As I said before and after the show to various fans; “Los Lobos never fails to disappoint”.
Inspite of some challenges at this Troy Music Hall gig, this proved to be true.
1.Singer/Guitarist Cesar Rosas was missing. He was stranded presumably at the airport in Atlanta.
2. Singer/Guitarist David Hidalgo was nursing a cold.
Inspite of all this, the band played high energy, sincere, rock and roll to the nearly sold out house.
Starting with Flat Top Joint and ending with their last encore Good Lovin ‘(The Rascals) the audience was bouncing along with the band .
The catalog of this 50 plus year old is endless. Being a fan of this band since the early 80s and first seeing them way back in 2004 at a Mona Golub produced concert that attracted at least 5000 fans to festival appearances. Many favorites were played. Many were missed. Among the favorites were “Will the Wolf Survive”, “Dream in Blue”, “Lets Go”, “The Neighborhood” and “I Got Loaded”. Many of the songs performed in concert have never been formally released,
Embedded in the set list were covers of Traffic’s “40,000 Headmen”, the Grateful Dead’s “Big Bertha”, to the encore’s “Cinammon Girl” and “Good Lovin”.
Part of a last minute improvisation was singer guitarist James McLean strapping on his guitar to fill out the band’s guitar heavy sound.
Multi instrumentalist Steve Berlin did his usual splendid job with keyboard solos, baritone saxophone fills and an unexpected flute solo for 40000 headmen.
Fredo Ortiz provided a strong beat to drive the band’s sound. He provided some strong tuneful drum solos when called upon to do so.
Opening was the Jamie McLean Band. An Americana trio that with a basic rock sound but ventured into the blues and music of NOLA. McLean has played Aaron Neville, Dr. John and other heavies of that scene. Bassist Chris Anderson and drummer Henry Schaub provided straight back up. The band played an extended set in the hope that the stranded Rosas could show up in time for the performance.
As with all live performances there were challenges, this one had its share, but as I said at the beginning ,”Los Lobos never fails to disappoint”. Click here for more on Los Lobos and see below for all pictures from their performance in Troy!
Gallery:
Los Lobos
