CasaBlanca’s In Its Entirety Concert Series rocks it with ‘Dark Side of the Moon’
Written by Scott Dunford
It’s tough to beat a $15 ticket admission to hear Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of The Moon.” Okay, so while it wasn’t actually Pink Floyd, the album was performed as part of John Menniti’s “In Its Entirety” Concert Series last Saturday night, May 16, in the CasaBlanca showroom in Mesquite. The In Its Entirety Concert Series pay tribute to the classic rock albums we all know and love by presenting them note for note, from cover to cover, with some of the best players anywhere.
These musicians are no strangers to the CasaBlanca’s grand stage having been a part of a string of successful tribute concerts at the CasaBlanca, including AC/DC “Greatest Hits,” Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours,” Boston’s first album, and many others. These talented entertainers have the ability to nail the sound, vocals, and energy factor of the legends they recreate. Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” was no exception.
Menniti’s ability to produce a show tailored for each artist is not without its challenges. It’s not easy to authentically replicate the music and vocals of the great bands of the past, so the musicians and singers he utilizes for his shows are a huge factor in their success. If you attended last weekend’s “Dark Side of the Moon,” you know what I’m talking about.
Artists like Rosalee—who goes by just “Rosalee”—was the female vocalist who belted out “Great Gig in the Sky.” Her career is taking off with a new solo album of original material. She’s also the go-to performer for the singing of the national Anthem at NFL, NBA and NHL. Robin Vincent joined Rosalee on backup vocals. She’s one of Vegas’s best all-around vocalists and has performed in several premier acts there. Then there was sax player Keith Brennaman who plays with several different acts on the Las Vegas strip. Brennaman—like the rest of the band—never left you saying “not bad” but more like “wow, he’s really good!”
John Lombardo on lead vocals has the ability to recreate virtually any classic rock act. Yves Frulla on keys was Celine Dion’s keyboardist for over 25 years. Michael Bacich, also on keys, was a member of the ‘80s super group Oingo Boingo. Watching lead guitarist Jason Walker again after last month’s tribute to AC/ DC was just as inspiring. He’s as good as the original artists he recreates. Then there’s Jake Langley also on guitar and lap steel. He’s one of the world’s foremost players. He has won a Grammy award and toured with legendary artists like Lyle Lovett and Hammond B3 Legend, Joey DiFrancesco. Chas Stumbo on drums is bar none one of the best drummers in Vegas! Top it all off with John Menniti himself, who plays bass and sings lead vocals. He has sung backup to legends like Barry Manilow and Paul Anka, plus he has produced and performed in shows all over the world.
This Saturday, May 30, features the In Its Entirety Concert Series tribute to ELO’s Greatest Hits album at the CasaBlanca showroom. They’ll also perform the very best of Styx in the same show. Don’t miss another great opportunity to see this performance up close and personal and hear the timeless music the way you remember it when the needle hit the vinyl!
Tickets are available by going online to www.mesquitegaming.com or calling 1-877-438-2929.
