After a thrilling performance at Madison Square Garden in New York City days before, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band, The Doobie Brothers traveled north to Bridgeport, Connecticut. The band, which is on their “The 2024 Tour,” packed in fans who braved the rain and played a thrilling 15-song set. Before the show began, fans had to arrive early as the show was moved up a half hour with the storms approaching.
As fans were finding their seats, the legendary Steve Winwood and his spectacular band warmed up the humid audience. Winwood – who has been in famous bands like Traffic and Blind Faith – played a small, yet powerful seven-song set. Winwoods set featured music from his old bands. With the intro of “Can’t Find My Way Home,” fans roared to their feet and stood there the entire song. After each song ended the audience would repeatedly rise to their feet to pay respect to the living legend.
Winwood’s band featured five stellar musicians. The band featured Edwin Sanz on percussion, Tristan Banks on drums, Paul Booth on saxophone and piano and Nate Williams playing keyboards. Lastly, Winwood’s very own daughter, Lilly Winwood was featured on background vocals. The entire band had smiles on their faces, bringing an amazing atmosphere to the audience.
Just as quickly as Winwood jumped on stage, the stage was reset for The Doobie Brothers. The band did not have any flashy intro or spectacular entrances. Classically, the house lights dimmed and the band walked on and kicked into “Rockin’ Down the Highway” off of 1972’s Toulouse Street. Almost immediately, the rain – which stopped for Winwood – picked up again yet did not deter the band. They met the weather with great tunes and excellent showmanship.
In between songs, guitarist Patrick Simmons would whip out some of the brightest colored guitars in all of rock. One after the other, the spotlights would bounce off the shiny colored red and blue guitars. Flanking Simmons on his right was John Cowan who appeared to barely move all night. Despite the minimal movement, fans could tell that he was chugging away at his bass guitar throughout the entire set.
Some fans might have wondered what The Doobie Brothers sounded like during their “Golden Age.” Well, they didn’t need to think hard or long at all. Singer and guitarist, Tom Johnston along with keyboardist and singer, Michael McDonald, sound just like the records. Not every band can say that their singer’s voice has stood the test of time, but The Doobie Brothers can. Whether the song was “What a Fool Believes” or “Long Train Runnin’” Johnston and McDonald’s vocals were top-notch. The Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater is open to the outdoors on either side and sometimes vocals can get mushy. That didn’t happen for either vocalist. The vocals were one of the highlights of the show.
Joining Johnston, McDonald, Simmons and Cowan were four other stellar musicians. On drums were Ed Toth, John McFee on guitar, Marc Russo on saxophone and Marc Quiñones on percussion. Despite the crowded stage, each musician perfectly played their part in The Doobie Brothers’ rock and roll machine.
Throughout the show, the video screen would show moments in the band’s career and fade into the band on stage. The band’s crew did an amazing job enhancing the audience’s experience and giving them a little insight into the band in their heyday.
By the time the band reached the middle backend of the set, the smell of weed was distinct in the air, in typical Doobie Brothers fashion. By that point, the band was on another level as they were cranking out hit, after hit, after hit. Some fans took to the aisles to dance with their spouses. Others even tried to run up to the front to record their favorite songs. The amphitheater was in a Doobie Brothers frenzy.
In an attempt to save time, the band very quickly jumped back on stage for the four-song encore. The encore, highlighted by a Paul Simon cover of “Still Crazy After All These Years” was an instrumental duet between McDonald and Russo. Russo would take center stage when he belted out an amazing solo. It combined jazz, blues and classic rock into one solo reimagined by The Doobie Brothers.
As the summer winds down, The Doobie Brothers brought nothing but great vibes to the Bridgeport Audience. “The 2024 Tour” will take both bands to Saratoga Springs, New York to play at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. This tour is not to be missed, each band compliments each other perfectly and will make for a great night to “Listen to the Music.”
Steve Winwood Setlist: Glad, Can’t Find My Way Home, Why Can’t We Live Together (Timmy Thomas cover), Roll With It, Back in the High Life Again, Higher Love, Gimme Some Lovin’
The Doobie Brothers Setlist: Rockin’ Down the Highway, Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While), Here to Love You, Depending on You, Minute by Minute, It Keeps You Runnin’, Without You, Jesus is Just Alright (The Art Reynolds Singers cover), What a Fool Believes (Kenny Loggins cover), Long Train Runnin’, China Grove, Black Water, Still Crazy After All These Years (Paul Simon cover), Takin’ It to the Streets, Listen to the Music
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