Writer’s Loss, Fans’ Gaines

I am totally dismayed by the mean-spirited review of the Davis Gaines concert at the Universal Amphitheatre (“Gaines’ Beautiful, Empty Sound,” Sept. 20).

True, the starting time was delayed, but there are a myriad of possible reasons. Why blame Gaines? Certainly it was not a perfect concert, at times almost amateur, but always the deficiencies seemed technical.

I found it hard to fault Gaines’ somewhat brave choices of some rather obscure, although deserving, songs, and his delivery is phenomenal. Did (critic Don) Heckman hear all the approving murmurings from the audience?

Gaines has a magnificent voice, and I personally can’t wait for his Orange County concerts.

ADRIANNE ROSS

Huntington Beach

Regarding Gaines not “telling a musical story”: Who cares? We went to listen to him sing without the mask on . He did a magnificent job of it and more than pleased everyone in the audience--except the reviewer. What is “the inner life of a song” anyway? Was Heckman expecting the Lee Strasberg method of interpreting songs?

JUDY TRAINER

and Family

Anaheim Hills