Your step-dad’s favorite band, Los Lobos, performed at The Egg in Albany on Friday, October 23. This evening there was no guitar or singing from Cesar Rosas, who missed his flight per bassist Conrad Lozano. So the band stepped up and played a setlist that featured more rock and improvisation than a typical Los Lobos show, inviting up opener Jamie McLean for a well-earned portion of their 90-minute set.
This evening at The Egg saw the venue maybe half full for Los Lobos, and the crowd was treated to a strong opening set of Delta Blues from Jamie McLean Band. The stage was warmed up for the East L.A. rock and roll of Los Lobos, who departed from the planned setlist when Rosas’ flight would keep him from joining them this evening. The change in setlist reflected more singing from David Hidalgo but alas, he would not don his accordion this evening, keeping Mexican folk tunes and “Kiko and the Lavender Moon” from being played.
Among the highlights of the 90 minute set were “I Just Wanna” by Vancouver band The Matinee, for whom Steve Berlin produced their debut album. A surprising cover of Traffic’s “40,000 Headman” featured Berlin on flute and sung by Hidalgo, the second time I’ve been lucky to catch this song in as many months. Ritchie Valens’ “Come On Let’s Go” arrived, the first hit from the Chicano Rock progenitor and one that should get as much attention as his other hits.
Jamie McLean joined for seven songs that would close out the set, including Sublime’s “Pawn Shop”, “I Got Loaded,” “Turn On Your Lovelight” and the Grateful Dead’s “Bertha,” which has always been a fan favorite, given the two band’s relationship dating back to the 1980s.
After a brief encore break, the band returned sans McLean, and began telling a story about a song they recorded for Neil Young’s Bridge School benefit. Implying it was an original, the crowd reacted strongly to Young’s “Cinnamon Girl,” one of the Canadian artist’s best and a welcome cover by Los Lobos. Before the night could end, Valens’ “La Bamba” had to make an appearance, the crowd singing along to the 1950s song, repopularized by the 1987 biopic of the same name. The Wolves had kept the spirit and music of Valens alive for 40 years, and added in some “Good Lovin’” by The Rascals in between verses.
While the show was a bit different without Cesar’s voice or the sounds of the accordion, Los Lobos gave Albany a top notch show. Here’s to hoping they return for Alive at Five next year.
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