Our Musical Journey Around New England and Beyond: Dance with Los Lobos Blues Band!

LOS LOBOS

01-Sep-06 Boarding House Park, Lowell MA

David Hidalgo-El hombre mas chingon on the guitar. We set up in front of him this show to bear witness to the greatness. Nothing short of spectacular. I was simply laughing during his solos, it was true joy hearing him rip up the summer night. This vato is truly gifted and I was honored to see him twice this summer! Gracis David. We got to see him close up when he invited us to dance on stage during La Bamba>Good Loving>La Bamba.

The Set List:

Wow! This evening was so much fun. The set list was rocking and quickly slipped into dancing music. Here is the set list:

The Neighborhood-very nice opener I Walk Alone-rather fast jaming on this cut. Reva’s House-nice to hear some Kiko stuff. Chuco’s Cumbia-Cesar asked if every one was ready to cumbia before this song. Don’t Worry Baby-very nice version. Still like to see Flaco Jimenez onstage with them once. Come On, Let’s Go-Before this song Cesar said, "This is for the youngsters in the crowd". Hold On-What can you say other that the lyrics to this tune are awesome and powerful. *Maricela-The vato on the congas was nice! Manny’s Bones-They played a short version on this. The Road to Gila Bend-This tune is growing on me. Good Monring Aztlán-Awesome! Kiko and the Lavender Moon-David gave a Birthday shout out and ripped up the accordion. Let’s Say Goodnight-Ok. now everyone is dancing by now. Ay Te Dejo en San Antonio-My favorite! What a great song. If only Flaco was there. Maria Christina-Very happy dancing. +I Got Loaded (w/Lovelight verse)-So much fun. #Mas y Mas-What?! The horn section was amazing. @Cumbia Raza-The best Cumbia Raza I have heard with the whole opening band supporting. *La Bamba>David intivet all of us on stage to dance and sing!! *Good Lovin’> *La Bamba --- Encores: &Hey Joe &Georgia Slop-Oh my! This was such an energized song. &Baby What You Want Me To Do?-Barrance has so much energy. He was doing flips on the stage and caused me to freakout with him. Controlled freak out of course. What a great encore. *-w/Yahuba Garcia on congas +-w/Cory B. on trombone, Henley Douglas Jr. on saxophone, and Mark Mullins on trumpet #-w/Cory B. on trombone, Henley Douglas Jr. on saxophone, Mark Mullins on trumpet, and Yahuba Garcia on congas @-w/Jen Kearney on keyboards, Cory B. on trombone, Henley Douglas Jr. on saxophone, Mark Mullins on trumpet, and Yahuba Garcia on congas &-w/Barrance Whitfield on vocals

Cougar Estrada-I can never get a good shot of this guy. This was during his drum solo.

Jen Kearney on keyboards. This woman can sing and is sick on the keys. She was rather fine to look at as well.

Cesar Rosas-He was on once again. He talked a lot tonight. He made fun of us for sitting during the first five songs. He got us all on our feet by the end of the evening.

Barrance Whitfield on vocals. This guy is a ball of fire. If anyone was sitting during his songs then they must have been deaf. I think I have been saved! This dude had the spirit of a revival preacher. In the words of John Lee Hooker "The blues a healer, it can heal you, it can heal me".

Louie Pérez-This guy is a quiet bad ass with the wisdom of an ancient curandero. I suggest checking out the i-tunes podcast to get a feel of his true wisdom on song writting. (Below) He and the masterful Steve Berlin jam. (Above) Louie was on fire duirng La Bamba with his quatro. I was about four feet from him on stage dancing with Kari.

Yahuba Garcia on congas looked to be having a great time with the boys. He was sporting a Carlos Beltran jersey from the Puertorican National team. Go Mets!

Conrad Lozano-Such a nice guy. We walked by him before the show as he walked around the city of Lowell. I would have missed him if it weren't Kari pointing him out. She said, "Hey isn't that one guy who is always happy on satge." Sure enough it was Conrad. We just stopped and stared for a second and went on our way. One of the best bassists living just walking around just a simple man. Que vida.

During La Bamba, Steve Berlin turned his mic to the kids and said sign! Sure enough these little kids, I am sure not native Spanish speakers, sang La Bamba to perfection! These ninos nailed it. I love these times, la cultura de la raza es en todo mundo! Talk about assimliation. Los Lobos have done so much for us by encouraging tolerence through music.