One of the bands that defined the term “arena rock” was not just another band out of Boston. In fact, they were one of the first bands to put that city on the map. Boston is that band and they enjoyed performing before a sold out crowd at Artpark, this past Tuesday night. Boston also isn’t just another band touring the nostalgia circuit. They just released their 5th studio effort last December on Frontier records titled “Life, Love & Hope.” With the current lineup consisting of Tracey Ferrie on bass, Jeff Neal on drums, Kimberly Dahme on guitars and vocals, Tommy DeCarlo on vocals, Gary Pihl on guitars and original member Tom Scholz on guitar, vocals and keyboards, this incarnation had something to live up to and something to prove all rolled up into one.
Scholz has put together a heck of a lineup. It starts up front, and by that I am referring to the chance finding of DeCarlo from that social medium called Myspace, he can relate to the classic Boston fan but still was able to create his own niche within the outfit. He has that subtle but similar vocal styling of the late Brad Delp. The title track to the latest effort was a shining moment for DeCarlo. The song fits well into Boston’s catalog and has that traditional feel of a classic Boston track. What gave the song an unexpected boost was two B-52 bomber planes (Niagara Air Base is located close by) that happened to take flight over the venue at the time the song was performed.
Scholz and Pihl took turns balancing their guitar work with their time on the keyboards/organ. Scholz spent more time on the organ and seemed to really enjoy playing the first piece he ever wrote, the song “Foreplay.” He also went back and forth between the organ and acoustic guitar during the classic “Longtime.”
The band welcomed special guest Siobhan Magnus, of season 9 American Idol fame, to sing lead vocals on “Walk On.” This song included a free form where Ferrie and Neal were featured. Dahme provided great harmonies all night while playing a steady rhythm guitar. Scholz gave lots of love to longtime partner Gary Pihl. He credited Pihl for putting the tours and dates together so the band can go out and play for the fans.
Even with the passing of vocalist Brad Delp back in 2007, Boston did have various other vocalists in the band before and after his untimely death including: Fran Cosmo and Stryper front man Michael Sweet. Even though Delp had one of the most recognizable voices in rock history, DeCarlo and the others were able to prove that the band is greater than the sum of its parts. After the show at Artpark, I think many had walked away with the same feeling.
Setlist:
Rock & Roll Band
Smokin’
Feelin’ Satisfied
Last Day of School
Life, Love & Hope
Peace of Mind
It’s Been Such a Long Time
Cool the Engines
Surrender to Me
Don’t Look Back
Something About You
Amanda
The Launch
More Than a Feeling
Walk On (Siobhan Magnus on vocals)
Foreplay/Longtime
Encore:
Party
We would like to thank Gail Parenteau of Parenteau Guidance for the credentials to review the show.
