BERNADETTE MARTY | Reporter
The nearly sold-out crowd sang along to the lyrics of “Danny’s Song” with Kenny Loggins last night at the season opener of the J. Scheidegger Center Concert series.
It’s a special magic that can only happen at a live concert, when the entire crowed erupts into song. A magic that was then elevated when his band joined in in a perfect three-part harmony.
No one can deny that Loggins is an incredible songwriter. He has the Grammys to prove it.
What Loggins demonstrated last night was his ability to use music to take the crowd on a journey not just through his career — which has included writing hit songs for movies, such as “It’s Alright,” from “Caddyshack”; “Danger Zone,” from “Top Gun”; and “Footloose,” from the movie by the same name — but also through his life. Loggins shared stories about his father, daughter and first wife and how those relationships shaped his songwriting.
Photo from Peter Colombatto
Loggins first brought the crowd to its feet during a standing ovation after his performance of “Celebrate Me Home.” He left the stage and worked the crowd, shaking hands and high-fiving guests in the first row and on the periphery.
Loggins brought the crowd to its feet twice more, first when he performed the aforementioned songs during his first encore. Loggins and his band returned for a second encore where he played “Your Mama Don’t Dance,” before bringing the crowd back down by finishing with a slow piano-prominent piece called “Forever.”
If you’re asking yourself why Lindenwood would bring in a performer old enough to be a freshman’s grandfather, remember that the goal of the J. Scheidegger Center touring series is twofold: first, to realize Lindenwood’s commitment to the community through cultural enrichment and entertainment, and secondly, to provide a hands-on laboratory for the technical theater students to work alongside industry professionals.
The lighting of the show was great, reflecting and exaggerating emotional moments in songs both melodically and lyrically speaking. The sound was executed flawlessly; the bass, drums, vocals and three guitars were all mixed cleanly and clearly. That’s a good thing too because of the many things Loggins did well last night, including telling jokes and stories. Loggins also surrounded himself with a band of incredible musicians.
People might have come for honest, catchy songs straight from the songwriter, but they got much more.
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