News

July 31, 2009

IN CONCERT: Daryl Hall & John Oates

WHEN/WHERE: 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs

THE SHORT WORD: The rock-and-soul sound of Daryl Hall & John Oates filled the air Thursday night as the celebrated duo sang mostly acoustic-guitar driven reworkings of its biggest hits. Nearly all of the songs were looser and more stretched out vocally and musically than their recorded counterparts, and were all the better for the changes. Although Hall struggled at times with the upper register of his voice, the vocal blend between the two (and up to four members of the superb backing band) was as good as ever. Long-time band members Tom “T-Bone” Wolk (guitar) and Charles DeChant (saxophone) added great flavor with splendid solos throughout the show.

THE HIGHLIGHTS: Hall & Oates played great versions of all six of their No. 1 hits including opening number “Maneater,” “Out Of Touch” and main-set closers “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)” and “Rich Girl.” The encore of “You Make My Dreams” and chart toppers “Kiss On My List” and “Private Eyes” had most of the audience on its feet, dancing and singing along. Other standouts included fan favorites “Sara Smile” and “She’s Gone.”

THE SURPRISES: Mixed in nicely with the big hits were lesser-known numbers like the Oates-led “Las Vegas Turnaround (The Stewardess Song)” from 1973’s “Abandoned Luncheonette” and “It’s Uncanny” from what Hall called, “an obscure album” (1977’s “No Goodbyes”). It was also great to hear 1980’s “How Does It Feel To Be Back” again.

FUN FACTS: Hall & Oates are the most successful duo of all time, placing 35 songs in the Hot 100 between 1974 and 2005, including the six number ones. They hit the top of the Adult Contemporary chart twice in the past decade with 2002’s “Do It For Love” and a 2006 version of Christmas standard “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear.” The National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM) awarded the duo with the chairman’s award for sustained creative achievement at the organization’s convention in June.

THE CROWD: A Mohegan Sun official estimated the crowd at 4,000.

UP NEXT: The next Hall & Oates show is tonight at the Borgata in Atlantic City. Next show at Pocono Downs is “Bowzer’s Ultimate Doo-Wop Party” on Sunday, Aug. 9.

-Brad Patton

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