Inside or Outside, the band is in top form
By Patti Mroczek
HLN Today reporter
Oakdale Theatre, Wallingford, CT - 3 August 2001 & Jones Beach Amphitheater, Wantagh, NY - 4 August 2001 - Whether it be inside an air conditioned theater set in the Connecticut countryside, or sitting in the hot humid air above the Atlantic Ocean at one of New York’s greatest beaches, HLN delivers an utterly fantastic performance.
On both nights the song sets were basically the same, starting off with the rousing "We're not here for a long time," immediately followed by "My Other Woman." Huey welcomed the audience and said it was good to be back and see everyone again. Certain that the audience was probably sick of the old songs and wanted to hear the new ones, Huey said he would take care of old business. The "oldies" set started with "Heart of Rock and Roll", followed by "Doin’ It All for my Baby", and the ultimate crowd pleaser, "Power of Love."
Huey then familiarly responded to some of the calls from women in the audience by saying, "I love you too, now stay back." Huey reminded the audience that there was a new CD out and for those in the audience that didn’t already have it - the store may still be open. The title track of the new CD -Plan B- was then performed so that the guys could 'stretch out' and the audience could participate with the practiced cued shouting of Plan B. Without skipping a beat, next was "Rhythm Ranch" which included the recent addition of one line solos by Johnny Colla and Sean Hopper. "If This Is It" and "Too Hip to be Square" followed, leading into the a'capella portion of the concert. After introducing his colleagues of many years, they did a fantastic new mix of "Naturally" and the song always dedicated to the ladies of the audience, "60 Minute Man," bringing the shrilled screams of the females and snickering of the men.
Huey then introduced the single from the new CD, "Let Her Go and Start Over". Then it was back to the oldies with the audience up and dancing to "Heart and Soul," "But Its Alright," and the finale "I Want a New Drug."
As has been the custom of the band, they came out for an encore. Huey polled the audience to see who have been to concerts before and who were seeing them for the first time. For the 'oldtimers' who have kept the faith, they played a new slower bluesy version of their first hit, "Do You Believe In Love."
At Jones Beach the audience was treated to a guest performance by Mr. Personality - Lloyd Price. Lloyd performed Stagger Lee with Huey Lewis and the News as his back up band.
On both nights the band followed the first encore with "Workin' for a Living." "Stuck with You" was included in the first encore at Jones Beach and in the second encore at Oakdale. The band finished the night with second encores including "I Ain't Perfect" and "Back in Time."
Huey Lewis and the News may say they're "not perfect," but they’ll always be perfect for they're devoted fans.
Note: At the Jones Beach concert WALK Radio in New York, a sponsor of the concert, and Huey both announced that he donated the single "Cruisin'" to be used on the CD Yesterday and Today 2001 - Standing Abreast for A Cure. 100% of the proceeds for the sale of this CD will be donated for cancer research. Please support this effort purchasing the CD at any Vitamin World - Nutrition Warehouse on Long Island, or directly through the radio station by sending a check for $10.50 to WALK Radio 66 Colonial Drive East Patchogue, New York 11772. In addition to "Cruisin'" included on the CD are "Breathe" by Faith Hill, "Strong Enough" by Cher, "Man I Feel Like A Woman" by Shania Twain and "That’s The Way It Is" by Celine Dion.
These two concerts were great. Fifteen years ago Huey said about the music business, "The hell with the awards; what stands is the hang."
