The 2nd last week of Tuesday Night Concerts at Artpark in Lewiston NY featured the Doobie Brothers who brought a big bag of hits with them. They may have their most popular days behind them but you could not tell from the jam-packed, sold out crowd.
The Artpark open-air venue was overflowing with fans from the top of the hill right down to the stage. It was so crowded that many fans pulled up their chairs in front of the large video screens throughout the park to catch the show. The Brothers opened with “Jesus is Just Alright” to a great roar from the crowd and never looked back. This is a tight group led by original members Tom Johnston, Pat Simmons and John McFee. As they blasted through their many hits, noticeable was a concentration on pre-Michael MacDonald era songs.
The set list was full of rockin tunes like “Slippery St Paul,” “Eyes of Silver” and “Take me in Your Arms”. The big hit acoustic “Black Water” saw the 3 veterans take the stage front and rock out a much harder version. The crowd responded heartily and sang along to the chorus.
The band got more enthusiastic with each song, rockin harder and loving the crowd’s reaction to their music. The Doobie Brothers have taken the long road to get to where they are and nothing seems to be slowing them down. Who says you can’t Rock n’ Roll when your old? Not the Doobies. The hard rockin’ encore of “China Grove” “Road Angel” and “Listen to the Music” proved this band still has many miles to go.
Setlist:
Jesus is Just Alright
Rockin’ Down the Highway
Dependin’ On You
Clear as the Driven Snow
World Gone Crazy
Neal’s Fandango
Slippery St Paul
South City Midnight Lady
Spirit
Takin’ it to the Streets
Take Me in Your Arms
Don’t Start Me Talkin’
Black Water
Long Train Runnin”
Encore:
China Grove
Road Angel
Listen to the Music
