It’s been a drought for most of the summer in the WNY area as they are breaking decade long records for the least amount of rainfall. For the 2nd time this summer the Seneca Niagara Casino had an outdoor scheduled show and it rained both times, Hollywood Vampires being the first. This weather included high winds that forced the show into the smaller confines of the event center inside the casino.
Considering the amount of chaos that developed regarding seat arrangements, Christine Cooper and her staff at the Seneca Niagara Casino handled the cards dealt and still were able to pull off a show that left the fans who did attend very satisfied considering the circumstances. They gave the people who had pre-purchased tickets the option to stay or obtain a full refund.
The show started at 8:30pm with Rob Thomas taking the stage first. In support of his 3rd solo effort titled “The Great Unknown,” he felt right at home driving a set that lasted about an hour and a half. He thanked the people who decided to stay and gave them a night to remember.
Thomas started off with the poppy laden self-titled track from his first solo record titled “Something to Be.” Thomas danced and moved around from initially taking the stage until the end of the last notes. He played acoustic on the 2nd track “Mockingbird” as well as “Getting Late” and “3AM” in which he was without his band. Thomas’ vocals were spot on and he sings with passion. If the crowd was in a down-type of mood due to the aforementioned then Thomas lifted their spirits during his performance. Thomas twirled his mic a lot and interacted with the crowd when he wasn’t playing the guitar or singing. He really connected with his audience throughout the show.
Headlining were the Counting Crows. I’m not sure that they do so every show as someone told me that they alternate headlining every other on their co-headlining tour. It’s the first time I ever took in a Counting Crows show and I must say I was very impressed. The band who are led by Adam Duritz on vocals, started with the tune “Scarecrow” off of their latest release “Somewhere Under Wonderland.” Counting Crows have an eclectic sound and incorporate a lot of mandolin in their songs. This is handled by the talents of David “Immy” Immergluck. Immergluck also played guitar and went back and for all night between the instruments. Charlie Gillingham handled the accordion on a few tracks as well as keyboards and the Hammond Organ. Along with the guitar sounds of David Bryson and Dan Vickery this gave the Crows a lush sound.
The band focused on material from “Somewhere Under Wonderland’ by playing 4 of their 15 songs off of it. Duritz took the solo spotlight on “Colorblind.” He also played the piano on “December” and was accompanied by Gillingham’s accordion sound.
I should also make note of the rhythm section that were basically out of the light and in the background the entire show. Jim Bogios on drums and Millard Powers on bass held it down and gave the others the freedom to expand and play. It was nice to see 2 of their biggest hits “Mr. Jones” and “Rain King” live and Duritz vocals on these and throughout were spot on and didn’t disappoint.
Sometimes back to the basics is a good thing, artists, instruments, audience. I think both Thomas and Counting Crows did this superiorly well this evening.
Counting Crows Setlist:
Scarecrow
Daylight Fading
Sessions
Colorblind
Omaha
Cover up the Sun
Satellites
High Life
Possibility Days
Bi Yellow Taxi
Mr. Jones
A Long December
Encore:
Palisades Park
Rain King
Holiday
Rob Thomas setlist:
Something to Be
Mockingbird
Diamonds
Falling to Pieces
Getting Late/That’s Alright Momma (snippet-Elvis Presley cover)
Lonely No More
Fire on the Mountain
3AM
Baby I’m a Star
Someday
Bent
Pieces
Heaven Help me
Street Corner
Smooth
Heartbreaks
We would like to thank Phil Pantano from Pantano & Associates for the credentials to review the show.
