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Randy & Betty in Pa
04-09-2006, 05:08 AM
Greetings everyone... Well this past Friday night Betty and I made our way to Penn's Peak on the edge of the Pocono Mountains by Jim Thorp to see the "Association" in concert. I last saw them back in 1994 in Riverside California where they did a good show.

Well the facility is really beautiful, a log cabinesque structure that seats about 1400. Our seats were in the center of row L, 12 rows back from the stage. The facility has a fantastic house sound system. That said, the show wasn't a sell out, but all things considered I'd say all in all a good turnout of maybe 1200. At least three of the six members were original to include the Ramo's brothers from Hawaii....As always the act came on stage with their White jackets andf the one Ramo's wore his signature panama hat.

The act did all their premier and major songs to include "Cherish", "Never my Love" and "Wendy". The show over all was fairly good but I must admit that the multi-part harmonies that made them such a great act in the past were not as tight as in the past. This may have been a sound problem or perhaps a lack of vocal rehersals. I'm not sure which and really it wasn't all that bad. One thing that I did miss was the use of the Hammond organ and Lesley Speakers I always associated with their unique and distinctive sound. A Korg just does not carry the same sound... They also did eight cover songs from acts that ranged from Three Dog Night, The Mama's & The Papa's, The Beach Boys, The Kingston Trio and The New Christie Minstrels...

All in all the show was relatively good and worth attending....But could have been better...If you like the act and they are appearing in your area I would suggest you go as the ticket price was quite modest and after all they do represent a part of American music history... According to them "Never My Love" is the second most played song of all times on American Radio, and I guess I can believe that...

Thats the skinny folks..... For your info...

Best to all

R. from Pa

gisli
04-09-2006, 10:34 AM
Association is a band I have never heard of, are they playing music like The Allman Brothers,Alabama, Kansas, Lynyrd Skynard?????

Looks like you had fun.

Randy & Betty in Pa
04-09-2006, 09:43 PM
Association is a band I have never heard of, are they playing music like The Allman Brothers,Alabama, Kansas, Lynyrd Skynard?????

Looks like you had fun.

What a simple yet complex question that is Gisli...based on the time I've spent in record shops over the years I find often the base catagorization of acts and music about as complex as trying to describe a color to one that is color blind... or trying to describe a given scent or odor to a person that has never been exposed.... Still, I will attempt to answer your question as best I can and hopefully others with more expertise might kick in their two cents worth as well...

The Association's fame came from the time frame circa mid 1960's to early 1970's. The sound though quite commercial in my opinion fell closer to a folk rock then true rock n roll for the most part though some of their songs like "6 Man band" did cross over a bit....Through association this group can be directly linked with the "New Christie Minstrels" and "The Kingston Trio" by the involvement of the Ramos Brothers.

Gisli, I have no doubt that if you heard their music you would jump up and say "Yes I know those songs..." Let me suggest that should you have the inclination purchase a copy of the CD "The Association...Greatest Hits". If you like overlaying harmonies you won't be disapointed...

Best wishes to you and glad your back here on the new board...

R. from Pa

gisli
04-10-2006, 01:54 PM
Why of course.......The Association.......songs like Windy, Cherish and Never my love plus others timeless hits.........They are great, somewhat like Mamas And The Papas.........Thanks for bringing this up Randy..........




("now excuse me but have to go to the stupid question thread"......((walkes away and mumbles)).........:"Who are The Association?......how more stupid can questions get.......stupid stupid question")