3 replies to this topic

[DrLouu]

Hey folks,
My partner and I, Mr Mike (www.drloumusic.com) just got back from the Joe Piscopo PIF Blues Brothers show at Ceasars in Atlantic City.
I want to say that it was something I'll always remember, forever.
I even gained an ounce of respect for the ability of Jimmy B for doing the Jake part. He's got the face and if you don't look to close, you can see Jonny in his performance. Danny Boy is as big as a house and car port. But his ability to keep Elwood alive is amazing. We laughed so many times at the things they did.
The only acrobatics was a backward roll to a standing position by Jim. His hat cam off on the roll and his head was as bald as a white watermelon.
When they came out they both kind of did a congo line walk with shuffels in it back and fourth across the stage. Very low impact, but it worked.
They did some motown stuff, and the band, the Sacred Hearts, were as tight as a bulls bottom.
Dan did Rubber Biscuit, and added in some Beldar Conehead voices which really was fun.
The only down part was Jim broke charachter about 4 times to toss selected individuals off the stage.
There were two young boys dressed as the Blues Brothers in the audience and the crowd kind of pushed them up on stage while Jim was inviting hot chicks to dance with himself. Jim noticed the boys coming up, and intercepted them like a free saftey and pushed them quickly back into the crowd. Kinda rude, but the kids didn't plan on going up there.
Later he grabbed a guy with an Eagles(go birds) shirt who again, was dragged by the hand by one of the chicks Jim was inviting onto the stage for a song later in the show.
That guy Jim hugged the guy and pulled him backstage where cops got the guy and tossed him. The guy didn't go up there on his own though.
It's not that I think it's wrong to go on stage uninvited, but these people were kinda pushed into it, and that's hard to warrant a "bouncer" grabbing or pushing you. But the part that hurts is that it's hard to feel happy about a guy who is imitating the "Great John" Belushi's honest fun on stage, then jumps out of charachter to be mean, and back to being happy.
It kind of makes you think he really isn't enjoying himself as much as he lets on.
Besides, they should have bouncers to do that, not the lead singer.
Just my take.
I still loved the show, and the rest of the gang as well. Jim did a great performance, but it still is a performance, not a labor of love as it should be.
If anyone wants a picture of the brochure from the show, I'll be happy to send it.

[madmatt]

This is the kid who Jim Belushi Pushed off and man I tell you I left with a bit more then I was expecting and we actuailt have a talent agency we well be preforming for that well be cool

"In Blues We Trust"

[madmatt]

I wish I had a video of that show I would have loved to see the look on my face when Jim Belushi pushed me off stage I would have cracked up

[SolomanDHBlues]

Working in the performing arts since I was knee high to a cantaloupe, I can tell you now that there shouldn't be a need for bouncers to line up at the stage. And when you're a big star like Danny and Jim are, you have to deal all the time with strangers constantly hounding you for autographs and photographs...you know it has to become annoying at some point. But, that's why entertainers schedule autograph sessions (Jim did one after the show here last night).

I do think that if you're pulling people up onto the stage you have to expect that sooner or later someone is going to either be pulled up as an accessory to the person going up, or being pushed up by folks (as was this case), or just hopping up there themselves.

But you also have to remember that besides trying to keep a sense of order to the show, these guys are also in the process of protecting themselves, keeping a bum-rush of people from hoarding the stage, and the character of Brother Zee Blues is all about the women.

When I met him 2 years ago here in Memphis, is signed an autograph for me, but wouldn't take a photo with me (Danny did); this year, after the show and Zee got done with all the women, Jim came out to sign autographs and was very polite--rushed and tired--but polite enough that if you asked nicely, he would take a photo with you. (www.midsouthcartoonists.com).

The women they dance with is part of the experience of the show; the others who get pushed up or jump up when not invited are certainly going to be banned from the stage, show, or even the theater!

Though, it's got to be a little disheartening when the people you admire push you away. I was a little disenchanted, but then realized that, "Hey, that's who Bro. Zee is!"

Especially with the fact that at the end of the events of the Blues Brothers getting their Beale Street Walk of Fame blues note, and the Rock-n-Soul Museum tour, they were HOARDED by fans, and at the end of the day, the two families whose kids were being treated at St. Jude Children's Medical Center were put into their limousine, Bro. Zee gave each family $100.00 to buy their lunch with, and then the Blues Brothers drove off in the Tigrett's (HOB) family car!

That's when I knew for sure that the whole "outta my face" thing is Zee's personality; Jim B. is a big teddy bear!!