Big Sur, California
December 16, 2004

Photo courtesy of Trisha Campo © 2004
Stephen, Alan Boyd, Al Jardine
& The Stevie Heger Band

Just got back from Al's place in Big Sur after a night of magnificent music from Al Jardine, Stevie Heger(Hey Stevie), Bruce Foreman, Alan Boyd and the poetry of Stephen Kalinich. Foreman's "Cowbop" tunes were followed by a 35 minute set of Heger's extremely original tunes inluding "Ship To Shore", "Guessing Games", and my favorite "Heaven In Your Eyes", there stood Beach Boy supreme Al Jardine, ready to entertain the nearly sold out Red Barn faithful of 125 and they were not disappointed. Al and his Chet Atkins guitar along with the Hey Stevie band along with Heger on vocals, congas and tambourine launched into one of my favorite Jardine tunes, "California"( the version from Holland), and then "California Dreaming" sharing vocals with Heger who sang Carl's original part("Stopped Into A Church"), seldom heard "Runaway", surprising car tune "409" with a bearded Adam Jardine on lead vocal, "Sloop John B" and "Help Me Rhonda". Then Al announced a short break to introduce his long time friend and poet Stephen Kalinich and Stephen did one of high energy and fabulous poems he wrote for birthday girl Mary Anne(Al's lovely wife) of 20 years. I wish I knew the title! By the way, youthful Mary Anne looked gorgeous with that new scarf around her neck. Al then introduced Alan Boyd from Los Angeles to perform the Boyd/Kalinich tune "You're The Beautiful" from his new Channel Surfing CD. Performing solo Boyd played keyboard and his sweet and powerful voice lid up the room from the appreciative audience. Then it was time to have Al and Hey Stevie back for a few more tunes and what tunes they were! Performed for the very first time was "Christmas Day". Al nailed it! What a delight. If not hearing "Christmas Day" wasn't enough to give me a heart attack, Heger broke out the new studio quality sleigh bells to keep the Christmas spirits brighter with "Little Saint Nick" with Boyd and Heger providing powerful and seasonal background vocals. I thought the show was over and then the band decided to try one more tune. Someone yelled "Barbara Ann" and Al said "No, not that one". After a brief discussion and making sure who would sing the parts, Al lead them into a sparkling version of "California Girls". A most amazing night. I was in heaven. This show was a fundraiser for local school Captain Copper and the Jazz Masters Workshop in association with the Big Sur Arts Iniative.

Al, Stevie, bring this show out of the Red Barn Studio and let your fans see and hear you guys!

Les in San Francisco
Posted on the Calsaga message board by Les Chan, 12/19/04

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