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Delivered In Style at New Jersey Concert A SoundPress.net Feature Article by Rich and Laura Lynch Huey Lewis and the News were one of the most successful recording acts of the '80's with 19 Top-Ten hits to their credit. The band was bolstered by their appearance on the fast selling Back To The Future soundtrack and it's no wonder that 30 years into the future after their founding that they are still selling out venues across the country. Such was the case on June 16, 2009, when The News made their fourth stop into their current tour at the Community Theatre at the Mayo Center for the Performing Arts in Morristown, New Jersey.
 Huey Lewis on stage in Morristown, New Jersey. Huey Lewis and the News were the proverbial bar band that made good. Known for their simple, straightforward rock & roll, the unit hailing from the San Francisco Bay region became one of America's most popular pop/rock bands of the mid-'80s. Taking their cue equally from British pub rock, '60s R&B and rock & roll, the News had a driving, party-hearty ethos that turned their songs into yuppie anthems of the day. Now, a little older and some with their children, these fans turned out in force to see the News delivered in style. The historic theatre on the Morristown green was filled with mostly middle aged fans - clearly on hand to be transported back on a nostalgic ride to the days of their youth when Huey Lewis and The News ruled the airwaves and the video countdown shows on MTV. Right off the bat - the band connected with the boisterous and appreciative audience. Armed with a harmonica in hand Huey and the band proved they can still pump out the magic with an energizing version of "The Heart of Rock & Roll". Next up was a sturdy rendition of Wilson Pickett's "Don't Fight It" that led into an abbreviated yet intoxicating take on "I Want a New Drug". "Small World" moved from smokey to sassy with short succulent solos from the News. Throughout the evening, Huey encouraged his capable band to step up and shine. Guitarist Stef Burns played a number of sizzling solos in the course of the band's hit heavy, sixteen song set. Huey Lewis and The New would expand upon a number of songs with additional instrumentation and interchanges. "This Is It" and a lively version of "Power of Love" were clearly crowd pleasers with folks clapping and even shouting despite the fact that Huey missed a few lyrics in "Power of Love". Huey acknowledged the rare error after thanking the crowd for their enthusiasm. Folks were here to have fun and Huey Lewis and The News did not disappoint.
 Good News! Huey Lewis and band still have a lot of heart and soul. "Jacob's Ladder" built up momentum in steps and band solos. Following a concert custom, Lewis introduced The News [Huey Lewis (vocals and harmonica), Johnny Colla (saxophone, guitar and vocals), Bill Gibson (drums, percussion and vocals), Sean Hopper (keyboards and vocals), John Pierce (bass), Stef Burns (guitars and vocals) and the horn section consisting of Tal Morris, Marvin McFadden and Rob Sudduth] and led them through acapella versions of "Slow Twistin" and "Under the Boardwalk". "Heart and Soul" was energized and engaging with expanded instrumentation including more animated axe work from Burns. "Some Kind of Wonderful" was spirited and "Its Alright" was feisty and a lucky fan briefly held the xylophone for Huey to play. They closed the set with the new and anthemic "Saturday Night" even though it was a Tuesday evening. "What can I tell you, so many hits, so little time," chimed Lewis during the band's three song encore which preceded yells from the audience requesting their favorites. Huey continued, "Oh no, don't go shouting out all the hits... it's embarrassing" before playing "Hope You Love Me Like You Say You Do" - an older song from 1982's Picture This album. "I don't have to tell you it's hard times for working people," Lewis concluded before dedicating his monster hit "Workin' for a Living" to all the "hard working men and women" in the crowd - thus, ending the evening on a high note. The band itself no longer works quite as hard as they did in their heyday - now in self-proclaimed semi-retirement - they still play around 80+ U.S. dates a year, with an occasional European tour. But, Lewis has been working on a long-awaited new CD which will be the band's first album of new material since 2001's Plan B. During the concert Huey thanked the audience for coming out to the show and implored them to "keep coming back" - and there's no doubt with the News this good and new music on the way - that Huey will be back in time himself.
 Huey Lewis and the News circa 2009. Opening the show was a one time top-ranked middle weight boxer turned musician Paul Thorn who was hand picked by Huey Lewis to join him on this tour. When Huey was delivering hits in the 80's Thorn was taking punches from Roberto Duran. Also the son of a Pentecostal preacher and a former furniture maker the artist served up a knock-out set of acoustic numbers that drew from his wide range of life experiences - including the autobiographical opener "I'm Still Here". Armed to do battle with his guitar, Paul provided a solid round of humorous storytelling and sensitive songs. Thorn shared commentary on his life and music and was able to captivate Huey's crowd. "If I Can Get Over Her" recalled a first love and first heartbreak. A sad yet funny piece - "Joanie, The Jehovah Witness Stripper" - was slightly racy but a riot too. Other songs included "Ain't Livin' In Sin No More, "Hammer & Nail" and "I Have A Good Day"- which was a sad number penned for a friend who unexpectedly lost his spouse in an untimely manner. "If you don't buy my CD you'll go to hell," Thorn remarked saying he learned a lot of tricks from watching his father deliver sermons before delivering his own "Mission Temple Fireworks Stand" - a song about a former tent revivalist turned fireworks salesman since nowadays the tents for both activities look the same. Paul finished his set with a touching new song about his mother and things she would say before thanking the attentive and enraptured crowd for being "so very nice to me". Indeed, it's not often an unknown opening act connects on such an intimate level but Thorn's life story and the way he presented it was captivating. His personal indie label is called Perpetual Obscurity Records but Paul Thorn is an artist you'll likely be hearing more of before long.
 Former professional boxer Paul Thorn was a knock-out opening act.
Huey Lewis and the News set list: The Community Theatre at Mayo Center for the Performing Arts, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that presents a wide range of programs that entertain, enrich, and educate the diverse population of the region to help and enhance the economic vitality of northern New Jersey. Recently - due to a $7 million capital campaign to upgrade its backstage technical capabilities, including the addition of an orchestra pit, fly-rail system, new dressing rooms and air conditioning - the organization has been able to add a summer season and now operates on a year-round basis. The Theatre is located in the heart of downtown Morristown and patrons can enjoy a complete evening out by catching dinner at one of the many quality restaurants that are within walking distance of the venue. Upcoming shows include a wide array of contemporary, classical, jazz and world music including performances by B.B. King, The Smithereens, Bernie Williams, Southside Johnny and Asbury Jukes, Peter Frampton, Brian Wilson and Bela Fleck and The Flecktones.
Related Links:
For more information on Huey Lewis and The News and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links --
HueyLewis.com |
Buy Greatest Hits |
PaulThorn.com |
Buy Paul Thorn CD |
MayoArts.org
 (Originally Published on June 18, 2009) |
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