Sara Evans @ Allegany Events Center (Inside the Seneca Allegany Casino), Salamanca, New York 4-30-13

Country vocalist Sara Evans enjoyed her 2nd trip in 3 years to the Seneca Allegany Casino last Sunday afternoon. Evans is hard at work on a new CD following 2011’s “Stronger” disc release. In between her studio work, Sara is fitting in a few dates here and there and she has built a dedicated following in the WNY area.

Evans appeared at 5pm sharp and went into “As If,” off of her 2007 Greatest hits compilation. There were minor differences in the set list from 2 years ago except I thought her voice sounded more powerful this time around. She delivered the songs more passionately and with more drive. This was especially the case on “Stronger.” Evans told a story of her first encounter with country legend George Jones, who recently passed away. She went on to say her mother also loved him and that she wanted to play a song in his honor. “He Stopped Loving Her Today” was done with eloquence and I’m sure Jones would have approved Evans version of the song.

Evans played a few other covers and one she made her own was Rod Stewart’s “My Heart Can’t Tell Me No.” She got a very warm reaction to that song but her bread and butter for the night came by way of “Suds in the Bucket.” The crowd reaction to this song was an extremely positive one. Some fans got up to move to the front of the stage to dance along to the music. She gave kudos to her brother and bass player Matt Evans who wrote “Anywhere” and she thanked him for the fine job he turned in.

With Evans vocals in tip top shape, I’m very curious as to what her upcoming album of material will be sounding like.

Set List:

As If
Perfect
Born To Fly
Cheatin’
Saints And Angels
Anywhere
Coal Mine
He Stopped Loving Her Today (George Jones Cover)
My Heart Can’t Tell You No (Rod Stewart cover)
A Little Bit Stronger
Suds In The Bucket
I Could Not Ask For More
A Real Fine Place To Start