Before I get to the concert, there’s a story behind this one. The majority of concerts that Eric and I attended over the past few years were with pretty good seats purchased well in advance. This time I purchased this ticket (for row h!) exactly 5 minutes before Jack took the stage! After not finding anyone to go with, I decided at about 6:50 pm (10 minutes before the opener started) to get to this show as fast as possible, I just couldn’t miss Jack in Michigan again! Especially after the great new CD. So I’m going along fine until 8 pm hits and I get stuck in the wall of DTE traffic. Long story short, I just made it to my seat and 2 minutes later the lights went down. Jack walked out and told us that we didn’t need to stand up. With that, he jumped into “You and Your Heart” and we were off.
Somehow, the concert gods were with me as I fought my way through DTE traffic and made it to this show. Let me tell you, it was well worth it. After opening with his hit single and “If I Had Eyes”, Jack said he’d play “Upside Down” for the kids and parents who had to take them home early. The first part of the concert kept going with a few more songs, some of them from the new CD. Then he brought out a guy from the ALO, the opener band who signed on to Jack’s record label. He played slide guitar to a few songs including “Flake”. Jack then brought out his Hawaiian friend Paula, and she provided vocals for one of my favorite songs on the new CD, “Turn Your Love”. During this two hour set, Jack didn’t do much talking except to dedicate a few songs to certain people like his wife, or daughter. He continued on with other hits like “Banana Pancakes”, “Bubble Toes”, Sitting, Waiting, Wishing”, and then brought G Love (another opener) out for some harmonica and vocals on a song that Jack recorded called “Rodeo Clowns”. Then he helped us sing along to one of my favorite songs on Jack’s new CD called “At or With Me”.
After all of that, we were treated to just Jack and his acoustic for 4 or 5 songs, including “Angel” for his wife. He then brought all of his friends, including the opening band members, and the night ended with a great version of “Better Together”. What an incredible show! Nothing over the top, no extended rock endings or jumping around, but it was Jack at his best for a few hours. You can’t ask for more than that. Overall, I’m very happy to write that I’ve finally seen one of my favorite artists after almost letting this great night slip by.
-PK
