Varied set lists in Vegas
By Donna Stanley
HLN Today reporter
Las Vegas Hilton, March 21-23, 2002 - Blustery March winds may have been blowing outside, but that wasn't enough to daunt concert goers in Las Vegas for three nights of rock 'n' roll & rhythm and blues - Huey Lewis and The News'style.
Varying the set list for each night's show, the band played a variety of their hits and selections from their latest cd Plan B such as "I Ain't Perfect", "When I Write The Book", "I'm Not In Love Yet" (sans duet with Wynonna). "Plan B" gave the audience a chance to hear the horn section stretch out with individual solo spots.
Long time fans in attendance at the Thursday night performance were treated to a set list of songs not often played in recent years. The opener "Power of Love" was followed by "Old Antone's", "Time Ain't Money" and "Jacob's Ladder." The latter featured "blistering" solos each night by Stef Burns on lead guitar.
The band also introduced a new 'quasi' a cappella version of the 60's hit by The Drifters, "Under The Boardwalk" - inviting the audience to sing along. The News Brothers joined in on the horns for this number along with Stef Burns on guitar (and vocals) and John Pierce on bass.
Saturday evening's show began in an unusual manner for the band with the entrance of drummer Bill Gibson starting the set off with a catchy rhythm, followed a few minutes by each of the band members, in turn, adding their instrument to the "chorus". After all were onstage, Huey made his appearance, sending them into a rousing version of "So Little Kindness". This was very well received by the audience and made a great start for the evening's festivities.
Huey ventured off-stage at two of the shows to mingle with the audience during "If This Is It", while Saturday evening's performance of "Heart of Rock & Roll" had him dipping his microphone into the audience for a fan to yell the line "Hey, Johnny" (as introduction of the sax solo by Johnny Colla.) Each night also included the crowd pleaser "I Want A New Drug" and closed (pre-encore) with "Not Here For a Long Time." True to form, the final song at each performance (beginning with "the harp/drum bit" by Huey and Bill) was "Workin' For A Livin." Although audience enthusiasm varied from show to show, it was hard for even those who had never been to a Huey Lewis and The News concert to remain in their seats for the rousing end of the show each night.
