Standing room only, no pit and belly up to the stage. The lady with the pretty blonde hair in front of me was from Austin and wasn’t messin around. Her words almost exactly. Some of that blonde hair made into the photos, in fact I think that’s her in the photo of the bass player.

I talked around a little more and realized just about everyone else was just as rabid a fan and seeing as how this was the first time I’d seen them live I figgered I’d just settle back and enjoy the ride. Dam the blondie..full speed ahead.

This tour marked 25 years of touring together and it played like a best hits for right at 2 ½ solid hours to a wall-to-wall sellout crowd in the Houston of Blues main room.

These guys know how to throw a party and after a slightly slow start things got quickly under way and got pretty much out of hand with danceable hit after danceable hit. I really don’t know how else to describe it, except to say it was fun! It was one of those forget your cares and let’s just party kind of nights. Make sure to see the setlist below, it tells the story.

The newest record In Time was released in 2013, a full 10 years since 2003’s The Mavericks and garnered not only what Metacritic called ‘universal acclaim’, but a good deal of the set list.

The hiatus taken by the band for several years was broken by a few phone calls in 2012 which brought Malo on guitar/lead vocals, multi-instrumentalist Robert Reynolds, drummer Paul Deakin, Eddie Perez (Connie Smith, Jim Lauderdale, Joe Ely) on guitar and Jerry Dale McFadden on keys (who had done session work with the band, but hadn’t consistently toured until now) literally running to the studio and recording not 10 minutes after they arrived. After 8 years of not even speaking, the band came together and the magic happened. These sessions became In Time and rose to number 8 on the US Country charts.

Raul Malo blew everyone away. His vocals were dead on and his energy was incredible and able to move from lonesome to rockabilly to desire easily…effortlessly. I was a fan before, but I’m sold more than ever. His songwriting skills haven’t suffered either.

Besides the regular 5 members, the band included a 4 piece horn section, complete with fancy synchronized dance steps. Also included in the backline was an upright bass and a very talented accordionist who doubled on percussion. There was a lotta music coming off that stage!

Needless to say I can understand the rabid fans I met and well, just put me down right now for the next one. See you there!

Setlist

Tell Me Why

Things You Said To Me

Back In Your Arms

All Over Again

Pretend

There Goes My Heart

Here Comes The Rain

Sinners and Saints

Missing You

Hell To Paradise

Every Little Thing

Fall Apart

Dance In The Moonlight

As Long As There’s Loving Tonight

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Acoustic/Acoustic (This was the time to pee)

Oh What A Thrill

I’ve Got This Feeling

Crying Shame

Dance The Night Away

Save A Prayer

I Said I Love You

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All That Heaven Will Allow

Sway

Come Unto Me

Bring Me Down