the entire
show, and when he did reappear he immediately launched into another
number, this one being an evocative cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Little
Wing,” incorporating an audience sing-along. This was followed by an
original song written by bass player Lynn Sorensen, which continued with
Rodgers’ “Ready For Love” and a sexy guitar solo by lead guitarist
Howard Leese.
Curtis Dengler and Howard Leese
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Lynn Sorensen
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Howard Leese
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Hoisting the mic stand like a barbell, Rodgers’ high-energy “Youngblood”
evoked a wild, enthusiastic wave of movement from the crowd. Patrons
that found their way to the bar once too often swayed and gyrated a
little too close to one another. “Rock n” Roll Fantasy” showed off his
tambourine skills to a willing audience sporting stud belts, rock tees
and bifocals. Rock n’ Roll lives in this man’s vocal chords.
“Shooting Star” was another sing-along and a bit of a double-edged
sword. The audience interaction is engaging for those who like to belt
out the lyrics, but Rodgers is the man with the golden throat. I can
hear inebriated boomers braying to the beat in any karaoke bar. “Wishing
Well” brought more mic play from our man, but when the band broke into
Free’s “All Right Now,” it was the musicians’ turn to shine. The musical
riffs are just as recognizable as the lyrics in pulling off the spirit
and the era of the classic, and the band brought it back to the crowd
with all of the nostalgia intact. The song was recognized by ASCAP for
garnering more than one million radio plays in the United States alone.
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
A generous Rodgers treated the audience to a four-song encore, beginning
with the very recognizable piano intro on “Bad Company” followed by
“Inside of My Love” and the acoustic “Take This Heart” from a solo
album. The final, bluesy, “Standing Around Crying”, a Muddy Waters
cover, got the audience swaying (they were already in a swoon from the
musical time machine Rodgers provided).
Rodgers’ career spans four decades. He’s had six multi-platinum albums
with Bad Company and wrote many of their songs: "Shooting Star", "Runnin’
With The Pack", "Rock Steady" and "Rock 'n Roll Fantasy" on which he
played all of the guitar parts. He’s performed alongside Aretha
Franklin, The Temptations, Sam Moore, Mary Wilson, Ashford and Simpson
and The Four Tops. He’s sold in excess of 125 million records around the
world.
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Rodgers has also released a handful of solo albums, including “Cut
Loose” (1983) and “The Morning After the Night Before/Northwind” (1984),
both for Atlantic Records. His 1990s output includes “Muddy Water Blues:
A Tribute to Muddy Waters” (1993, Victory Records) and “The Hendrix
Set”, a mini-CD released that same year. “Muddy Water Blues” was
nominated for a Grammy and features guest performances by Slash, Richie
Sambora of Bon Jovi, Jeff Beck, Steve Miller, Buddy Guy, and Pink
Floyd's David Gilmour.
Rodgers’ latest solo CD/DVD release “Live in Glasgow” charted
internationally and was certified Gold. He is currently completing
recording sessions for the upcoming “Queen + Paul Rodgers” album release
and world tour.
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Not only does Rodgers still have it, but performances like this prove
he’s never lost it. He makes it look easy. The difficulty is ours in
deciding how to thank him for giving us back a musical piece of our
youth, seemingly so far away and irretrievable. Rodgers is able to
summon it back for us with a song.
For further information:
www.cannerycasinos.com.
www.paulrodgers.com.
Paris Hotel’s Mon Ami Gabi Offers
New Dishes, Wine Tasting
Photo credit: Jacqueline Monahan
Are you smarter than a Sommelier? Mon Ami Gabi wants to know. The French
bistro and sidewalk café’s wine tasting will take place on Tuesday, June
24th and offers over 60 different wines from various regions. At $65 per
person, that’s about one dollar per glass (you don’t drink, just taste)
a real value. A Sommelier, for the uninitiated, is a wine director
skilled in pairing different types of wine with complementary food
choices. Rolling wine carts within the restaurant can attest to the
variety and portability of France’s most beloved libation.
Photo credit: Jacqueline Monahan
Mon Ami Gabi, the Strip’s only sidewalk café, is a superb place to
people watch while enjoying American cuisine with a French flair.
Cordial, knowledgeable servers in formalwear guide you through the
tempting fare. Red umbrellas shield guests from the desert sun and the
bustling venue is rarely without a waiting line, many opting to go the
longer route for an outside table. The restaurant also offers inside
seating in three different ambiances (aside from a rather dark but
elegant bar area at the entrance). Guests may opt for the traditional
dining room with its enormous lighting fixtures, dark wood accents and
high ceilings; or perhaps the solarium-like outer area (still inside,
but almost out the door). Finally, there are the coveted umbrella-tables
right on the Strip, across from the Bellagio Fountains and its
spectacular water show.
Photo credit: Jacqueline Monahan
Some of the restaurant’s seasonal offerings, according to Sous Chef Matt
Thompson, include Braised Short Ribs served with Pommes Puree (whipped
potatoes) which is available on Sundays only, and a Bacon Wrapped Pork
Tenderloin with a Stone Fruit Relish. There’s also a Lamb T-bone with
Ratatouille and Salsa Verde. Special dishes will also be offered for the
French holiday known as Bastille Day, July 14th.
Chef Matt Thompson
Photo credit: Jacqueline Monahan
I was fortunate enough to visit the charming eatery for one brunch and
one dinner, garnering the most menu offerings from which to choose. It’s
always great when you can order eggs at noon, and Mon Ami Gabi’s Eggs
Benedict with Salmon is a delight worthy of your palate from early
morning through late afternoon. A half-dozen oysters on the half shell
went down smoothly and a bit too quickly (my fault). The Belgian Waffle
with Nutella and Cream was so devilishly decadent that it could have
been served with a pitchfork as the preferred utensil. A Mimosa cocktail
in a champagne flute added just the right touch of color and elegance to
the table, not to mention a mild “kick.”
Photo credit: Jacqueline Monahan
Dinner service includes a serving of “Amuse” accompanied by a warm
baguette in its own white bag. Amuse consists of shredded carrots with a
sprinkling of parsley that is tossed in a champagne vinaigrette. It’s a
light snack, something to munch on while you wait for your food, but not
big enough to be called an appetizer. It’s also addicting, something you
must experience firsthand. Fish and meat dishes are tender and expertly
cooked, never overdone. A tenderloin almost did not need a knife to cut
it.
The Onion Soup Au Gratin arrives in a tall white crock covered with
cheese and loaded with onions and croutons. It’s only a cliché until you
taste it, my friends; then it becomes an obsession.
The restaurant offers a variety of appetizers (hot and cold), entrees
and desserts. The Smoked Salmon with brioche, crème fraîche, red onions
and capers is so attractively served; it almost looks too pretty to eat.
Almost. I nearly vacuumed the plate clean in my haste to layer the
flavors into each satisfying bite. Daily fish specials (Poisson du Jour)
show off the impressive flair for perfection that happily haunts the
kitchen, and a Dover Sole did not spend much time on the plate when it
arrived. Sharing a dish inevitably leads to coveting thy neighbor’s
fare. There are a dozen varieties of steak and a dish featuring skate, a
form or stingray. Sides include Whipped Cauliflower, Garlic Spinach and
Frites (not your usual French fries).
Plats du Jour are daily specials, currently featuring Cassoulet
Toulousain, (casserole of Pork Sausage, Duck Confit & Beans) on Sunday,
a Filet Mignon with Truffle Butter on Monday, Duck L'Orange on Tuesday,
Braised Lamb Shoulder with Chickpea Crepes on Wednesday, Dover Sole
Meuniere on Thursday, Beef Wellington on Friday (not fish!), and an Herb
Crusted Rib Eye on Saturday. Speaking from experience, this rib eye will
make you roll yours in pleasure.
Photo credit: Jacqueline Monahan
On the lighter side, several elegant salads can satisfy those who
wouldn’t think of a meal without greens. The Salade Maison incorporates
goat cheese and croutons in an herb vinaigrette, while the Leek & Mâche
Salad hosts blood orange and hazelnut within its leafy confines and the
Butter Lettuce Salad is graced by apple, Gruyère cheese and walnuts.
Salmon and Ahi tuna star in their own salad productions as well.
Photo credit: Jacqueline Monahan
Desserts include Profiteroles (vanilla ice cream filled pastry with
fudge sauce), Chocolate Mousse, Crème Brûlée, Tarte Tatin (warm apple
tarte, candied caramel sauce), Pear, Apple and Cranberry Crumble, and
Sorbet du Jour.
Casual dress is the order of the day and walk-ins are accepted.
Reservations are for indoor seating only. Outdoor seating is on
first-come, first-serve basis. Personal wines are welcome, but a corkage
fee applies. Mon Ami Gabi has sister restaurants in Chicago and Oak
Brook, Illinois, and Bethesda, Maryland.
There’s a definite possibility of overindulgence here, which may leave
you feeling like a little cochon (piggy); but this one cries Oui! Oui!
Oui! all the way home, and returns again and again and again…
For further information:
Mon Ami Gabi
(Located in Paris Las Vegas)
3655 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas NV 89109
Phone: (702) 944-4224
Hours:
Brunch: Sat-Sun 11AM - 3PM;
Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30AM - 3:45PM;
Dinner: Sun-Thurs 4PM - 11PM;
Fri-Sat 4PM - 12AM;
Website: http://www.monamigabi.com
