Anthony Shore and His All-Star Band at the West Theatre. Photos by Jill Fisher.

A fun evening was had on Wednesday, Dec. 11, when “Elvis” visited the West Theatre to hail the Christmas season. Of course this was a tribute concert, since Elvis died in August 1977. But if you didn’t know that and only heard the concert, you might have thought he was still with us. 

Anthony Shore, who impersonated the “King of Rock and Roll,” pretty much nailed Elvis’s vocals and, together with His All-Star Band, got us in the mood for this most wonderful time of the year.

 The six-piece All-Star Band opened the concert with three numbers – “Sweet Inspiration,” “I Will Survive” and “Me and Bobby McGee,” featuring the vocals by the band’s two female backup singers (Kaity Heart and Christina Case). These rousing songs established the women’s gutsy and powerful voices heard throughout the evening. Then at 7:30 pm, “the international star” was introduced and on came Shore as Elvis to sing “C. C. Rider” – which I never associated with Elvis!

 Shore’s All-Star Band is comprised of Twin Cities-based musicians, including Jack Mansk (electric guitar), Aaron Hammerman (bass), Larry Suess (keys), Keith Hiaake (trumpet), Mike Anderson (sax and flute), Dan Kramer (trombone) and Kyle Primus (drums), plus the aforementioned singers Heart and Case. The two women have Duluth connections: Case was born here and Heart attended UMD. 

Shore, though, wasn’t born in the U.S. but relocated to the states in 2011. Previously he had performed across Europe and now, per his online schedule, he is a regular performer around these parts.

 “Blue Christmas” was Shore’s second number, complete with the female backup singers replicating one of Elvis’s best-known recordings. With this expected song out of the way, he moved into more secular territory with “Baby, What You Want Me To Do” (AKA “You Got Me Running”) which Elvis performed in a 1968 NBC TV special that harkened back to his blues and R&B musical roots. 

Then it was on to other Elvis hits: “Heartbreak Hotel,” “All Shook Up,” “(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear” and “Welcome To My World.” Unfamiliar to me were some deeper cuts of Elvis songs, such as “I’ll Remember You,” in which Shore added his own decent falsetto.

 Shore was quite engaging with the audience, conversant and jokesy with his fellow performers, even rather casual at times; clearly he’s been portraying Elvis for some time. He threw scarves into the audience ala Elvis and related trivia about his song selections, including the fact that Elvis had one of his last shows here in Duluth. Yep, Elvis performed at the DECC twice to sold out audiences; in October 1976 and April 1977.

 Then it was back to seasonal songs – “Winter Wonderland,” the 1971 “Holly Leaves and Christmas Trees,” a really pretty rendition of “On A Snowy Christmas Night” and “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Shore captured the deep religious conviction of the latter song before breaking into a rockin’ “Johnny Be Good,” and covers of “I Just Can’t Help Believing” (that Elvis recorded in 1970) and Paul Simon’s “Bridge Over Troubled Waters.” There was a very polished Vegas-era feel to these covers that the somewhat pudgy Shore in his satin shirt and sparkly belt captured quite well.

 During the break, the band members came out and mixed with the audience, especially Shore, who you could tell reveled in his interaction with Elvis fans, having his picture taken with many of the concert goers (including me!).

Beginning the second set with “Blue Suede Shoes” we were back to classic Elvis recordings – “Never Been To Spain” and “In The Ghetto.” He sang a lovely duet with Heart, one of the few songs I didn’t recognize (didn’t catch the title). Another was “Polk Salad Annie” about a poor person down in Louisiana. “Silver Bells” was slipped in as the only seasonal song in the second set, with Shore revealing he didn’t know all the words. He followed that up with the gospel-tinged hymn “How Great Thou Art.”

 The concert drew to an end with “Let Me Be There,” “My Way” made famous by Frank Sinatra, Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” “Suspicious Minds” and finally “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” The latter song is one that typically closed Elvis’s concerts and was ranked by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the greatest songs of all-time. Based on the melody of a popular 1784 French love song (and used in the score of the 1949 movie The Heiress I just happened to watch this past weekend!) the lyrics have been slightly amended to reflect a male’s rather than a female’s perspective. This is one of those beautiful songs everyone seems to love with its lyric “Wise men say only fools rush in, but I can’t help falling in love with you.”

 Just a sidebar regarding this last song: Years, actually decades, ago I attended an Arlo Guthrie and Pete Seegar concert at Northrup Auditorium in which Arlo told us he racked his brain for a song he felt folks in the audience could sing along to, and this was the one he came up with, crediting Elvis with its popularity. And indeed, most everyone in the audience knew the lyrics and did sing along. It was a memorable moment

 To be honest, I’ve never considered myself a fan of Elvis yet I knew these songs and Shore’s dead-on delivery was such that I admit to a newfound interest in Elvis. Also, having read the biography Last Train to Memphis – the Rise of Elvis (recommended to me by local musician Misisipi Mike Wolf) I have much more respect for and understanding of Elvis and his iconic status. 

It was a strangely satisfying as well as fun concert and I was glad to see an almost full house was there to enjoy it. It sounds like he’s planning to be back at the West in May, so you may want to keep your eyes open for that. If and when Shore returns with another Elvis tribute show I believe I’d go see it!

 On Friday the 13th, the Curmudgeon and I made a visit to Boubville located in the 400 block of West 4th Street. If you are wondering, it is the creation of a young artists’ collaborative as an alternative seasonal attraction to Bentleyville. In its third year and though minuscule in comparison, it was filled with interesting light displays, art installations, films and music. 

Shanna Willie, Mara Lovejoy, Clancy Ward 

We were able to catch several numbers performed by Mara Lovejoy with backing by Clancy Ward on bass guitar and Shanna Willie on drums. Although I had seen Lovejoy (with the same crew) play at Zeitgeist during Homegrown back on April 28, it was this gig in a garage setting that made me appreciate her punk attitude and emotive guitar playing. I’m only sorry it was open only four days. Keep Boubville in mind for a holiday outing next year, assuming another version will be produced in 2025.

 Wanting to have a bit of a get-away before Christmas (and see some snow), I got up to Lutsen ski resort to hear Mark Joseph and Al Oikari, both members of the Big Wu band, play at the Scandinavian Chalet there on Saturday, Dec. 14. The Curmudgeon was along and both of us found it to be top-notch fare. 

Mark Joseph and Al Oikari

The venue left something to be desired however, with an odd spatial arrangement around a huge central brick chimney that severely limited seating facing the sunken stage area and thus limiting views of the performers. The dance area was carpeted, discouraging that activity. But the recently installed sound system was great for listening to these two talented fellas. 

For those die-hard Big Wu fans, note that they will be playing First Avenue in Minneapolis this Saturday, Dec. 21. And before that Oikari will be joining Hobo Revival this Friday at Wild State Cider. Check it out if you’re able.   

 UPCOMING: A Christmas present for Duluth Dylan fans: the biopic of Bob, A Complete Unknown, will open at all the local theaters, including the West on Christmas Day.

 The Belfast Cowboys band, based in the Twin Cities, is returning for its second-ever show at the West Theatre on Boxing Day (Dec. 26). They put on a great show when they were here a year ago, so if you are a fan of Van Morrison you won’t want to miss this one.

 There will be plenty of live music happening on New Years Eve to choose from. Among the gigs are Paul Metsa with Sonny Earl at Carmondy Irish Pub and Big Wave Dave and the Ripples at Blacklist Brewing Co., just blocks apart on Superior St. Over in the City of Superior Darling Danger will be performing at The Main Club. Don’t get too tired out that evening as Charlie Parr begins his Wednesdays residency at Cedar Lounge on Jan. 1. Music starts at 7 pm. I’ve got my tickets. See you there!