Allentown Symphony Hall, 24 Nov 2013

Allentown was the last tour stop before a 4 week break for Thanksgiving and some down time with families.  I knew from fan reports from the dates leading up to this one that it would be especially good, with new songs in the rotation and as usual, some surprises.  This, on top of what is already, in my humble opinion, the most energetic and fun live show out there!  So not only was I not disappointed, I found it to be arguably the best one I have seen.  Most definitely the  best show I've seen of the five that I've attended since the band reunited in June, 2012.

What I didn't know about the venue was that it has a long history, having been built in 1896 at the same time as my grandfathers were under construction :)  with 1200 seats on three levels, and great acoustics.

Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown, at sound check

 

Sound check was fun, with bits and pieces of the songs that would be performed that night, in a  completely relaxed atmosphere, plus an older one from Raul's "Today" solo album that was a nice warmup.  You can see from the interplay among the band members during "Pretend" and "Tequila" (not done during the show) that there is a nice comfort level, even on the part of the new trumpet player Tyler, who performed flawlessly in replacement of Quentin Ware.  Quentin, by the way, has moved on to other pursuits. Nice to see Raul's smile when Eddie came in with a melodic guitar part at the break in "The Wonder of You".   And it turned out to be a special treat because Eddie did not play on this one during the show later that evening. 

 

At sound check, tuning up "the instrument" didn't take long at all

 

 

Mockingbird Sun performed a great job as opening act, as they had for several dates in the Northeast, and did several excellent songs a cappella.

 

At about 8:20, "Zorba's Theme" started to play, and the Mavs took the stage to cheers.

 

I didn't keep track of the setlist, but I can tell from what's posted on Youtube and my own pics and videos that it included, in random order:

 

Back In Your Arms Again

As Long As There's Loving Tonight

Every Little Thing

The Wonder of You - solo Raul

Come Unto Me

I Said I Love You

Dance the Night Away

Pretend

Be My Guest (Fats Domino, first heard 10/8/13 at Tipitina's in New Orleans)

Never on Sunday

Boogie Shoes

From Hell to Paradise

All That Heaven Will Allow

One More Angel

In Another's Arms

Sinners and Saints

What A Crying Shame

Okie From Muskogee

La Bamba ---> Dance In the Moonlight

Moonlight Kiss - with great Elio Giordano solo on bass

All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down - rocking show closer with opening act Mockingbird Sun



 

I know I've missed a few in this 2 1/2 hour Mavsfest but that's most of 'em.

 

After everybody cooled off a little bit, most of the band came out to the lobby to say hello, take photos and sign, and just generally do what they do so well, which is give of themselves to their fans.  Jerry Dale had to take a pass as he had a very early flight home to see his family, but I think everyone else came out.  Here's a shot of the maestro working the crowd

 

 



 

Lest I forget, I want to insert a plug for the largest Mavericks fan group on the web, Mavericks Fans Unite.  It's over on Facebook and all of the concertgoers post lots of great content there:  photos, videos, reviews, setlists, historical artifacts - so go over and join up now or we will find you and... no, just kidding, it's voluntary.  But you know you want to.

 

Photo collection from that night

 

 

After Thanksgiving, Raul and Michael Guerra hit the road again for some solo shows, and then 3 more Mavs gigs in Louisiana and Texas, a Christmas break, the Delbert McClinton Sandy Beaches Cruise, and the tour resumes in early 2014.

 

And on December 8, 2014, happy 25th anniversary to the Mavericks







Three videos from Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown, NJ on 8/16/13

 

"Sinners and Saints" a.k.a WOW!

 

"All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down"

 

"Dance In The Moonlight"

 

 

The whole video collection from Tipitina's, New Orleans, 8 oct 2013

The whole video collection from Tipitina's, New Orleans, 8 oct 2013

Most of these are just quick clips but I did get a full song or two...  and the "Zorba" intro, because I was ready and waiting

"Zorba's Dance"

 

Raul Malo, "La Vie En Rose" with Michael Guerra and Quentin Ware

 

"Blue Bayou"

 

"La Bamba" becomes "Dance in the Moonlight" as if by magic

 

 

 

"Dance the Night Away"

 

"Pretend"

The whole photo collection from Tipitina's 08 oct 13

 Seth Walker

Photo credit Stede George (c)

Long time no post, & I should rename this blog "2012 2013 2014 and forever"

Greetings, Mavs fans. I've been slacking off in the blog department lately but have managed to see two Mavs shows since last post: one at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, NJ a few weeks back, and a great one this past Tuesday in New Orleans at Tipitina's, a neat little venue where we were front row, stage left, in front of a wild and crazy keyboard wizard of some renown.

I've posted photos to a Facebook group that you're all probably aware of called Mavericks Fans Unite. If you're not aware, go join, it's a great resource and forum. Go now! Go! You can come back here afterwards :)

Here is the one song for which I grabbed full-length video, with Raul, Michael and Quentin doing "La Vie En Rose":

 http://youtu.be/Nq-OFnEdWuc

Mike Scarborough took video of the entire show from the front row, stage right, and has uploaded all of the songs to YouTube - search username tigerbaitcom to see 'em all.

Set list:  this was not strictly followed, by the way, but is generally correct. Tipitina's welcomed the Mavs for two nights and unusually enough, "Come Unto Me" was not performed the first night, but was on the final night. In nods to the New Orleans crowd, "Blue Bayou" and Fats Domino's "Be My Guest" were part of the offering.

So I will end this blog post the way I always do, with "There's nothing like a Mavs show, go see one!"

And if you can't physically get to a show, Austin City Limits Fest is streaming live tonight, with the Mavs taking the stage at 20:00 US Eastern time (GMT -5h).  Go here:  http://dangerousminds.net/

The Mavericks Rock Musikfest Cafe at Steelstacks, Bethlehem, PA 18 April 2013

Introduced by Mavericks guitar player Robert Reynolds to a packed house in a beautiful new venue with the intriguing industrial backdrop of Bethlehem Steel's silent blast furnaces, talented Seth Walker spoke eloquently with his guitar for an opening set of about 40 minutes.  Having seen him open for Raul solo at New Hope Winery, we knew we would enjoy this warmup, and we did.  Seth and Raul met a few years back and collaborated on two songs on the Mavericks newest album, "In Time" http://www.allmusic.com/album/in-time-mw0002415265 released February 2013, and Raul and he have written material together for Seth's albums.

A few words about the venue: on the site of Bethlehem Steel's Bethlehem Works, out of the steel-making business since the 1980s, various redevelopment projects have begun to transform a rusty industrial graveyard into a destination, with a Sands Casino and hotel, restaurants, and now the great musical spaces of Steelstacks.  The Musikfest Cafe faces the old blast furnaces with a wall of windows, and as the sun drops below the horizon, blue accent lights begin to outline the old steelmaking structures.  No seat is further than 60 feet from the stage.  Here's hoping the Mavericks will return soon (and fine-tune the sound a little bit, I have to say).


Here's a shot of the band on stage and an idea of the venue:

In passing, I'll share a little bit of the advance publicity that appeared in the Allentown paper with an interview featuring Paul Deakin:

http://www.mcall.com/entertainment/music/mc-mavericks-musikfest-cafe-bethlehem-20130404,0,7300772.story?page=1

The show rocked!  There, how's that for a review?  What, more details?  OK.

Two and a half hours of the old Mavericks energy, with new songs, old songs, the typical Raul acoustic solo break in the middle of the show, an encore with more new and more old and some innovations on old covers.  No Spanish song, at least not that I recall.  Jerry Dale dancing...  Everyone but Paul and the trumpet and sax man singing on certain songs.  Eddie sings pretty good harmony in addition to his blazing guitar work.  Hearing him sing what was once Trisha Yearwood's duet part on "Something Stupid" was kind of a mind-bender :)

Having seen the band last August when they were first starting to tour together, I can say that they are tighter than ever, and having fun with it.  Oh yeah.  The UK fans are in for a treat come May.

Here's my attempt at recreating a setlist from memory, a dangerous thing, but I think I have everything listed, if not necessarily in the correct order.  In the acoustic break, it was a special thing to hear Raul do great justice to Patsy Cline's "Sweet Dreams".

Setlist, rough
Back In Your Arms Again (Tried to insert a little bit of a video clip here without success but find it here on Youtube:   http://youtu.be/ytQVed-tndA )

 

Lies
Born To Be Blue
All Over Again
Amsterdam Moon
That's Not My Name
Fall Apart
Every Little Thing About You
Pretend
Dance The Night Away
Oh What A Crying Shame
Something Stupid
Oh What A Thrill
There Goes My Heart
I've Got This Feeling
I Said I Love You

Acoustic - Raul

Here Comes The Rain
Sweet Dreams

Encore

Dance In The Moonlight
As Long As There's Loving Tonight
Guantanamera, band intros, and smooth segue into a rollicking Twist And Shout
All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down
All That Heaven Will Allow
Come Unto Me

What a show.  Everyone was up and dancing by the end and it just really channeled the old Mavs shows perfectly for me.

"Guantanamera"

 

 

 

I know, I know, long time no post.  The good news is, the Mavericks are getting proper publicity this time around and don't need much help.  Seems they're everywhere, from Leno to webcasts to radio, and the tour dates are up to date on the official website now.  Well, except for a little acoustic set at the New Hope Winery on April 14, that is...  Nothing at www.newhopewinery.com either but you can call 215-794-2331 or email info@newhopewinery.comfor ticket details. Having seen Raul's solo show there last December, I can say that it's a great venue, small and intimate and good sound.  I will see them in Bethlehem shortly after, on April 18 at the Musikfest Cafe. 

Obviously the new album is out, and sounds great, as expected :) 

So the tour continues, with a lot of US and UK dates listed and more to come.  Enjoy the music!