Filed under: Seen, Heard, and Read
British soul guy, James Hunter, was the opening act.
Hunter has an amazing vocal range and plenty of energy, and knows his way around a lead guitar. The man from Essex can play and sing R&B in the manner of Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson, jazzy ballads like Ray Noble’s The Very Thought of You, and toss in a little funk and rockabilly for good measure.
The entertaining Hunter was backed by a polished and tight band that included two saxophones and a stand up base along with the requisite drums and keyboards.
East LA band, Los Lobos, played a 90-minute set that included a lot of extended jamming and an apropos play list based partly on audience requests.
Front men Cesar Rosas and David Hidalgo were charmingly self-deprecating, with Hidalgo even referring to the band as “old farts.” It’s not an entirely inaccurate appellation for a band that has been playing together for more than 30 years.
Los Lobos, of course, are best known for the bouncy La Bamba from the soundtrack of the eponymous movie. The song was on their play list, but their set covered a range of musical styles including blues, gospel, rock, TexMex, and country. Los Lobos are accomplished musicians, and their talents are best displayed when they play and sing traditional Spanish and Mexican songs.
There were a few technical glitches at the beginning of their set, and confused and frustrated soundmen following the labyrinthine cords around the stage were a bit distracting, but by the time the encore came, a cover of Neil Young’s Cinnamon Girl that was as good and intense as the original, the audience was on its feet.
The Wolves have survived. Long may they roam.
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