Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Steve Winwood took flight at the OLG Stage this past Sunday night. It’s been 13 years since I saw Winwood in a live setting, so I figured now as good as time as ever to see him again. This time, he had his daughter Lilly in 5 piece backing band that also included Nate Williams on backing vocals and piano.
Taking the stage promptly for a 7pm show start, Winwood positioned himself right behind the piano for the start of the Traffic song “Glad.” He subsequently took a 6th string and then delivered the Blind Faith song “Can’t Find My Way Home.” That song is one of the most covered songs of all time, so it was good to hear the vocalist who actually sang on the original. Then, the Timmy Thomas cover “Why Can’t We Live Together” was up next as this time, Winwood played the organ. Yes, right off the bat, three songs and 3 different musical instruments as Winwood showed his musical diversity. For the song “We Can Work It Out,” Nate Williams took lead vocals. His voice reminded me a lot like Stevie Wonder. Williams did a superb job. Winwood took to the mandolin for “Back in the High Life Again.” I thought the highlight of the evening was the Traffic song “The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys.” It sounded great, and the band was spot on. The band received a standing ovation after this. Some more hits followed to close out the show including “Dear Mr. Fantasy” and “Higher Love.”
Overall, I thought Winwood’s voice has held up extremely well. He can still deliver a quality show even though it may be a short show. This show was about 1 hour and 20 minutes. I’ll take quality or quantity and think Winwood delivered that.
Setlist:
Glad (Traffic song)
Can’t Find my Way Home (Blind Faith song)
Why Can’t We Live Together (Timmy Thomas cover)
I’m a Man (The Spencer Davis Group)
Forty Thousand Headman (Traffic song)
Roll With It
Back in the High Life Again
Dear Mr. Fantasy (Traffic song)
Higher Love
Gimme Some Lovin’ (The Spencer Davis Group)
We would like to thank Erin Stitt from the Fallsview Casino for the credentials to review the show.
