Randy Bachman is a rock n’ roll icon. Years with the Guess Who, Bachman-Turner Overdrive and a long solo career have placed him firmly in the history of music. The 73 year old guitarist is a member of the Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville and the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, and has had career record sales of over 40 million albums. His latest tour brought him to Artpark in Lewiston, NY last Tuesday as a part of their outdoor concert series.
The show got off to a late start due to a bomb scare. This scare turned out to be residue from pyrotechnics. Bachman hit the stage with “Roll on Down the Highway” and immediately had the crowd singing along. A light rain started to fall but it did not phase these faithful fans who decided to wait it out. They were here to hear some great music and Bachman delivered. The Guess Who hits “No Sugar Tonight” and “These Eyes” followed and Bachman was in a comfort zone. His guitar skills have not diminished as his playing was smooth and methodical. His solos and rhythm playing were skillfully laid out in each song. Hit after hit followed. “Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet” and “American Woman” got the crowd on their feet, dancing in the rain. Between songs, Bachman bantered with band mates and audience members with a light-hearted tone, telling stories and relating personal experiences about his songs. He seemed to genuinely enjoy being onstage and the audience laughed with him.
As the show neared the finale, Bachman and the band stretched out with a medley of classic rock songs from Free, Steve Miller, Joe Walsh, AC/DC, and Rod Stewart. The crowd responded with a sing-a-long that was so loud that Bachman let them finish each song. The hit list came to an end when the band broke into one of Bachman’s biggest hits, “Taking Care of Business” from his old band Bachman Turner Overdrive to end the show.
Randy Bachman took care of business this night and left a rain-soaked crowd begging for more. If you did not make it to this show,
you just might have missed the most fun you could have at a concert this year .
Canadian rockers 54 40 opened the show with a strong set of hits that have made them one of the most popular bands north of the border. Lead singer Neil Osborne and bandmates drew a lively response from the crowd which included a large Canadian contingent that follow the band wherever they go.
Setlist:
Roll on Down the Highway (Bachman Turner Overdrive song)
No Sugar Tonight (Guess Who)
These Eyes (Guess Who)
Ain’t Seen Nothin Yet (Bachman Turner Overdrive song)
Lookin’ Out for #1 (Bachman Turner Overdrive song)
American Woman (Guess Who song)
No Time (Guess Who song)
She’s Come Undone (Guess Who song)
Let it Ride (Guess Who song)
Medley: HEY YOU (Bachman Turner Overdrive song), All Right Now (Free cover), Rockin’ me (Steve Miller cover), Life’s Been Good So Far (Joe Walsh cover), You Shook Me All Night Long (AC/DC cover), Hot Legs (Rod Stewart cover), Wild Thing (The Troggs cover), Hey You – reprise (HEY YOU – REPRISE -Bachman Turner Overdrive song)
Encore:
Takin’ Care of Business (Bachman Turner Overdrive song)
We would like to thank Maria Hays from Artpark for the credentials to review the show.
