I happen to have been invited to attend a very special Cisco Systems awards banquet during which Pat Monahan (lead singer of the Grammy winning band Train) did a private concert for the roughly 400 people in attendance. Seeing how I was sitting 10 feet from Pat and I happened to have my little camera with me I filmed a couple of songs (hope you don’t mind my sharing this one Pat!).
Now, before you get to watch the video I have to share the funny story behind the video. Seal was originally scheduled to perform at this event, but one day before he called in sick. It just so happens that Pat was on his honeymoon one island over on Maui, and somehow the event organizers managed to talk him into taking a break from his new wife to entertain this group. Clearly the only reason for someone to do this would be because he’s just a nice guy and willing to help out in a crisis. Thanks Pat!
Incidentally Pat, there were quite a few of us in the audience that were extremely happy to have you there (not to insult Seal or anything…). Personally I’ve got several Train songs in my Ipod at all times, and I’m looking to add a few of the ones from your new solo album
!
If you want to see or hear a little more of Pat Monahan, head on over to the videos page on his web site. Make sure to check out his duets of Drops of Jupiter with Cindy Lauper. It’s pretty darn cool…
I did record 2 or 3 more of the songs from this event, but it would take a whole lot of begging to get me to upload any more of them. And it might even take Pat giving me the green light because I don’t know exactly what the etiquette is here and wouldn’t want to do anything inappropriate.
Pat Monahan is an incredibly talented singer! There are not a lot of people that can take other people’s songs and make them their own. He sings some Led Zepplin songs and I think he does a better job than Robert Plant on some of those songs. He also does an amazing version of Aerosmith’s Dream On – a very difficult song to sing. He has done live renditions of many of his songs on The Howard Stern Show and sounded amazing! Singing at 7AM is not an easy acomplishment, just ask any singer.
Some groups have great songs, but when you take away the music and ask the singer to carry the song with just their voice they struggle. Pat Monahan is able to carry any song even without the music to hide him. That is the mark of a truely talented singer.
Brian
I have always loved Train. You were just there at the right place at the right time. I have a little grandson who just adores the song “calling all angels”. thanks for sharing with us, and thanks to his wife also!!
I was the one who negotiated this deal for the folks after hearing Seal got sick. It was a great show and glad you enjoyed it. Hope you qualify for this November as there is more in store!
I am a HUGE Pat Monahan and Train fan and I am THRILLED to see you capture this song! Great shot… loved hearing you sing “I won’t give up if you won’t give up” with him. Beautiful man. Thank you so much for sharing!
Very cool – thanks for sharing that with us! How amazingly cool that he would do that during his honeymoon! (Wonder how his bride felt about it…) ;)
Nice singing, John! :)
I must admit that I would have probably preferred Seal. But then again, I’m not a Train fan like you are (I actually don’t really know them at all). However, if a favorite group of mine showed up unexpectedly, I’d be pretty stoked just as you seem to be!