Review by Donna Erichsen
Photos by George Bekris
Joe Walsh has a reputation of putting on a consistently enjoyable concert and tonight was no exception. At the Mohegan Sun Arena, he treated the audience to a great show. The 67- year-old is not only former member of the James Gang and present member of the Eagles, he’s also written a number of hit songs he’s performed in his long running solo career.
This concert was a sampling of his many great and enduring songs. The only drawback is that he has so many songs in his bag of tricks there is no way we could hear them all in one concert. Walsh was joined by his Barnstorm drummer Joe Vitale. He was also accompanied by Gannin Arnold on guitar, Larry Young on bass, Jason Freeze on keyboards and saxophone, Clayton James on keyboards and Drew Hester on drums. Melanie Taylor, Windy Wagner and Connie Jackson rounded out the band with their back-up vocals.
Walsh sang The James Gang songs “Walk Away,” “The Bomber” and a whimsical “Funk #49” with a mid-song inclusion of lines from “Funk #50” from his 2012 solo album Analog Man.
With “Turn To Stone” from his first solo album, 1974’s Barnstorm, he had the audience entranced in the moment. He used various guitars through out the show, so the sound and tone of his guitar was constantly changing.
The encore started with “I.L.B.T.s” from 1983’s You Bought It – You Name It, which was a hit with the crowd. Walsh tied the song in with the issue of breast cancer and mentioned that his wife is a survivor. He certainly brought the message home in a positive way. The guitarist and his band then finished the night with “Rocky Mountain Way,” always a favorite.
All in all, this was a great concert because Joe Walsh never fails to put on a fun show. We’ll be seeing him next time as well.
