Gunter Theatre - Peace Center

I have seen her in Chicago and this show, shows what a true artist she is, a complete bad ass playing some of the best Delta blues around.

Jim Messina: 10/12/22 “Tonight was my first time seeing either Loggins or Messina LIVE and there may not have been a more suitable venue than Peace Center’s Gunter Theatre with an intimate seating capacity of 439. The theater a quarter sized replica of the main concert hall comes complete with the same superb acoustics —there wasn’t a word or note one couldn’t make out. Securing my 3rd row seats the first day of sale I guaranteed a close up view of the half-duo’s performance. It was Jim’s first date of a nineteen date tour so there was no setlist adding to the element of surprise. Jim’s guitar (beginning at the age of five) and vocals haven’t diminished a bit despite a run-in with Covid causing him to postpone an earlier scheduled reunion performance this year with Kenny Loggins at the Hollywood Bowl. The stage set up (stage L to R) consisted of: bass, drums, Messina’s mic in front center, a percussion and horns combo, keys. Jim took the stage precisely at 7:30 for a 2 hour (including an intermission) / 15 song set. ‘We’re going to do some songs you know, and hopefully I do’, Jim’s opening remark clearly identified himself on the same level as the well seasoned crowd. The setlist was 20 million seller Loggins and Messina heavy with a total of 11 of the duo songs! Jim 74 and entirely accomplished prior to his L&M days dipped into his Buffalo Springfield years for ‘Kind Woman’, and back to Poco for ‘You Better Think Twice’ and ‘Follow Your Dreams’ dedicated to Rusty Young. ‘Poo Corner’ and ‘Danny’s Song’ were early set favorites, songs two and three respectively. Messina exhibited multiple guitar playing styles, fingerpicking, jazz runs, and classic country riffs trading out acoustics for electrics and back again all evening long. On ’74’s Be Free’ he played mandolin. Regarding his on stage playing, Jim referred to it as merely a practicing opportunity for future projects. Aside from his musical abilities, Jim showed himself a story teller introducing most songs with applicable background story lines. Multiple times he referred to himself as only fifty-nine years of age, each time bringing smiles and a round of laughter from the audience. His hand picked band were simply an amazing conglomerate of individuals. Prior to the show the woman running the merch table told me how amazing the band compiled in Nashville was, ‘You have to hear them play to believe it’. Steve Nieves on the music scene since ’84 played both soprano and alto sax, flute, and in addition every hand percussion instrument imaginable. There were congas, hand whistles, a recorder, triangle, tambourine, shakers, and a number of things I honestly don’t know the names of. Sax solos on two of the songs found him crouching down with his horn belting out in the faces of audience members as he strutted up and down the front edge of the stage. Of note also was Jack Bruno on drums who had been in Joe Cocker’s band and has toured with greats such as Tina Turner. Ending the regular set with an extended rendition of 1972’s ‘Angry Eyes’ the band showcased each member’s musicianship with superbly done individual solos. The encore followed with ‘You Need A Man’ and ‘Your Mama Don’t Dance’, and yes a number of us grandmama’s and grandaddy’s danced and rock ’n rolled along. For the folks who would normally stick around in hopes of a meet and greet at the merch area, Jim invited them for an audience/performer Q&A in the theater calling the 100 or so of us all the way up front. For the next 40 minutes seated on stage he answered every question asked, some personal, some specific to tours, instruments, albums, individuals, and bands he played in. All the while you could hear the band and crew in pack up and roll out mode getting ready for the next evening’s show in Winston-Salem. It was something amazing I had never experienced before. Folks these early 70’s songs are timeless and worthy of experiencing LIVE should your town appear somewhere on Jim’s list of upcoming performances!” Review and photo by DAve. (Concert # 712)