Saw Steve Winwood and band last night at Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut, USA.  I'll start with a gripe and then move on to the good stuff: the show was too  darn short! About an hour and forty-five minutes by my watch. I was hoping for  about two and a half. But overall the concert was great, better than my only other Winwood show in Fall 2006 (which was great as well) and I was sitting  about 30 feet at most from him there and about 15 rows back last night.

It's not often the highlight of a concert by a guy who's been in the business  for 45 years is a song off his newest album but "Dirty City" was the highlight. I know that Clapton's on the album version, but after seeing Steve tear through  the solo at the end on his sea green guitar, I'm not sure the Eric was necessary. Actually, I'm not even sure which part he plays.

The other  two new songs he played were also better than the album versions, especially  "Hungry Man" which I don't particularly like on the CD. But it was great to hear  sax-player Paul Booth and guitarist Jose Neto trade licks on that one.

Another highlight of the concert was "Light Up Or Leave Me Alone". I don't particularly like this track on the original "Low Spark" album, but live it's always great. Each of Steve's four band mates takes a solo. The only one lacking was the drum solo. Bongos were great though.

Aside from the length of the show, I found the song "Low Spark" to be disappointing. Worst  rendition I've heard. And short too. Kind of petered out after about 10 minutes.  Or at least it seemed that way. I expected some fireworks on sax from Paul, but nothing really happened there. "Higher Love" also felt a little sloppy but  that's never been one of my favorites anyway.

As far as surprises go,  there were two for me. Definitely did not expect him (them?) to open up with  Spencer Davis Group's "I'm A Man" (the "Gimme Some Lovin' closer seems to be a given live. And I was also surprised to hear "Empty Pages". Yes, it's a Traffic  classic, but I can't remember ever hearing a live version of it though I'm sure it was done during the "Barleycorn" era.

This current band of Steve's is  TIGHT but not afraid to jam. They really need to release a live album from this group. One was promised, oh about 4 years, but nothing ever became of it. Shades of Traffic Live 1970 and Traffic Live 1975 all over again I suppose.

Complete set list (from memory is as follows so it's possible I forgot some):

I'm A Man
Hungry Man
Can't Find My Way Home (a crowd  favorite)
Dirty City
Pearly Queen
At Times We Do Forget
Light Up Or  Leave Me Alone
The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys
Empty Pages
Higher Love
---
Dear Mr. Fantasy
Gimme Some Lovin'

Review by K T Bourke.