1. Review of June 24, 1995 concert in Great Woods
2. Review of July 18, 1995 concert in Tampa, FL

Written by Neil Marsh [drwho@world.std.com)

This is a review of Yanni's June 24th, 1995 performance at Great Woods, near Boston.

My girlfriend and I rented a car and headed for Great Woods last night. It was my fourth Yanni concert and her first. I had heard some wonderful things about this year's show from people who had seen him at Deer Creek near Indianapolis (my old stomping grounds) and I am happy to say that they were not wrong. Once again Yanni and his orchestra carried me away to places that only a select few performers have been able take me. What follows are some comments and observations about some of the highlights of his show.

My memory for details and titles comes and goes, so if any of you were there and I am mistaken about something, please correct me.

THE SETTING & THE CROWD

(Please note that I am not a frequent concert-goer, so the things that I may find wonderful or unusual about such a facility as Great Woods may not be new to most of you.)

Great Woods is far larger than I had expected, being used to Deer Creek back home in Indy. The pavilion seemed quite nice. Sadly, on the day of their release, the pavillion tickets had sold out in less than 30 minutes, so I was forced to get lawn seats (which did not bode well for my back). However, I was pleased to find that Great Woods had nice benches at the back which, combined with my binoculars and a phenomenal wide-screen video system with excellent technical people at the helm, made me a lot less disappointed that I had to sit there. I thought the sound was very good, with only a few pardonable errors on the part of the audio crew.

The place was packed to the brim. According to the review in the Boston Globe, there were 16,800 people there, ranging from children to senior citizens. The crowd was very enthusiastic and gave very respectable applause not only for all the pieces played, but for the soloists as well, which is something I always appreciate as a musician. The audience called Yanni and his orchestra back for an encore set and two additional encore pieces. There were also several places for 'audience participation' (hand clapping and so on), which they did with great enthusiasm. During the closing pieces the audience stood and danced. It was very refreshing and energetic.

THE LIGHT SHOW

It seemed to me that the light show was a little weaker than usual, but I am inclined to think I felt that way because of where I was. In the past I have always been in the pavilion, so take my opinion in that context. There was one great spot where a red-tinted Earth suspended in a starfield was projected on the back drop. I wish I could remember which song it was for. Very nice.

THE MUSIC

While this year's show contained no new songs, it *did* feature several songs rarely or never before performed on tour.

The show included an incredibly beautiful version of "A Love for Life" with vocals that made my heart melt. There was also a blues-ed up version of "Nice to Meet You", "Dance with a Stranger" (featuring a spectacular performance by one of Yanni's trumpet/flugelhorn players), and a powerful version of "Desire" featuring a new, gorgeous introduction. But but the absolute highlight was an incredible, house-rocking, sock-blowing rendition of "Niki Nana", with the orchestra singing, that made everyone get up, dance, and sing along.

There were also new arrangements of "The Rain Must Fall", "Within Attraction" and, I believe, "Whispers in the Dark".

"Felitsa", "Reflections of Passion", "Santorini" and "Aria" were relatively unchanged. The "Acroyali"/"Standing in Motion" medley had a new introduction, as I recall. There were many other tunes played, but I didn't take notes. :(

THE PLAYERS

Yanni was, of course, at his best. There were a few spots where I actually thought I heard him make noticable mistakes (in "The Rain Must Fall"), but it turned out that I am so used to hearing it in recordings that I didn't realize he was just playing it differently!

His usual people, of course, had their day. Karen Briggs was wonderful on violin, as she always is. Ric Fierabracci was great on bass, Charlie Adams had his usual 5 minute solo on "Marching Season" (though he really fooled us with the train whistle bit - I'll leave that a secret), and Armen Anassian, the conductor, played violin beautifully on "Felitsa" and challenged Karen with his usual style on "Within Attraction". The new keyboard player, Minc Freeman, had quite a few feature spots throughout the evening, including a jazzy organ solo on the retooled "Nice to Meet You".

Yanni's pool of instrumental talent, and his use of it, has grown since last year. He has added a phenomenal flute/bass flute player named Pedro, who's abilitity to play breathy solos at lightning speed was the hit of the evening (casting a shadow, dare I say, on the equally awesome Karen?). The new percussionist, Daniel Reyes, had a big feature late in the show (I forget which peiece it was) akin to Charlie's drum solo in "Marching Season". He hammered out awesome conga/bongo/timbale patterns that would have broken my fingers easily. It was pretty humorous to see him hammer out a rhythm, then try to get the audience to clap it out afterwards.

One interesting addition to the orchestra was Dave Kennedy from Australia, who came out in native Aborigine (?) dress and make-up to play the digeridoo (?). It was a very educational experience. It's such a simple instrument, yet it really tugs at you inside somewhere. Digeri-Dave (as Yanni called him) came out at the beginning of the second half and played it as an introduction to a song (I can't remember which one), then came back and added its voice to the "Niki Nana" blow-out.

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All in all, it made for a perfectly wonderful concert, probably my favorite since the first one I went to back in 1992. I am especially glad I could go to it with my girlfriend. It is definitely a concert to go to with a loved one.

If you have a chance to see Yanni this year, do it. It's a spectacular show.

July 18, 1995 concert in Tampa, FL

Written by Cyrette Kiely [explorer@gate.net)

Wow what a performer! Have never seen a performer who gives so much of himself when he performs. You can feel how much he loves music. Also had the same impression from the rest of his symphony orchestra. Can't wait until he returns to Tampa again. A little bit of Trivia, although I'm not sure of how accurate it is. Was told he used to perform with Barbra Streisand.

Getting back to the concert. What also impressed me was that I have seen his performance from Greece on the PBS channel and was surprised at how his concert in Tampa was just as good, if not better than the one on TV. Have passed his tape on to fellow workers to listen since I could not stop talking about his concert. Heard on the local radio that this gentleman's wife pulled him to go to the concert and when it was over she had to pull him to go home. He said he is now a Yanni fan.

In closing, just want to say Bravo! Bravo! Yanni. God Bless you for bringing so much to us all.