Writer/Photos: Amy Modesti

How do you make two blues-rock legends appear on the S.P.A.C. stage in one night?! “Abracadabra”!!

Sunday, July 24, Steve Miller Band and Jimmie Vaughan performed at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) in Saratoga Springs, NY for legions of fans. Out on the main stage came out sizzling performances from two of the nation’s blues-rock turned commercial acts who delivered a tribute to the founding fathers of blues and a deliverance of good ol’ rock & rolling hits.

The elder brother of Stevie Ray Vaughan and The Fabulous Thunderbirds founder didn’t shy away from teaching fans how to do “The Crawl” with his seven-piece ensemble. Vaughan’s band brought out boogie-woogie vibes in their tight musical numbers alongside each tune. Vaughan paid homage to the late Les Paul and other blues greats both instrumentally and lyrically. They were tight, fun, and danceable and it’s great to see the blues remaining contemporary and alive on the big stage. Stevie Ray may have brought out “Pride and Joy” but Jimmie, understated in presence, brought out “The Crawl”, drive, and prowess to success in his set.

A circular white unicorn with rainbow wings, centered above stage, set the mood and anticipation of Steve Miller Band. Miller’s 2022 Working tour opened with three blues covers; “Stranger Blues” (Elmore James), “Blues with A Feeling” (Rabon Tarrant), and “I’m Tore Down” (Freddie King) featuring Jimmie Vaughan on additional lead guitar. Watching Vaughan and Miller trade riffs off each other as if they’ve been involved in their own band was mesmerizing and exciting.

Bouncing off hit after hit after hit, Miller’s voice was impeccable, in tune, and guitar prowess in slide and fingering was perfection. Every sound effect done on piano in “Fly Like an Eagle” and “Abracadabra” were spot on in their live arrangement. From the commercial hits, an acoustic take of “Dance, Dance, Dance”, and a final encore of “The Joker”, Steve Miller Band had fans of the 1970’s sent on a “Jet Airliner” to a stellar show!!

Steve Miller Band Setlist:

“Stranger Blues” (Elmore James Cover), “Blues with a Feeling” (Rabon Tarrant Cover Ft. Jimmy Vaughan), “I’m Tore Down” (Freddie King cover Ft. Jimmie Vaughan), “Fly Like An Eagle/I Want to Make The World Turn Around/Fly Like An Eagle”, “Jet Airliner” (Paul Pena cover), “The Stake”, “Abracadabra”, “Dance, Dance, Dance”, “Swingtown”, “Jungle Love”, “Serenade”, “Space Cowboy”, “Livin’ In The U.S.A.”, “Take The Money And Run”, and “Rock’n Me Baby”. Encore: “The Joker”

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