The last time I saw Richard Marx, he was the featured performer, but we attended that 1990 Radio City concert to see the opening act, a reunited original lineup of Poco touring in support of its “Legacy” recording.  This time Marx instead served as the warmup for another fave, Rod Stewart, this time at the Jones Beach Theatre, July 31.  No offense to the talented Marx who performed well 36 years apart, but his strong performance either evening mattered not to this commentator.  And for me, it was all about Rod the Mod.  

Rod was in good form and, more importantly, good voice.  When he announced a special guest, I wrongly anticipated his mate, former bandmate in both the Jeff Beck Group and The Face, current Rolling Stone guitarist Ron Wood.  In fact, Little Steven (Van Zandt) joined Rod for his Faces hit, “Stay With Me” and Sam Cooke’s “Having A Party.”  Those tunes and “Maggie May” and his excellent cover (originally performed in studio with Jeff Beck) of Curtis Mayfield’s great song, “People Get Ready.”

I really enjoyed all of Rod’s work with The Faces especially “Long Player” (which features the best version of Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed” -- I said as much to Beatles fan Vincent Russo who with wife Susan, hosted Shelly and I that eve.) and gave title to this blog and his early solo recordings including “Gasoline Alley,” “Every Picture Tells A Story,” and “Smiler.”  I’d not have been upset if the setlist included more tunes from those amazing recordings.

My take away was this show — as was the previous concerts we saw at Jones Beach and to celebrate our anniversary at Mohegan Sun — was well suited for a cabaret-like Las Vegas residency, not a knock, just an observation.  That said, I’d guess the overwhelming number of concert attendees were familiar with most of that night’s set and likely heard none of all of such tunes as “Bad n Ruin” and “Had Me A Real Good Time.”  

Special thank you to the Russos for the invitation.

Check out the set lists:

Rod Stewart:

1. Infatuation 
2. It's a Heartache (Bonnie Tyler cover) 
3. Tonight I'm Yours (Don't Hurt Me) 
4. Some Guys Have All the Luck (The Persuaders cover) 
5. Hot Legs
6. It Takes Two (Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston cover)
7. Forever Young 
8. The First Cut Is the Deepest 
   (Cat Stevens cover) 
9. Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright) 
10. Maggie May 
11. I'd Rather Go Blind (Etta James cover) with Little Steven
12. Stay With Me (Faces song) with Little Steven
13. Having A Party (Sam Cooke cover) with Little Steven
14. Rhythm of My Heart (Marc Jordan cover) dedicated to Zelenskyy & Ukraine
15. Jolene (Dolly Parton cover) (Performed by backup singers) 
16. People Get Ready (The Impressions cover) 
17. If You Don't Know Me by Now 
    (Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes cover) 
18. Have I Told You Lately (Van Morrison cover) 
19. Proud Mary (Creedence Clearwater Revival cover) (Performed by the backup singers) 
20. Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?
    Encore:
21. Love Train (The O’Jays cover)

Richard Marx:

1. Endless Summer Nights 
2. Satisfied 
3. Angelia 
4. Magic Hour 
5. Should've Known Better 
6. Right Here Waiting