The often used phrase of “third time is a charm” worked for me recently when I caught the Counting Crows in Houston.  Playing at one of my favorite venues, Bayou Music Center, they came to town supporting their soon to be released seventh album called ‘Somewhere Under Wonderland’.    It had been since 2009 since I’d seen them last and at least 10 years before that gig to total the other times I was in attendance.  The unknown throughout is always “which” Adam Duritz is coming to your town for thee evening. 

 The first AD I got was when he had begun to tire of doing big hit “Mr.Jones” and the crowd got surly because of it.  The second was the too chatty Duritz who dragged the show down flappin’ his gums about this and that.  Tonight he let his excellent band do ALL the talking for sure.  Spoken word was almost non-existent and the re-inventing of their music was front and center all thru the 2 hour set. 

The current line-up of Jim Bogios on drums, David Bryson on guitar, Charlie Gillingham on show stopper accordian and keys, David Immergluck on guitar and pedal steel, Millard Powers on bass and David Vickrey seemed on a mission to show this was no 90’s re-visit type of gig, but more like we’re still here folks announcement.

Jumping out of the gate with a touching version of “Round Here” intertwined with new one “Palisades Park” told me I was in for surprises all night of a good kind.  Sprinkling in an ample share of new ones like country rocker with a dash of zydeco “Cover Up the Sun” ,  “God of Ocean Tides” which had an early career CC feel and heavy guitar laden “Scarecrow” showed this band going into a harder jammin’ mode more so than ever. 

I totally can see where Duritz is coming from when he said recently: “I don’t want to get sick of my own songs. I feel I owe people a good performance, but you don’t owe them a setlist.”    Amen brother.  

The tune from old catalog that got it going was “Omaha” complete with Gillingham’s stellar accordian.  Who would of thought that would be a highlight moment of a Counting Crows show?!  “Mercury” also countinued the guitar assault that got this crowd groovin’.   All in all I was quite pleased by the showmanship and leadership Duritz  displayed this night.  Whether he’s matured, took his meds or whatever, the major out of control mop head scored big time with this reviewer.  You can bet there will a next time to see if the band continues their winning ways.

Speaking of flashbacks, an unknown band for me was Toad The Wet Sprocket who has been on a 16 year shutdown and opened this show.  The lead singer, Glen Phililips, looked like he was in his twenties instead of 40’s and the crowd seemed to enjoy the nostalgia of the 90’s hits “Good Intentions” and  “AllI Want”.  They tried to throw out some new ones and it sounded okay really.  A reunion album is in the works and they also scored a simulcast over Yahoo at the Dallas gig recently.

 Lastly before I sign off I must say that THIS crowd is an example of the underlying horrible trend that I’m seeing at too many shows these days.  The “lost generation” of people aged 30-45 are so socially retarded that taking “selfies” (HATE that term) all night long takes over more than sitting and enjoying performers on the damn stage.  Holding their damn cell phones up to “record and snap” parts of the show is so stupid and distracting to no end.   This “me first” crap drives me crazy and makes want to ask each and every one of these knucleheads what they actually experience at concerts and why do they come in the first place..Sorry but needed to do that. 

 Support your venues and watch and enjoy please!