May 10, 2019: Blues by the Bay

Redwood City, CA
Fox Theater

Anticipation can either enhance or completely ruin an experience. When you've waited a long time for something, the build up to the event can sometimes overwhelm the event itself. I bought my ticket to see Keb' Mo' at the Fox Theater in Redwood City -- about 10 minutes from my house -- in October. I could hardly believe my eyes when I got the email from the Fox that he'd be playing in May. I first heard Keb' Mo' in 1994 and fell in love with his eponymous "debut" album. (His true first album had been released a decade earlier to underwhelming response.) At the time I was really looking for some new sounds beyond my usual classic rock vibe and my favorite radio station at the time was playing an eclectic mix of music that included not just rock of the current and previous few decades, but a bit of blues and other genres. I soon made sure to pick up new Keb' Mo' CDs as they were released over the years and just fell in love with his delta blues style. Due to a variety of circumstances, however, I'd never gotten to see him perform live. Most recently, he was at the Mountain Winery last summer with Taj Mahal, but as I had been laid off at the end of 2017 and just started a new job in April my budget was a little tight for concert tickets. So, after 25 years of waiting, was the anticipation worth it or was I disappointed? I was definitely NOT disappointed.

It's been a busy few weeks at work. Lots of getting in early and leaving late (ish) as I've been supporting two extra teams in my office while the hunt is on for an additional EA. I actually thought the show was last Friday as I drove to work last week and was relieved when I saw it was still a week out. Hopefully I'd have a slow Friday and could go out and enjoy the evening. Alas, that was not to be. It was another hectic week and equally hectic Friday and I was pretty tired when I left work a little after 5. Back in October I had thought I'd go out for dinner before the show as a nice Friday evening, but as I left work I knew if I did that I'd fall asleep at the show. So I headed back home and took a quick power nap before making myself a light dinner.  Showtime was 8:00, so I left the house about 7:30 and headed off to Redwood City.

I hadn't been a show at the Fox in a while -- I usually go to the smaller Club Fox next door -- and it was nice to see how they set it up for a regular show. The Fox is an old movie theater that has been remodeled for use as a live music and theater venue. The front of the theater had removable chairs set up rather than the traditional bolted in seating found in the back of the theater. That allows for some GA type shows such as the benefit show Gregg Rolie did back in 2007. I headed down to my seat in the second row and was pleasantly surprised to find it was nearly center stage. The stage was set up fairly simply with a stool and microphone set in front of a back drop with "Keb' Mo'" in lights. There was another stool and microphone off to the side of the stage that I guessed would be for a second backing musician. It was actually for the opening act, a young blues guitarist named Jontavious Willis. He was very entertaining for his 30 minute or so set singing and cracking jokes. I didn't hit the swag table at all, but I definitely think I'll pick up his album.

Keb' Mo' hit the stage about 9:00 and I immediately started smiling and I didn't stop until the show was over. My face hurt! I've never left a concert with my face hurting! (Well, maybe that weekend in Michigan.) I haven't bought a Keb' Mo' album in a few years had been a little afraid he'd be playing tunes I wasn't as familiar with as I was with his mid-90s-early 2000s stuff. Nope, he played many of my favorite tracks from those albums. There were a few songs I hadn't heard before, but I enjoyed them almost as much as the ones I did know well. The show had a real intimate feel with just Keb' and his guitar on stage. It was a great vibe. A couple of personal highlights for me were "More Than One Way Home" and "House in California." The former is probably my favorite song of his, the latter is amusing and oh-so-true even more now than it was 20+ years ago. Jontavious Willis came out towards the end of the show for one song and it was fun seeing them play off each other.

Sometimes it can be difficult to describe the emotion and power of live music. I went into that show absolutely worn out from a busy work week and left three hours later invigorated with a relaxed and happy feeling that's stayed with me. Sitting in that theater and thinking "oh I love this song! .... I love this song too!.... Wow I'm so glad I finally got to this show!" all night long is just a great feeling. Just letting the music wash over me and take me out of time and space for a little while is a magical experience.

Who knew the blues could make you so happy?

Set list (courtesy setlist.fm)

Every Morning
Angelina
Just Like You
You Can Love Yourself
Soon as I Get Paid
Henry
More Than One Way Home
House in California
Life Is Beautiful
Am I Wrong
Anybody Seen My Girl
Government Cheese
Infinite Eyes
The Old Me Better
Old Walkin Blues (with Jontavious Willis)
I Remember You
This is Where I Belong
Put a Woman in Charge
Hand It Over

Encore:
She Just Wants to Dance
Shave Yo' Legs
I'll Be Your Water

January 13, 2007: Return to the Fox

Redwood City, CA
Fox Theater

So, two weeks, two benefits, two reports! The Nor Cal gang came to MY part of the bay and took in another great show by Gregg and his band at the Fox Theater in Redwood City. Now, unfortunately, it wasn't like the LAST time Gregg played a Voices of Latin Rock Benefit at the Fox -- where he was joined by Neal and several fellow former Santana members. Okay, so now I'm REALLY bummed I didn't grab a ticket to the show at Bimbo's on Thursday. Siiighh... Oh well, maybe next time! The show opened with a band called La Ventana that most of us missed as we were hanging out in the lobby of the theater yammering away as we always do at one of these gigs. When Malo took the stage we decided to go inside where it was MUCH warmer than the lobby which had an icy wind blowing through. (And while I know most folks live in places where it routinely snows during this time of year, we NorCals are NOT used to temps in the 30s and 40s as it has been lately and was again last night -- BRRRRR!)

Malo put on a good show which had people dancing all around. And despite only knowing one song myself (their big hit "Suavacito") I found myself dancing along as well. There's just something to those Latin rhythms that make you just want to move!

Gregg hit the stage about 9:45 or so and by that time we'd all worked our way down front. Anyone who's seen Gregg's band play knows just how good they are and how much fun they always seem to have on stage. The set list wasn't all that much different than any other time I've seen him over the last 6 years or so. More Santana stuff this time than Roots stuff, plus one new tune that he really needs to get recorded.

While they were playing I had the same thought cross my mind that I often have when I see Gregg -- all of those songs are nearly as old as I am. Gregg's time in Santana began before I was born (sorry Gregg!) and lasted until I was about 3 years old, but all those songs still sound completely fresh and exciting. Sure, I have literally been hearing them all my life, but there is a LOT of music I've been hearing all my life that hasn't held up over time.

The only downer of the show was it was general admission which means invasion of your personal space and all the general stupidity that comes along. Even with a more mature crowd, it's still annoying.

After Gregg's show was done, a couple of folks hopped next door to the Little Fox to catch the last bit of Evolution's show. I wasn't one, but did catch the end of "Faithfully" through the windows as I headed back to my car. The folks who caught that show will have to fill us all in.*

*I should have stuck around outside to listen from the street. Gregg joined Evolution for a few songs later in their set, including "Just the Same Way." My excuse -- it was below 30 degrees out! Way cold for the Bay Area!