Port Washington, NY May 2, 2009

Set 1
It Doesn't Matter Anymore
Apache
The Water is Wide
Take Out Some Insurance
September in the Rain
Some Small Town
If I Had a Hummer
Before & After
All the Harvests
Rien Ne Va Plus
Yesterday's Gone
Willow Weep For Me
Dog House Blues

Set 2
Homeward Bound
Everyone's Gone to the Moon
Distant Shores
I'll Get Around To It (when and if I can)
Progress
Pipedream
The Memory Song
Tell You Something Else
Don't Look Back
You Are She
Purple Haze
Zanzibar Sunset
Summer Song
I'll Be Back
You Need Feet

It is hard for me to continue to write these reviews without over using superlatives. Or continuing to point out Chad's musicianship, Jeremy's vocals, the harmonies that still continue to strengthen, the wonderful surprises in the set list. But, since these are the gentlemen that put the words and music to the romance of my teenage years, I continue to try :).

So, yes, this was probably my favorite of the four shows I've seen over the past two years. Although Chatham, NJ had it's points for intimacy, overall sound, and my introduction to Some Small Town, the show in Port Washington had all of the above plus Progress, Pipedream, the acoustic debut of Don't Look Back first heard in the 80's on a British Invasion tour (and their Harrah's In Concert CD), and the return of Everyone's Gone to the Moon. And a little three minute gem that brought me back full circle to the reason I paid attention to them in the first place, The Water is Wide. This song has replaced Gordon Lightfoot's Early Morning Rain in the set as an example of the material they were doing when they were discovered by John Barry, and their version is an instant and even mind jolting reminder of the music in my life before I Want To Hold Your Hand. We've heard this by Dylan, the Kingston Trio, Fred Neil (another great version from his debut LP Bleeker & MacDougal) and many others, and it would be no surprise that they would cover it themselves in the early 60's. The performance last night was one of simple beauty, and of course the harmonies made this song their own. I hope it stays in the set list so you all can hear the beauty as I did.

As you can see from the set lists, the favorites missing from Mohegan Sun have returned, and You Are She remains a personal and crowd favorite. The inclusion of Progress and Pipedream from their last two LP's was really welcome, adding at least some reference to their ability at social commentary that often gets neglected in favor of the more popular hit singles.

The theater was a perfect setting for them, not a bad seat seat in the house. I've often said how personable and gratious they are with their fans, but last night was a first for me in the number of sincere and heartfelt hugs I witnessed. That said, and considering the line in the meet and greet session, I think there were more long time fans here than at Mohegan Sun, if that means anything. At the same time, the crowd seemed rather younger than the casino crowd, though that's just an observation.

My friend Lenny (who's a long time friend and fan of C&J) remarked that he couldn't understand how someone might come to a show and simply not become an immediate fan. But of course, he didn't have to tell me :).

Hello to Caswell (hope the headache got better), Bonnie, Deb, Nancy, and Lenny. A wonderful night, well spent in music and friendship. And looking forward to the next show down the line.