Poi Dog Pondering

Poi Dog Pondering  – Ravinia

Despite record low temperatures and rain falling on and off throughout the evening, the fifteen member band known as Poi Dog Pondering took to the stage at Ravinia Friday evening, September 12 to a very enthusiastic crowd. Front man and founder, Frank Orrall delighted the crowd with all of their classic hits and even had the dance group House-A-Matic take to the stage during a few songs to add to their funky style that has given them their very distinct sound over the past 30 years the band has been together.

From their beginning early years in Hawaii as a street performing band, then to Austin, Texas and then rooting themselves in Chicago from 1993 to 1999, where the band developed a strong and loyal following. The orchestral arrangements with elements of House, Soul and Electronic music had the crowd up and dancing, a usual site at many PDP shows.
Another really nice highlight of the evening was when violinist Susan Voelz had her students join the band onstage for two of their classic hits, Catacombs and That’s The Way Love Is. A two song tribute to the legendary Clive Davis was accompanied the band on the xylophone by his son, Cliff Davis.

Poi Dog Pondering still holds the all-time attendance record holder for the Ravinia venue from their concert there in the early 90’s.

 

 

 

 

 

Reviewed by Joseph Paul

 

For more information go to www.ravinia.org