Concert Review
Huey Lewis & The News
Seneca Allegany Casino
Salamanca, NY
Saturday August 31, 2013
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
Huey Lewis & The News brought their soulful blend of pop and doo-wop vocals to the Seneca Allegany Casino for a sold out show Saturday evening. The show unfortunately brought an end to the Casino’s Summer Rush concert series for 2013. The tour is celebrating the bands thirtieth anniversary of Sports, the album that helped push the band into the international spotlight.
In celebrating Sports the band played the album from cover to cover. A pair of “heart” tunes, “The Heart of Rock & Roll” and “Heart and Soul” started off the festivities. Following smash hit “I Want A New Drug”, Lewis quipped to the younger ones in the audience “that’s what we did kids we turned the record over” which received a reaction from the older members of the crowd.
Side two comprised of what Lewis called the more rocking side of the album as “Walking On A Thin Line” and the memorable “If This Is It” were performed spot on by Huey’s solid backing band which still includes original News members keyboardist Sean Hopper, drummer Bill Gibson and rhythm guitarist and saxophonist Johnny Colla.
Shortly after the Sports portion, Lewis announced it’s time to get the party started as the band broke into “Some Kind Of Wonderful”. The following song is where the crowd really came to life during “But It’s Alright” which had the audience come up to the front of stage as well as several fans were seen dancing in the aisles.
As Huey made his usual speech about “The Power Of Love” and how when the band wrote it that they would have have to play it every night of their lives. At that point Huey saw a fan hold up a sign and said “Any time you bring a sign we have to do it” as the band broke into “Back In Time” which appeared on the Back To The Future Soundtrack. Lewis and gang closed out with “Workin’ For A Livin.”
Summer Rush closed out on a high note as Huey Lewis & The News took the crowd back to a time when things were simpler. The band has reached the highest plateau twice as two of their albums made it to the top of the charts as well as three singles. The band still puts on a quality show as they continue to tour regularly. Judging by the band’s enthusiasm they don’t seem to be ready to pack it in anytime soon.
Set List
The Heart Of Rock & Roll
Heart And Soul
Bad Is Bad
I Want A New Drug
Walking On A Thin Line
Finally Found A Home
If This Is It
You Crack Me Up
Honky Tonk Blues
While We’re Young
Trouble In Paradise
Some Kind Of Wonderful
But It’s Alright
We’re Not Here For A Long Time
(We’re Here For A Good Time)
Encore
The Power Of Love
Back In Time
Workin’ For A Livin’
