There’s nothing like a band that knows how to jam! I remember from the last time I saw Steve Winwood that jamming out in the middle of a song is right up his band’s alley. “Light Up or Leave Me Alone” is the perfect example of this skill. Everybody took solos and it killed! When a group of musicians are connected spiritually in a song they can run with it. They are all in touch with where the others are going, and you can hear it.
This was an old school, bare bones show. The band was set up pretty close together considering the size of the stage they had to work with. There was not even a drum riser. There were no ‘show biz’ special effects of any type. It was just the music, a great sound system, standard stage lighting and the GSR’s big screen monitors on either side of the stage. The show at The Grand Sierra Resort looked to be close to a sellout.
The “Low Spark of High Heeled Boys” was a highlight for sure. It started out slow and sultry with a very cool sax solo and it eventually built up to a fever pitched guitar solo that then dropped back down into a slow roll where the vocals came back in. It continued through more great solos (including a great organ solo) and a couple ‘fooled ya’ false endings until it wrapped up after close to 15 minutes.
As if that wasn’t enough of a highlight, they followed this up with an extended jam version of Light Up or Leave Me Alone that lasted 15:25. Everybody let it all out in this song. Paul Booth played a fantastic sax solo. Jose Neto did the same on guitar. Richard Bailey and Edson DaSilva played a 2 ½ minute drum / percussion solo that was awesome.
The whole evening was filled with memories. The crowd was definitely into it often rising to their feet, cheering and clapping. I’m sure there were some really great reruns on TV, but going out and supporting live music sounded better.
After the requisite stage exit they returned to encore with Dear Mr. Fantasy, and Gimme Some Lovin’. They ended the show as they started it with Steve’s hits from when he was 18 & 19 years old playing with The Spencer Davis Group.
SET LIST
- I’m a Man
- Fly
- At Times We Do Forget
- Pearly Queen
- Them Changes
- Can’t Find My Way Home
- Had To Cry Today
- The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys
- Light Up or Leave Me Alone
- Higher Love
- Dear Mr. Fantasy
- Gimme Some Lovin’
THE BAND
- Steve Winwood – Vocals, Organ, Guitar
- Jose Neto – Guitar
- Richard Bailey – Drums
- Paul Booth – Woodwinds, Organ
- Edson ‘Café’ DaSilva – Percussion
