It was great to have the Band back in Toronto this year. A very decent crowd and in my opinion they were very enthusiastic. A pat on the back to all the Canadian PeachHeads.
After hearing that Warren wouldn’t be playing I was a little disappointed, however after seeing the Band tonight with Jack Pearson filling in, my disappointment faded quickly. I am not going to tell you how great everyone was, because all the superlatives have been said before, but it was nice to see Derek have a chance to shine playing the lionshare of the slide tonight. The band was tight, smiles all around, they looked like they were having as good a time as the audience was. Gregg was right on tonight and sounded great.
Here are my highlights, the show was a throwback to the early 1970’s, including only songs from the first 4 studio albums up to Brothers and Sisters. We got a real surprise when during the 4th song (Liz Reed) Chuck Leavell sat down at the keyboard and pounded the ivorys for the next 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Elizabeth Reed gave everyone a chance to solo including saxaphonist Ron Holloway.
I got to hear Dimples performed live for the first time with Jack on vocals with some great guitar interplay.
I also heard Leave My Blues At Home for the first time and it included an awesome drum solo, especially near the end of the solo when, Jaimoe, Mark and Butch, seemed like they where going around the horn chasing each other. Nobody left for the concession stand during the drum solo either, as is normally the case.
Here is the set list:
One Way Out
Ain’t Wastin Time No More
Midnight Rider
Elizabeth Reed
You Don’t Love Me
Don’t Keep Me Wonderin
Stormy Monday
Dimples – Jack vocals
Stateboro Blues
Leave My Blues at Home
>Drums
>Bass
>Leave My Blues at Home
Southbound – only time Jack played slide
Jessica
Encore:
Whipping Post
