Concert Review
Tony Orlando
Great American Christmas
Seneca Niagara Events Center
Niagara Falls, NY
Wednesday December 11, 2013
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
Tony Orlando brought his Great American Christmas show to the Seneca Niagara Events Center Wednesday Afternoon for his first of seven shows spread over a five day period. He is celebrating the holiday with his Christmas show which displayed to the audience why he has lasted in this business for over fifty two years. Orlando was in fine voice despite saying he had a cold that he was trying to shake.
Surprisingly he began with his biggest song the old classic “Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree.” From there he took the fans for a stroll down memory lane with a medley of “Candida” and “Knock Three Times” before ending the first segment with another one of his blockbuster’s “Say, Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose.”
Orlando brought up some local history as he asked the near capacity crowd if they remembered the old Melody Fair Theater. He also mentioned how DJ Danny Neaverth from WKBW was the first one to play his soon to be #1 hit “Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree” in the country before anyone.
Tony had a stellar lineup of musicians who each had a chance to strut their stuff during the show. Tony’s band included guitarist Tracey Cole, keyboardist/guitarist Kerry Cole, bassist Jim Shelton and drummer Jimmy Keegan. Keegan did an interesting solo which had himself and Orlando at the head of the stage tapping away on a wooden stool at one point. Keegan is also the drummer for progressive outfit Spock’s Beard. The band also included Tony’s brother David on keyboards as well as Toni Wine, also on keyboards. Wine is known for co-writing “Candida” as well as several well-known commercial jingles.
The Christmas segment featured several well known classics as well as a visit from Santa. Santa and Orlando delivered what they felt was the true reason for holiday season and as they demonstrated through song and message.
It was great to see Tony Orlando finally appear in the area as it has been quite some time since his last show. The show went over smoothly as he delivered a feel good show that left everyone feeling in the holiday spirit. The only thing that could have made this show better would have been the inclusion of more of his hit songs. Perhaps on his next visit he will step out and hopefully treat the fans with some more of those Orlando standards.
Set List
Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree
Candida/Knock Three Times
Say, Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose
Come Go With Me
Harmonizing Nights ( I Did It For You)
Spanish Harlem
Stand By Me
Kerry Cole segment
Luchenbach, Texas
I Walk The Line
You Are My Sunshine (Snippet)
I Got You Babe
Whole Lotta Love
America
Xmas Segment
Jingle Bell Rock
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
White Christmas
Grown Up Xmas List
Because Of Xmas Day
Tie A Yellow Ribbon (modern)
Silent Night
Feliz Navidad (Reprise)
O’ Come All Ye Faithfull
