Wednesday, May 19, 2004

Three Dog Night - One Night Only

“Pieces of April” on an Evening in May

By LINDSAY BIANCHI
lbianchi@thecitizennews.com

Mention the subject of music from the 70’s and most people think of disco, yet Three Dog Night remain one of the mainstays of any pop/rock anthology from that decade. Tunes like “Joy To The World”, “Black and White”, “Shambala”, “Eli’s Coming”, “Pieces of April” and, of course “One” secured their place in the book of rock as part of a memorable list of 21 top 40 hits. With the release of a new CD recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra, Three Dog Night have had new life breathed into their music and their career. The new album also contains two new songs written by the band demonstrating that their instinct for great tunes is still intact.

The Villages Amphitheater presents a one night only concert event, Saturday, May 22. Founding members Cory Wells and Danny Hutton on lead vocals, original keyboardist Jimmy Greenspoon and guitarist Michael Allsup are joined by Paul Kingery on bass and vocals and Pat Bautz on drums. Except for a short period in the late 70’s and early 80’s, the band has been making music and pleasing crowds since 1968.

The group’s unique name, for anyone who doesn’t know, comes from a story about Australian aborigines who sleep with their dos for warmth on cold night in the outback. The coldest nights are known as “three dog nights.” Danny Hutton met Cory Wells while Wells was touring with Sonny and Cher and Hutton was working as a solo artist. The rest of the musical pieces soon fell into place and the “Dogs” have been around ever since. Three number one hits, eleven top ten hits and twelve gold albums guarantee that Saturday will be a good night to warm up to their music.

Songs penned by Harry Nilsson, Randy Newman, Elton John, Laura Nyro, Paul Williams, and Hoyt Axton have all become a permanent part of the Three Dog Night sound. Four decades on the road have seasoned their music, but it remains as fresh as ever. They have played over 1,600 shows since 1986 performing at fairs, festivals, corporate events, casinos and theatres. They have also performed special events with symphony orchestras including the Tennessee Orchestra which is available on DVD and will play with the Alabama Symphony in Birmingham, May 28 and Anniston, May 29.

Whether you prefer pop, rock or country, the many flavors that their songs encompass will please most everyone’s taste. For a deeper look into the music and career of Three Dog Night, visit www.threedognight.com. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster or at City Hall, Mon. - Fri., 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. or by visiting www.villagesamphitheater.com

WHAT: Pop/Rock Band,Three Dog Night

WHERE: The Villages Amphitheater

WHEN: Saturday May 22

HOW MUCH: $30 in advance, $35 at the door

FOR MORE INFO:Visit www.villagesamphitheater.com or phone 770-461-6029.