Leslie Mendelson, Ronstadt Revue and Greggie and the Jets
The Top 3 Lehigh Valleyarea concerts this week bring some excitement to the neighborhood with one Grammy-nominated artist and two tribute acts filling some very big shoes.
First, a Brooklyn-based singer songwriter who has recorded duets with the likes of Bob Weir and Jackson Browne is bringing her show to the Godfrey Daniels stage. Next, while Linda Ronstadt might have retired from touring, her live show lives on. Head over to the State Theater to catch the crew that has perfected the Ronstadt sound so well that two of her band members have teamed up with the group to co-produce their latest album.
And last, if you’re a fan of the hit “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting,” make your way over to Musikfest this Saturday night and catch the perfect Elton John tribute band — sans fighting.
LESLIE MENDELSON
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Godfrey Daniels, 7 E. 4th St., Bethlehem
How much: $23.50-$28.50
Tickets: godfreydaniels. org/ 610-867-2390
Musical style: Singer songwriter, folk, rock
“I Know You Better Than That,” “Be My Baby,” “A Human Touch,” “I See Myself with You” and “Chasing the Thrill.”
Known for hits like:
Meet the band: Based in Brooklyn, Leslie Mendelson is a singer-songwriter with a knack for crafting
tunes that have garnered her a lot of praise from the likes of the Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir (who recorded a duet with her), Relix Magazine, and The Who (who invited her to open two shows for them at Madison Square Garden). Her debut album “Swan Feathers” was nominated for a Grammy in 2009, she recorded a duet with Jackson Browne for the documentary “5B” in 2019, and she’s currently touring in support of her recent studio album “If You Can’t Say Anything Nice…,” as well as a solo acoustic EP “In The Meantime,” (recorded during the 2020 lockdown).
Check her out if you like:
Carly Simon, Carole King, Jackson Browne, Grateful Dead, Roy Orbison, Joni Mitchell, Diane Birch
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: State Theater, 453 Northampton St., Easton
How much: $25-$31
Tickets: statetheatre.org/ 610-258-7766
Musical style: Pop, rock, country
Known for hits like: Covers of Linda Ronstadt songs like, “Blue Bayou,” “Don’t Know Much,” “You’re No Good,” “When Will I Be Loved” and “Wildflowers.”
Meet the band: Linda Ronstadt may no longer be performing but for fans worldwide, the Ronstadt Revue has stepped in to bring a live show capturing the full essence of a
Linda Ronstadt concert in one performance. Led by the talented Gesenia, the night will cover songs from Ronstadt’s 40-year career in both English and Spanish. The authenticity of the group’s performances has captured the hearts of many, leading to two of the original members of Linda’s band to co-produce the latest Ronstadt Revue album.
Check them out if you like:
Linda Ronstadt, Carly Simon, Bonnie Raitt, Eagles, Bread, James Taylor, Emmylou Harris
GREGGIE AND THE JETS: A TRIBUTE TO ELTON JOHN
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Musikfest Café, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem
How much: $20-$25
Tickets: https://www.steelstacks.org/ 610-332-1300
Musical style: Pop rock, classic rock, rock & roll
Known for hits like: Covers of Elton John songs including,
“Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting,” “Tiny Dancer,” “Rocket Man,” “Bennie and the Jets” and “Daniel.”
Meet the band: An Elton John tribute band from Central Florida, Greggie and the Jets perform the music of Elton John note for note, with high energy performances capturing the essence of a classic Elton John concert. Including deep cuts as well as many of his hit singles, the band’s live show will transport the audience to an era when Elton John was the biggest star in the world.
Check them out if you like:
Elton John, Billy Joel, Wings, Rod Stewart, The Doobie Brothers, Eagles, Supertramp
Jay Honstetter is a freelance writer. Follow him on Twitter @jayhonstetter.