Well first let me say that if this lands anywhere near you, try and nab a ticket. I don't know if you saw the RS interview with Roger McGuinn in the previous thread, but McGuinn stated that they would have booked a lot more dates if not for the fact that Marty Stuart has a contract as opener on Chris Stapleton's current tour. In fact, Stuart opened for Stapleton at the local shed just last night, July 28.

I went with a local buddy, Mark, who is the most knowledgeable music person of just about anyone I know, a local blues DJ who has been running the blues programming out of Santa Clara University for many years. I remarked to him about halfway through the second set, "I'm not really into country, but man, I'm REALLY enjoying this." Mark: "These guys are top shelf."

And really I couldn't put it any better than that. I don't care if you're into country or not, if you walk away from this tour not being blown away by the incredible and varied set list, the supreme musicianship and the beautiful harmonies...........well, your taste must lean heavily towards either death metal or rap.

Just a beautiful, beautiful show is the only way I can put it. The video police were out in force, in fact they confiscated my camera upon entering (yes, I got it back). I managed to sneak a small amount of video on my phone and will upload probably tomorrow..........it's late and I have an early appointment.

They opened with the Byrds huge hit of the Dylan tune, My Back Pages, Roger Mcguinn's Rickenbacker making that sweet jangly sound of his. Even the first set was dominated by country music and Mr. Spaceman proved that The Byrds had a country bent long before the Sweetheart record. They also did Mr. Tambourine Man............oh man, what a version. Can anyone else play that tune like McGuinn?

The first two tunes of the second set were just Marty Stuart and his three piece band behind him doing that kind of superlative country pickin' that will win over even the most stubborn critic. Then of course McGuinn and Chris Hillman joined them for the entire Sweetheart Of The Rodeo record, done in true authentic country style including the awesome Chris Scruggs on pedal steel guitar. The four part harmonies were just a thing of beauty throughout this set and included McGuinn, Hillman, Stuart and drummer Handsome Harry Stinson. Stuart's band is something to behold and Chris Hillman's voice was very impressive throughout this show.

The encore began with a rousing and inspiring So You Want To Be A Rock 'N' Roll Star followed by Tom Petty's American Girl. I don't think it's any secret that Tom Petty and Roger McGuinn had a mutual fan club going and one must wonder if Petty would ever have picked up a Rickenbacker 12 string if not for Roger McGuinn.

The Petty tribute continued as the show morphed into now my favorite segment. The six piece band went nearly completely acoustic, the lone exception being McGuinn who held onto his Rickenbacker. Otherwise even the drummer stood out front with only a snare strapped around his neck, acoustic bass, Hillman on acoustic, Stuart's excellent guitarist Kenny Vaughn on acoustic, Stuart on mandolin. They broke into Petty's Wildflowers with Hillman singing and it would get my honors as the most lovely tune of the night. A sterling Runnin' Down A Dream followed, the band staying in the acoustic format. Marty Stuart's mandolin picking can only be described as extremely intricate and extremely lovely.

They quickly switched back to electric mode and finished with a rousing Turn! Turn! Turn!, the traditional folk song which The Byrds turned into a huge hit in the 60's.

What more can I say? This and this only: GO GO GO GO GO GO. I hope this tour comes to your area.

[Edited on 8/4/2018 by robslob]