Tanglewood parades The Pops and Vince Gill

There was a mix in Lenox with the Boston Pops, Vince Gill and the rain, which delayed the spectacular show by 45 minutes at Tanglewood.

The rain forced many people into the shed during the heavy down pour complete with thunder booms that shook the rafters along with a deluge of water.

The raindrops did not stop the Boston Pops and Conductor Keith Lockhart from offering an afternoon of spectacular music with musical tribute to the American West with music pieces written by Aaron Copland, Bruce Broughton and John Williams.

Mr. Lockhart was at his best, conducting and keeping the audience informed.

The implantation and musical groups within the Pops made for a pleasant sounding of brass, strings, drums and horns that one could reflect as a child on some old western films that kept pace with the horses and the western stars.

The musical choices were a reflection of time and a perfect setting following the rainstorm. It all played together on a larger easel.

Special guest Vince Gill and his talented ensemble played and sang to an audience that was truly appreciated of his remarks along with his selection of songs.

In retrospect, because most of the audience remained patiently, Mr. Gill and the Pops could have done an encore of 15 minutes along with a song with James Taylor. This would have been Tanglewood’s Sunday surprise.

Sometimes performers need to give an added surprise to the people who waited patiently through the thunderstorms.

It would have been nice for Tanglewood to have supplied a spotlight to illuminate both Mr. Lockhart and Mr. Gill.

Mr. Gill noted that he had been here two years earlier as a guest of Mr. Taylor, who was sitting in the audience with son, Henry.

He paid special homage to his second wife, Amy Grant – who did not appear on stage – and her beautiful smile. She had a large hit: “I Will Remember You,” before she switched to the Christian music.

Mr. Gill, in speaking about his wife, said he had known her for 20 years and has been married to her for 13 years. Apparently Mr. Lockhart went to Furman University with Ms. Grant, according to Mr. Gill.

In between songs, Mr. Gill said: “This is an amazing, best place – Tanglewood” and was thankful to be invited back here. The audience reacted with strong applause.

Mr. Gill performed “Faint of Heart,” “Whenever You Come Around,” “Go Rest High on that Mountain,” “My Pretty Little Adriana,” “When Love Finds You,” “If You Have Forever in Mind” and “I Still Believe in You.”

The Pops entertained with “The Cowboys Overture” by Mr. Williams, “Two Pieces from ‘Rodeo’ Corral Prelude-Hoedown” by Mr. Copland and “Carmen Goes Country” arranged by Richard Hayman.

The Western music included themes from How the West Was Won by Mr. Newman, “The Green Leaves of Summer” from The Alamo by Dimitri Tiomkin/arranged by Reisman and the Suite from The Magnificent Seven by E. Bernstein.

Posted by George C. Jordan III on July 18, 2013. Filed under Opinion,View from the Tower. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry