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’90s hit parade at Seneca Niagara Casino Review by Joshua
Maloni
For those in their mid-to-late 20s, like this reviewer, the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel recently resembled a 10-year high school reunion with performances by Alanis Morissette, Matchbox Twenty and Collective Soul. Between 1994 and 2000, the solo singer and the two bands cemented their place in music history by chalking up a combined 19 No. 1 singles. No strangers to arena shows, these acts were featured last weekend in two of Western New York’s most cozy rooms: the casino’s hotel conference room and Bear’s Den lounge.
On Saturday, in the spacious-yet-view-friendly ballroom, Morissette entered after a drawn-out intro, wearing a black one-button top, black undershirt and black leather pants. The 33-year-old Ottawa native began her set with “Uninvited,” a song featured in the 1998 Nicolas Cage-Meg Ryan rom-dram “City of Angels.” The single was written to be a haunting movie backdrop; it sounds that way even now. On stage, paired with appropriate strobe lights, head-banging and Morissette’s manic pacing, it still evokes passion (“She’s so sweet; then she gets on stage and she’s badass,” Matchbox frontman Rob Thomas said later). Harmonica in hand, the singer moved into more free-spirited territory with “All I Really Want.” Almost hyper, the singer continued to vigorously walk back and forth across the stage. That pattern continued for much of her 60-minute set. She settled down a bit, guitar in tow, for her third song, “Eight Easy Steps.” Morissette remained stationary as the sold-out venue danced to one of her biggest club hits. The crowd popped when Morissette began “Hand in My Pocket,” a No. 1 hit from her 1995 album “Jagged Little Pill.” Fans joined with Morissette in a sing-along of the song that states, “And what it all comes down to, is that everything’s gonna be quite alright.” Indeed, Morissette seems to be OK despite breaking up with her longtime boyfriend and short-term fiancé, Ryan Reynolds, one year ago. The singer, who has sold more than 40 million albums worldwide, is expected to release new material this year. “Versions of Violence,” a track from “Flavors of Entanglement,” the aforementioned, yet-to-be-released Morissette album, was next. The song is a rising ballad calling for an end to domestic abuse. A second sweeping intro followed, leading into “Moratorium” and “Flinch.” Morissette, an actress on the side, got theatrical for a playful imitation of Fergie, as she covered the Black Eyed Peas’ “My Humps.” Decked out like “Material Girl”-era Madonna, pink feather boa and all, the singer was adorned by her band members with jewelry and dollar bills. The mood grew serious and red light filled the room as Morissette began “You Oughta Know,” the song that first made her a star. Thirteen years after its release, the song, a detailed, scornful rebuke of a former lover (whom she’s never publicly identified, but most believe is “Full House” funnyman Dave Coulier) was seemingly performed just as deliberate as ever.
While I was uninspired, for the MB20 fans, it was a good night of music. For all of the leafy greens offered (we’ll call them new songs), there was no lack of dessert. In total, the group performed more than 20 songs, including hits “Real World,” Disease,” “Back 2 Good,” “3 A.M.,” “Bent,” “Unwell” and “Push” (again, a surprisingly large number of hits). However, the set list lacked originality, as it was almost verbatim with what the band has performed at other venues.
On Sunday, in the more intimate Bear’s Den, Collective Soul performed for more than 300 fans. This writer had the worst seat in the house – standing room only – and it was still an amazing view of the stage. As one fan said, “This is like unplugged,” referring to the MTV series that featured large acts in small rooms. That fact didn’t escape lead singer Ed Roland, who just about sat in the crowd’s lap as he interacted with the room throughout the night. Collective Soul’s performance of “New Vibration,” a song from 2007’s “After Words” kicked things off. Despite great commercial success in the ’90s, the band’s past two efforts – “After Words” and 2004’s “Youth” – are arguably its best albums. Roland, in a blue and white striped shirt, jeans and black shoes, made good use of the lights flashing and bouncing off the backdrop as he segued into “Heavy,” one of his band’s biggest rock hits. The singer held the crowd in the palm of his hand as he preached to all sides. “Listen,” a No. 1 song from 1997, and “December,” a No. 1 hit from 1996, followed. Roland continued to make himself at home, walking off the stage to kiss a woman trying to snap his picture with her camera phone. “I like that attitude; I like that spirit,” he said of the crowd. “I like this room – it’s like my dad’s church.” Assuring the audience Collective Soul would sing the songs people wanted to hear, Roland and his group performed a newer, lesser known track, “I Don’t Need Anymore Friends.” On that song, guitarist Joel Kosche sings lead. The band, refreshed by the new material, then returned to its hit parade with “She Said.” Stealing a fan’s Junior Mints, Roland provided a second smooch to another woman, saying the kiss was “chocolaty and minty.” “Anybody having fun?” he asked as the crowd worked itself into a frenzied state. Toning the mood down a bit, Roland offered “All That I Know,” his first attempt at writing a love song. He dedicated the number to his wife, Michaeline, as Sunday was their second anniversary. With fans starting to catcall for songs, Roland said, “I feel like I could play for a whole week; this is fun.” Amused by a request to play everything, he said, “That’s why we want to come back for a whole week!” Collective Soul, though in fact not performing its entire roster of tunes, ended with its highest-selling songs: “The World I Know,” “Gel,” “Run” and an extended version of “Shine.”
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Thanks to Seneca Niagara’s recent deal with uber-booking
firm Live Nation, local music lovers can expect more big-name artists
on the marquee this year. In recent months, the venue has hosted Kelly
Clarkson, Kid Rock and Bill Cosby.
That fact mattered little to those around me, as comments like “I love
them so much” rang out over the course of the 90-minute set. In turn,
Thomas made loving references to Niagara Falls and his band’s desire
to return. Moreover, the band offered fans a chance to take home a copy
of the show via a reusable USB wristband.
