Columnist Spencer Patterson: Was the Stones’ show at The Joint inferior? Yes

Spencer Patterson

Friday, Dec. 6, 2002 | 8:52 a.m.

Spencer Patterson covers music for the Sun. His music notes column appears Fridays. Reach him at spencer@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-2309.

Strange as it may sound, the Rolling Stones could have learned a thing or two by watching Yes on Tuesday night.

Four days after the Stones failed to dazzle in their much-hyped appearance at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel, Yes proved that a band known for producing big sounds in large arenas can also thrive in a club setting.

From the outset, the prog-rock group's sound mix was crystal clear. It was possible to pick out every note emanating from Steve Howe's guitar, Chris Squires' bass and Rick Wakeman's keyboard, with all three perfectly balanced with Jon Anderson's vocals and Alan White's drums.

Certainly, some of the Stones' appeal stems from the band's raw-edged, dense sound. But Friday night the mix was so poor that the famous guitar licks of Keith Richards and Ron Wood were drowned out by the band's four-piece horn section and Darryl Jones' booming basslines.

Yes tailored its set list to its surroundings, selecting intricate pieces such as "Awaken" and "We Have Heaven/South Side of the Sky," songs that took advantage of The Joint's top-notch acoustics and showed off the musicians' significant skills.

The Stones didn't seem to consider the venue when selecting their program, blowing the roof off the 1,500-capacity club with jarring renditions of "Start Me Up" and "Brown Sugar." An opportunity for the band to strip down and flex its blues power -- as it did briefly the following night at MGM Grand Garden Arena -- was lost.

Yes also appeared to enjoy its proximity to the audience, which included more than a few diehards. Decked out like extras from the impending "Lord of the Rings" sequel, the five fiftysomethings smiled and exuded enthusiasm, while the new-age Anderson told stories and jokes between songs.

By contrast, the Stones were visibly uncomfortable. Unable to roam amid 13 musicians on such a small stage, Richards and Wood bickered audibly (according to fans with vantage points far better than mine). And, unlike Anderson, Mick Jagger made few attempts to engage the audience directly during breaks in the music.

Considering the Rolling Stones played The Joint just two weeks earlier -- for a private party on Nov. 16 -- I never would have expected them to come off like small-club novices.

And I certainly wouldn't have predicted a band of elves would upstage the World's Greatest Rock & Roll Band.

Music notes

Horsin' around: With the National Finals Rodeo in town tonight through Dec. 15, area venues have scheduled an array of contemporary country music acts to appeal to rodeo enthusiasts.

Keith Urban begins a three-show stint at Las Vegas Hilton Theater tonight at 10. The New Zealand native, considered one of country's top young guitar players, released his second album, "Golden Road," in October. Trick Pony opens. Tickets are $35, $45 and $55.

Veteran performer Randy Travis also starts a run of three shows tonight with a 10 p.m. appearance at The Orleans. Regarded as one of the genre's all-time greats, the 43-year-old North Carolinian has released more than 20 albums, including this year's "Trail of Memories" two-disc anthology. Tickets are $60, $70, $80.

Phil Vassar is up next, Sunday night at 8 at The Joint. After starting his career writing songs for such country stars as Tim McGraw and Alan Jackson, Vassar has recorded two albums of his own, including July's "American Child." Tickets are $25.50, $30.50 and $35.50.

Popular duo Brooks & Dunn pick up after Urban at the Las Vegas Hilton, with three shows Monday through Wednesday at 10:30 p.m. Fixtures on country stations since the early 1990s with No. 1 hits like "Boot Scootin' Boogie" and "Brand New Man," they most recently put out a Christmas album, "It Won't Be Christmas Without You." Tickets are $50 and $60.

Finally, the Las Vegas Hilton Theater hosts Country Music Television's "Most Wanted Tour," featuring Brad Paisley and Darryl Worley, with three shows Thursday through next Saturday at 10:30 p.m. The young singer/songwriters have been hailed as two of the genre's top up-and-coming acts. Both have two albums to their credit. Tickets are $30, $40 and $50.

Rooftop, take two: Two years after performing atop The Rio's rooftop for the "Billboard Music Awards," hard rock band Creed will go even higher for the 2002 show. The group will play on the Stratosphere's outdoor observation deck Saturday at 9 p.m. -- a stunt that will be filmed and aired during Monday night's Billboard telecast.

The public is invited to attend. Admission to the tower is $8, $4 for local residents with valid Nevada identification.

Who's in?: The Who has released official soundboard recordings of its 2002 live concerts, including the Sept. 14 appearance at The Joint, through online site themusic.com. The complete Vegas show, spread out over two discs, sells for 20 pounds, or approximately $31, including postage from London.

Quick hits

A look at a few of the shows scheduled to hit Southern Nevada in the next week:

Alternative rockers Counting Crows play the The Joint tonight at 8 p.m. Their fourth album, "Hard Candy," was released over the summer to the strongest reviews the band has received since its 1993 breakthrough, "August and Everything After." Tickets are $42.50.

Rap-metal outfit Kottonmouth Kings hit the Huntridge Theatre Saturday night at 7. The Orange County, Calif., natives released their fifth album, "Rollin' Stoned," in October. Ill Kid, Mower and Last Laugh are also on the bill. Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the door.

British hard-rock veterans Def Leppard perform Sunday night at 7:30 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. The group, best known for such 1980s hits as "Photograph" and "Pour Some Sugar on Me," released "X," its first album in three years, in July. Tickets are $35 and $45.

Woodstock alum Joe Cocker plays Thursday night at 8 at The Joint. The 58-year-old singer/songwriter, whose spastic onstage behavior once inspired a John Belushi "Saturday Night Live" parody, is famous for covering such classics as The Beatles' "With a Little Help From My Friends," Traffic's "Feelin' Alright" and Billy Preston's "You Are so Beautiful." Tickets are $41.50, $57.50 and $80.50

On sale

Blues great B.B, King returns to Las Vegas Jan. 3 at the House of Blues. Tickets are $75, $100 and $125 and are on sale at the House of Blues box office, at Ticketmaster outlets, online at ticketmaster.com and by phone at 632-7600 or 474-4000.

Tickets for country veteran George Strait's Jan. 24 show at the Mandalay Bay Events Center go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. Seats are $35, $55 and $75 and will be available at the Mandalay Bay Events Center box office, at Ticketmaster outlets, online at ticketmaster.com or by phone at 632-7580 or 474-4000.

Jakob Dylan's band, Wallflowers, will play the House of Blues on Jan. 24. Tickets are $25 and $40 and go on sale Saturday at noon at the House of Blues box office, at Ticketmaster outlets, online at ticketmaster.com and by phone at 632-7600 or 474-4000.

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