I am enjoying not just a retro summer but a retro year of rock and roll. All the acts I've been enjoying are from decades past, some long past. That's with the exception blues-rock guitarist/vocalist Joe Bonamassa who is only 32, and who blew me away with an unbeleivable, amazing performance.   My most recent concert though, was on a beautiful night in Lake Tahoe, an outdoor show under the stars behind Harvey's Hotel on South Shore. It was a double concert featuring Huey Lewis and the News, followed by Joe Cocker. Huey was huge in the 80's, Cocker stretches all the way back to the 60's. In fact I saw Joe Cocker in 1969 when he was a long-haired, curly, black-haired wildman with a frenetic stage presence including weird, herky-jerky motions and facial ticks. Anyway, the show was terrific. Both Lewis and Cocker seemed to be energized by the big, appreciative crowd on hand. Lewis sang all his hits and there were a lot of them. He played for a full 1:30. Then out came Cocker and he was incredible. The hair is gone, the body carries more weight, the crazy moves toned down a lot, but the voice remains. That unique, gravelly, gargle-with-razor blades voice which sets him apart is still there. He bounced on to the stage and just ripped into "Hitchcok Railway" and was unstoppable himself for the next hour and a half. "Feelin' All Right", "She Came In Through the Bathroom Window", "Unchain My Heart", "The Letter", "With a Little Help From My Friends", "Cry Me A River", and "Up Where We Belong".  What a great night. If you get a chance, don't miss it.

        This was just the latest though, having seen Bruce Springsteen, Peter Frampton, and believe it or not, Herman's Hermits this year.I even went to one of those Doo-Wop concerts you see on the PBS telethons. I actually got to hear The Tokens sing "Lion Sleeps Tonight" and the lead singer sings it in the same key he did 40 years ago. I must say however, I resisted, and did not go to see Frank Sinatra Jr even though we were offered free tickets.  The only concert on my list that was a definite disappointment was Van Halen.  Still on my list: Crosby, Stills and Nash on Sept 22, and yes, Springsteen again, December 4 in Anaheim. I would be a lot better off financially if I didn't spend all my disposable income on concerts.