Considering how much they tour, you’d think that this Hall & Oates fan would’ve seen them at least once by now. Nope. In a way I’m glad I waited because Jiffy Lube Live was a great venue for this show. Way bigger than Wolf Trap and the seating is tiered in such a way that there are no bad views. There is only bad parking. But I digress.
They opened with “Maneater,” and Mr. Causal rocked the saxophone. The crowd was on their feet singing along. “Out of Touch” followed, and a few songs into their set they slowed things down with a cover of “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” by The Righteous Brothers, another very successful rock duo. As great as they sounded, and as much poppy, vibrant richness as they added to it, it was my least favorite moment of their set. I still see greasy thetan Tom Cruise in Top Gun when I hear it.
Fortunately they quickly turned things around with “Las Vegas Turnaround” and “She’s Gone.” Daryl Hall commanded the stage solo with “Wait For Me,” the second quiet moment of the night. It’s a great showcase for his voice. Could Axl Rose belt out that song? No.
The show could have been a rote evening of the band’s standards but a variety of new arrangements kept them fresh. “I Can’t Go for That,” the last song of their set, meandered into a super groovy 8-minute or so instrumental. It was delicious.
Of course the crowd wanted more and so two encores of their number one hits followed. I stood at the back of the top-tier of seats so I could dance and observe. A bro love fest unfolded before me. A black guy on one side of the aisle and a white guy on the other side found each other in the middle. They danced, grooved, hi-fived, hugged, and took photos with each other. It was adorable. Go see Hall & Oates live. They do not disappoint.
