Monday, November 11, 2013

The "New" Madison Square Garden

I've been to the newly renovated MSG a few times over the past week and I have to say...really? Virtually every new improvement is directed towards the big bucks patrons.  Now the scoreboard is pretty damn spiffy, the only problem is you can't see it from a lot of seats.  The new "bridge" level blocks it for those of us who sit in the upper 200's when we go to a game...you know the sections where you can still get tickets less than 100 bucks.   At least the view of the the ice is unobstructed from the 200's as you can see below from section 226 row 22.

The bridge does seem to make it sound a little too quiet in the building.  Maybe it's better down below...

Now there are still a few 400's left now renamed The Blue Seats.  As you can see the view is a little tunnel like.  These were in 416 row 5.
I would stay clear of any seats in the 400's in rows 6 and 7.  These are most definitely obstructed view seats.  I sat down in row 7 and you can't see past the opposite blue line.  The view on this end is the same as it ever was...slightly blocked behind the goal line.  They also have very limited bathrooms for this area...perhaps they think everyone there has a huge bladder.  Maybe rich folks are the only ones who need to relieve themselves.  And the worst sin of all...the beer selections is pretty weak this high up.

Was it worth 1 billion dollars?  I guess that depends on your annual income.  Those who can may get an improved experience.  Personally I think it was just fine at MSG before all the renovations.  But that's just me.

Oh yeah...the Dolans pretty much suck in my opinion.

The Eagles - MSG November 8, 2013


Wow it's been a long time between posts.  Life just has a way of prioritizing things for you.  I did get a chance to catch The Eagles last week at the newly completed Madison Square Garden on the 1st of 3 nights.  I am an unapologetic Eagles fan.  I know, I know they aren't cool.  They are as mainstream as you can get but I have always been a fan...especially the first three albums.  

I've seen The Eagles on a few of the "farewell" tours since 2000 and they have always been a good time.  This year is no different.  Bernie Leadon is along for the ride for the first time since 1975 and he sounded good and played pretty damn fine on the early material.  Glen Frey dedicated Take It To The Limit to Randy Meisner who couldn't make it due to health issues.  Not a single Don Felder mention...he's suing them again.

The first set drew from the first four albums while the second was made up of cuts from Hotel California, The Long Run and several Joe Walsh tunes.  These were the only mis-steps for me...Joe was the only one who played solo material and I would have preferred a few more cuts from the early records.  A small quibble though as the show was really pretty damn fine as it was.


Here's the setlist:
    Set One

  1. Saturday Night
    (Don Henley and Glenn Frey only)
  2. Train Leaves Here This Morning
    (Don Henley, Glenn Frey and Bernie Leadon)
  3. Peaceful Easy Feeling
    (with Bernie Leadon) (Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Bernie Leadon and Timothy B. Schmidt)
  4. Witchy Woman
    (with Bernie Leadon) (Full band)
  5. Doolin-Dalton
    (with Bernie Leadon)
  6. Tequila Sunrise
    (with Bernie Leadon)
  7. Doolin'-Dalton/Desperado (Reprise)
    (with Bernie Leadon)
  8. Already Gone
    (with Bernie Leadon)
  9. The Best of My Love

  10. Lyin' Eyes

  11. One of These Nights
    (with Bernie Leadon)
  12. Take It to the Limit


  13. Set Two


  14. Wasted Time (Reprise)

  15. Pretty Maids All in a Row

  16. I Can't Tell You Why

  17. New Kid in Town

  18. Love Will Keep Us Alive

  19. Heartache Tonight

  20. Those Shoes

  21. In the City
    (Joe Walsh song)
  22. Life's Been Good
    (Joe Walsh song)
  23. The Long Run

  24. Funk #49
    (James Gang cover)
  25. Life in the Fast Lane


  26. Encore:


  27. Hotel California


  28. Encore 2:

  29. Take It Easy
    (with Bernie Leadon)
  30. Rocky Mountain Way
    (Joe Walsh song) (with Bernie Leadon)
  31. Desperado
    (with Bernie Leadon)