Finally.

I took in my first live show of 2023.  This month.  Last weekend.  Certainly worth the wait.  Some of my faves no longer grace the earth and some lack the ability to perform, let alone tour.  So I was excited as the prospect of seeing and hearing one of my favorites singer-songwriters, founding member of two iconic bands and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Richie Furay.  The concert was at the South Orange Performing Arts Center, May 20.

He played a fair sample of songs dating back to his days with Buffalo Springfield through his time with Poco and the Souther Hillman Furay Band and his later solo careers.  The band included his daughter Jesse Lynch, Jack Jeckot on keys, Dan Skarda on acoustic guitar, Marc Intravaia and Jim Soldi on electric guitars, Rick Nash one bass and Larry Grano on drums.

What made the concert really special was the inclusion of two great songs -- and my faves -- from his 1978 solo LP, Dance A Little Light.  I do not recall Richie ever performing Someone Who Cares.  I saw him perform Stand Your Guard at three shows that summer (Dr. Pepper in Central Park, Paramount in Asbury Park, Calderone In Hempstead).  Last weekend's version was a very special rendition of which I recorded a snippet on my iPhone.  I shared it with Richie's manager, David Stone who posted it to Richie's various Facebook pages.

Certain songs when I hear put a smile on my file; an even bigger smile when performed live.  And those two were were not the only tunes.

Check out the setlist:

On The Way Home (Buffalo Springfield song)

Picking’ Up The Pieces (Poco Song)

We Were The Dreamers

I Still Have Dreams

A Child’s Claim to Fame (Buffalo Springfield song also performed by Poco)

Good Time Boy (Buffalo Springfield song; Larry Grano vocal)

Hand In Hand

Kind Woman  (Buffalo Springfield song also performed by Poco)

Satisfied (Jesse Lynch vocal)

Wake Up My Soul

Someone Who Cares

Chalk

Wild for You (Jesse Lynch vocal, Bonnie Raitt cover)

Believe Me (Souther Hillman Furay Band song)

Someday

America, America

Encores:

Stand Your Guard

I’ve Got A Reason (solo)

Overflow

A Good Feelin’ to Know (Poco Song)

Shows like Richie's last weekend exemplify why live shows remain so special.