My buddy Skip emailed this to me....Jdawg thought you might want another review of the show
Dave
The Steve Miller Band and Guests
Fillmore Auditorium
San Francisco, CA
March 26, 2008
The lure of Steve Miller playing the Fillmore snagged me hard and I scored a couple of tickets to the last show of his three night run last night. And am I ever glad I did. It will be remembered as one of the best nights I've spent in the presence of pure and exemplary musical talent. As the hand stamp fades from the back of my right hand, the memory may fade as well, so I'll offer what I recall.
The show opened with Robben Ford, whose prowess on guitar continues to enthrall me. For a guy that's known for his blues playing, and he didn't disappoint in this regard, I was most impressed with the faster paced numbers that were more in the rock and roll vein. Powered by a solid drummer and bassist, Robben worked his well-worn guitars to extremes that drove the crowd crazy. They played for a little over an hour, whetting our appetite for what was to be served next on the famous stage.
After the break, Steve Miller came out, solo in a single spotlight with a 12 string guitar, acknowledged his personal history with the Fillmore and sang a beautiful version of "Seasons" from Brave New World. He then told a very intimate story about the guitar - how he had bought it in 1965, how it was a part of him, and then how it was stolen on a plane flight and how he got it back 3 years later – after which he played stirring versions of "Kow Kow Kow Calculator" off the same album and "You Send Me" from Fly Like an Eagle.
Steve then strapped on his Fender guitar and introduced the band; Norton Buffalo on harmonica, Joseph Wooten on keys, Billy Peterson on bass, Kenny Lee Lewis on guitar and Gordon Knudson on drums. Just to make sure they knew who they were, they launched into "Take the Money and Run", Steve's breakthrough 1976 single followed by "Dance Dance Dance". The opening notes of "The Joker" were greeted with cheers and for which the Fillmore audience sang every line, as well as the "woo-woo" cat-call guitar effects.
The band left the stage and local Latin legend, Carlos Reyes set up his harp alongside Steve, performing a strikingly elegant solo of "Nature Boy" on which Steve joined in, singing with equal aplomb. The two then did a beautiful version of "Wild Mountain Honey". Next, the band came back out, Carlos picked up a red violin and they performed a magical version of "Abracadabra", with Carlos' violin complementing Steve's guitar perfectly. Then "The Stake" and "Swingtown" from 1977's Book of Dreams.
Steve next introduced jazz guitarist Brian Nova, who performed a moving solo version of "Shadow of Your Smile" and then the biting blues of Freddy King's "Tore Down" with Steve and Brian filling the guitar parts with all the passion they deserve. Steve then brought out Danny Carrin on guitar and soul and R&B vocal legend Sonny Charles. They did fantastic covers of Chuck Berry's (?) "Driftin and Driftin" and blues numbers, "No More Doggin", for which Steve took over on vocals, and "Drivin' Wheel", where Sonny showed where he gets his reputation. This blues segment was filled with the obligatory solos on which each performer excelled, from Wooten's grinding organ to Buffalo's passionate harp, to Stevie "Guitar" Miller's sometimes gentle, sometimes raw, always perfect playing. I was equally impressed with how Peterson's bass held down the vital blues bottom.
After those guests walked off, and just when you think it can't get better, Steve introduced Bonnie Raitt. Bonnie looked great, wearing a broad brimmed black hat and bright blue chiffon blouse over jeans and her signature bright blue Fender guitar. She was joined by Bay Area vocalist Tim Hockenberry. Tim sang a great cover of Taj Mahal's "Built for Comfort", his voice reminiscent of Joe Cocker on maybe Huey Lewis. They then did a number that Boz fans are familiar with, "Your Good Thing (Is About to End)", with Tim's vocals handling the nuances well. Then Bonnie played her searing slide guitar over Miller's vocals on his "Mercury Blues".
Michael Carabello, Santana's original conga player and now with The Gregg Rollie Band, set up with Adrian Areyas on Timbales on the right side of the stage. The band played a muy picante "All Your Lovin" followed by the fun singalong, "Shu-Ba-Da-Du-Ma-Ma". In from the left wing comes the striking profile of Joe Satriani, bald with wrap around sunglasses and bright red guitar. Joe and Steve play scorching versions of King's "Texas Cannonball" and Robert Johnson's famous "Crossroads", each guitarist, including Kenny Lee Lewis, produced amazing solos and marvelous interplay. Hot!
Lights down; darkness, followed by the intro synthesizer oscillations of "Fly Like and Eagle", with the spotlights spiraling in synchronized fashion, and the crowd roars in anticipation and appreciation. I'm not really a fan of Miller's bigger hits, but the jam in the middle of "Fly" was simply superb, with Reyes joining in on violin and the guitarists riffing big time. They finished with "Jungle Love" and "Jet Airliner" and it's at this point, even though I'm only 10 feet in front of Steve, that I feel the most alone. But the kids loved it, and the band left the stage to a sustained roar of approval.
Steve soon came back out, saying he "heard there was a Beach Boy at the Fillmore tonight", at which point he introduced Al Jardine. Looking aged but spritely, Al greeted the crowd. Everyone on stage for a rousing version of "Help Me Rhonda", the perfect finish to the perfect evening.
When I dropped my friend Michael off at our rendezvous point, he said that every time he steps out of the car from a show he says, "that's the best show yet". I agree, at least until the next one.
