The band that formed some 49 years ago in Melbourne, Australia, is still touring and going strong, despite the fact that they are touring without any original members. The Little River Band did back to back stay on Tuesday and Wednesday this week at the West Herr Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda. There were a good crowd of people to see the hits that took them back to the mid to late 1970’s. In addition, the band came out with it’s first new music in 11 years when they released “Window to the World.’ The band now consists of Wayne Nelson on lead vocals and bass, Colin Whinnery and Bruce Wallace on guitar, Chris Marion on keyboards and Ryan Ricks on drums.
Nelson, who is the longest tenured member (since 1980), had a pleasing demeanor and kept the crowd entertained all night with his bass playing and jokes between songs. Wayne wasn’t the only one that handled vocal duties. Many songs that were performed the vocal leads went back and forth between various members. I thought the 2 new songs in “Window to the World” and “First Time” sounded quintessential Little River Band. I though musically, the band sounded pretty tight throughout.
Yes, it was an older clientele that witnessed the current version of the Little River Band but the band delivered what the fans wanted. They mostly stuck to the hits, made the crowd feel like an essential part of the show, and spread some humor throughout.
Setlist:
It’s a Long Way There
Man on Your Mind
Happy Anniversary
Take It Easy on Me
The Other Guy
Window to the World
First Time
Reminiscing
Lost and Lonely
Help is On The Way
Drum solo
The Night Owls
Cool Change
Lady
Lonesome Loser
We would like to thank David Fillenwarth from the West Herr Riviera Theatre for the credentials to review the show.
