2008 Woodie Awards
LaVasseur displays variety at concert
By: Lalita Chemello
Issue date: 3/31/08 Section: News
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LaVasseur's performance was not just about the music, but about the entertainment as well.
His precise guitar slaps and strumming of notes and chords had a sound similar to that of the style of John Mayer.
Did I mention he went on tour with Mayer?
LaVasseur made his own songs familiar by using other possibly more familiar songs.
His song about St. Patrick's Day incorporated an eight-song medley. There was a little bit of Eminem, Avril Lavigne, TLC and Paula Abdul.
His original works varied in musical styles, ranging from a folk-ish sound to hard rock (if you can get that on an acoustic guitar).
"One More Hour" and "Change" were a couple of my favorites.
And he had a range of interesting forms of inspiration, including a box of wine and the title "I'm a Balloon" that came from it.
He covered a few complete songs such as Oasis's "Wonderwall," Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" and The Beatle's "Let It Be."
Aside from the wacky distracting outfit - wearing a blue suit jacket with a green shirt and flair tie, all at the cost of $9.50 from an upper peninsula Goodwill store - he definitely had an outgoing personality and engaged the audience frequently throughout the show.
He took requests frequently, trying by the end to let himself pick a song.
The audience eventually let him have his way.
There were a couple songs he dedicated to specific girls in the audience and poking fun at the guy who was talking to his friends during the song he requested.
I would have been embarrassed to be that guy.
One could not imagine how person could take over the stage, but LaVasseur managed it. His jokes, side comments and random song inserts into his own music had the audience laughing and enjoying the night.
Students can check LaVasseur out on his Facebook account. You can befriend him and poke him. He encourages it. He said he will not initiate the pokes, but he will poke back.
And then maybe he will get you a CD. You might have to pay for it though.
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