If you weren’t at the Katharine Hepburn Theater on March 5th, 2024 or at the Narrows Center for the Arts on March 8, 2024 or any of his New England shows you were in the wrong places. Jim Messina and his band were jamming, and the crowds ate up every note.
I can hardly find words to describe how great Jim Messina and his band sound. Like fine wine, better with age just doesn’t cut it. It is like an entire wine cellar of stellar wines and the audience gulped it down.
The band was happy, energetic and man do they mesh. When Messina put together this group of exceptional artists he chose the cream of the crop. Joining him was Steve Nieves on Saxaphone, Woodwinds and Percussion, Ben King on Bass, Jim Frazier on Keyboard and Jack Bruno on Drums.
Messina and the band played a selection of tunes from his years with Poco, Loggins and Messina and his solo career. He has put out so many great songs over the years, paring the selection down and giving the crowd something to please everyone must be quite a task but they achieve it well.
As a producer as well as songwriter, musician and singer Jim Messina has an incredible ability to hand pick a band that vocally as well as instrumentally gel. You can tell many hours are spent behind the scenes making sure the audience is given a night to remember, from the sound levels to the harmonies, everything is just as it should be.
Messina is not an artist that rests on his laurels and has purposely chosen venues like The Kate in Old Saybrook, CT and The Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River, MA. Many of the places they are playing let the audience get up close and really interact with the band. This is an extra plus since they have a great rapport with each other and the audience. It’s clear that hours of time are spent making sure the audience gets a memorable performance.
After the Narrows Center for the Arts show Messina held about a 45 minute question and answer session with his audience who chose to stay and speak with him. Many got the chance to personally ask questions about his career in music and it was a big hit. This was started during the post Covid tours and continues from time to time at some venues.
For those of you who may not have seen him in person I encourage you to go if they are in your area. You will have a night of excellent music by outstanding artists.
For more information on Jim Messina and future tour dates visit Jim Messina’s site.
Review by Donna Erichsen
Photos by George Bekris
Setlist:
Thinking of You
Watching the River Run
House at Pooh Corner
Danny’s Song
Follow Your Dreams
Mexican Minutes
You Better Think Twice
Listen to a Country Song / Holiday Hotel
Your Mama Don’t Dance
Break The Chain
New and Different Way
Lovin’ You Every Minute
Trilogy: Lovin’ Me/To Make a Woman Feel Wanted/Peace of Mind
Be Free
Changes
Angry Eyes
Encore
She’s Gotta Rock
You Need a Man
