by Rocket
Outdoor venues are usually the best places to catch a concert, and when it’s a comfortable summer evening it’s even more special. Such was the case last night in Alpharetta, Georgia, at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre where I was lucky to enjoy an evening with The Doobie Brothers, Peter Frampton and newcomer Matthew Curry.
Click above to view Matthew Curry phhotos
First up, 19-year-old blues phenom Matthew Curry. Hailing from Normal, Illinois, Curry has been capturing the attention of established acts and fans across the country as he’s toured with the Steve Miller Band and now the Doobie Brothers and Peter Frampton. Curry’s guitar riffs are so strong for his age that Peter Frampton had to give him kudos on his Facebook page: “I must also mention Matthew Curry who is opening for us on these dates. He wowed us all!! I see a big future for Matthew. Someone asked me in an interview today if I thought there could be any more guitar heros. Well, hell yes of course and Matthew is one who will prove that to be true.”
In Alpharetta, Matthew performed songs from his latest release, Electric Religion, which is available on his website at: www.matthewcurry.com.
Click above to view Peter Frampton photos
Touring as the special guest of The Doobies, rock guitar legend Peter Frampton took the stage and it was like stepping back into the 1970′s. Okay, so Peter has a little less hair than he did when he sported his long blond tresses, but his fingers are still as agile on the fret board and his voice is nearly as strong as it was when Frampton Comes Alive was released.
These are the songs I grew up with, and Frampton sounded great last night performing “Show Me The Way”, “Baby I Love Your Way” and, of course “Do You Feel Like We Do”. Frampton closed his set with George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, which he played with haunting guitar licks and melodic vocals which, in my humble opinion, surpassed the original version. For more on Peter Frampton, visit his website at www.frampton.com
Click above to view The Doobie Brothers photos
Forming in the San Francisco area over 45 years ago, The Doobie Brothers have been a mainstay on the American music scene since first hitting the airwaves with songs like “Jesus is Just Alright With Me”, “Listen to the Music” and the iconic “Black Water”. Comprised of core members Pat Simmons, Tom Johnston and John McFee, with John Cowan on bass, Marc Russo on sax, Guy Allison on keys and drummers Ed Toth and Tony Pia, The Doobie Brothers brought their A-game to Alpharetta where they performed all their well-known hits and more.
At this point, I’m not going to mince words… I hope one day Michael McDonald will consider going out on tour with the band again. Don’t get me wrong. Pat, Tom and John, along with the rest of the crew, ARE the Doobie Brothers and sound just as good as they did four decades ago. But it would be nice if I could once again hear McDonald sing “Takin’ It to the Streets” backed by all the original voices. (I’ve seen him perform it on his tours and, while it is still a great song, it’s just not the same.)
My husband has worked with the band numerous times and last night I had the opportunity as well, and I have to say the Doobie Brothers are some of the nicest guys I’ve had the pleasure to meet backstage. Down to earth, cut from the traditional cloth and not full of themselves like so many of today’s groups, The Doobie Brothers are a class-act, both on and off the stage.
If you have never caught The Doobie Brothers live, then I’ll simply say you are missing out on a musical experience that would be hard to match. For a concert filled with classic hits and packed with audiences who know every lyric to all those songs, get your butt out of the easy chair and purchase your tickets NOW!
For more about The Doobie Brothers, visit their website at: www.doobiebros.com
The post The Doobie Brothers with Peter Frampton and Matthew Curry in Concert in Alpharetta, GA appeared first on Music News Nashville.