Review: Los Lobos

For a band as accomplished as Los Lobos, the reach from Jimi Hendrix and Willie Dixon to Richard Thompson and Ritchie Valens is a small one. The gulf between the lip of the stage and the front row, however, can be trickier to navigate.

The sextet’s 16-song, two-hour set was a celebration of all forms of music from New Orleans soul to Spanish mariachi. However, bottom-heavy sound and fixed seating proved nearly insurmountable for the band during the latest entry in the "Cyprus Avenue Live at the Folly Theater" on Sunday night.

The show never completely got off the ground, but it had its share of inspired moments. “Chuco’s Cumbia” featured a dirty Latin groove, while a medley of “The Neighborhood” and “Wang Dang Doodle” bridged the South Side of Chicago to East Los Angeles. The first set ended with a cover of Richard Thompson’s “Shoot Out the Lights” anchored by a thunderous backbeat.

After a 25-minute break, the band returned with a second set guaranteed to knock the yawn out of any weary political supporters (there were plenty of T-shirts from Saturday’s rally throughout the crowd). The one-two of “Come On Let’s Go” and “Don’t Worry Baby” got people involved, if not on their feet. The band traded 88 piano keys for 22 guitar strings on their cover of Fats Domino’s “The Fat Man,” which included a shuffling solo from drummer Cougar Estrada.

The high point of the night was a surprise cover of Jimi Hendrix’ “Little Wing.” Between David Hildago’s lead guitar and Cesar Rosas’ vocals, they not only nailed the song, but stretched it out and made it their own.

There were plenty of covers, but the band also touched on all phases of its career. While lesser bands make a career out of mining the same niche, Los Lobos were able to transition from the early rockabilly of “Shakin’ Shakin’ Shakes” to the more experimental “Kiko and the Lavender Moon,” and from the Spanish festivity of “Maria Christina” to the quiet introversion of “The Valley.”

The sound was muddy for most of the night and Steve Berlin suffered the brunt of it. His keyboards and woodwinds were often barely audible in the mix. The Folly is a wonderful venue for intimate shows -– recent performances by the Dave Brubeck Quartet and Randy Newman were sonically incredible -– but it is ill-suited for six amplified musicians.

The rigid seating and formal environment also inhibited the dancing and shaking Los Lobos’ music cries for. Toots and the Maytals, an earlier "Cyprus Avenue"/Folly booking, faced the same problem at its reggae concert last year. The younger crowd that turned out that night was less inhibited about dancing in the aisles.

Hildago finally coaxed people to their feet before “I Got Loaded,” and the band followed up with the one number guaranteed to keep everyone on their feet: “La Bamba.” After a brief encore break, the band picked up where they left off with a blistering “Good Morning Aztlan” and a frantic “Cumbia Raza” that featured another drum solo from Estrada and guitar solos from Louie Perez and Hildago. Just as the band and audience were hitting the mark, the band closed the set. It was a shame they had to stop. It felt like they were just getting started.

| Joel Francis, Special to The Star

Setlist: Short Side of Nothing, Chuco’s Cumbia, The Valley, Luz d Mi Vida, The Neighborhood/Wang Dang Doodle, Shakin’ Shakin’ Shakes, Shoot Out the Light (intermission) Maria Christina, Kiko and the Lavender Moon, Come On Let’s Go, Don’t Worry Baby, Little Wing, The Fat Man, I Got Loaded, La Bamba/Good Lovin’(encores) Good Morning Aztlan, Cumbia Raza

Comments

[pellboy]

Your review is dead-on. While I enjoyed the show (the 8th time I've seen them), I too had problems with the sound (very unfortunate for Mr. Berlin)and the stuffiness and set-up of the building did make it extremely difficult for the band to really engage the audience although they tried mightily.

Having said that, I certainly can't quibble with the setlist which was perfection and their "practice" run of 'Little Wing' makes me only wish that the Hendrix tribute concert was stopping in KC.

In an added note, the band signed memorabilia for fans after the show which was a nice, appreciated touch.

[sam i am]

I could not agree more with Tim's comments. Great atmosphere for a woodwind concerto, lousy for a band that likes to have a little fun. Hidalgo's guitar was so low in the mix it was hard to figure out who was playing what at times. Louie Perez seemed irritated--walked off the stage before the final song was even finished and never came back. The numerous cd sales pitches made us sad. A very disappointing evening all around.

[pellboy]

Also a bit disappointed that Bill Shapiro, although he did introduce the band, didn't have the Cypress Ave. info/Q&A opening that I was expecting before the shows that are part of this series.

[Joel Francis]

Since the band volunteered to sign merchadise after the show, I could handle the CD pitch. Judging from the line, a lot of fans took advantage of the opportunity to meet a great band.
I'm not sure why Shapiro didn't have more to say beforehand. I know Los Lobos are one of his favorite bands of all time. I was hoping future Cypress Avenue shows would be announced. I know Madeleine Peyroux goes onsale next month.

[Tim Finn]

Credit where due: Joel Francis did this review.

And as for the 'Cyprus Avenue' connection: Bill doesn't automatically do the Q&A before each show. I thought he did, and I kind of forced him into one before Randy Newman because I said he'd be doing one (and he hadn't planned on one.)

As for the folly: I remember seeing Morphine there many years ago and felt the same way: It's not a rock venue. Those old theaters dont' really need amplification ...

[Joel Francis]

Thanks, Tim.
When the show was announced I was hoping for an acoustic set. It would have sounded amazing and truly been something special.
Los Lobos working "muddy" is still better than what a lot of bands can offer.

[Bill Shapiro]

As the guy behind the Series I feel some response is needed to the review and the The Folly as a music venue.
The sound during the first set was muddy, at least in certain parts of the room. While our artist contract requires the band to do a sound check, Los Lobos shose to only have their manager, sound man and one band member meet that requirement. Fortunattely by the time the second set began it had been corrected and it sounded great as did the performance. The response from the house and the comments made to me by the band and audience members was consistently enthusiastic.
Tim's response about my preconcert audience chats was correct. I chose not to do one Sunday night because of the show's earlier start time. When I do them they are announced in our print adds as well as on Cyprus Avenue broadcasts.
Clearly the Folly is not a dance club and for those for whom the ability to so is integral to a satisfactory concert performance there is something lacking. But for those who yearn for a comfortable environment in which to have an intimate musical experience there is no better room in Kansas City. Every artist who has played the Series, including Los Lobos has gone out of their way to let us know that.

Bill Shapiro

[Tim Finn]

The Randy Newman and Jim White shows proved how ideal the Folly is for sit-down-and-listen shows. The sound both nights was perfect. Newman at one point even asked the sound guy to turn down his monitor ("I've heard these songs enough," he joked); that never happens.

But I just wrote a big piece on this: When the sound is off, it's usually not the room; it's usually the sound engineer. Larry Sells at the Uptown (a Proscenium theater) says he tells soundguys all the time: Under play it; turn it down; the room carries sound naturally. So does the Folly.

[Bill]

I have seen Los Lobos numerous times in various settings-festivals, clubs and theaters. I have seen them have an off night (like the show at Ameristar some years back) and I've seen them on fire. I thought the band on Sunday was very lackadaisical. David Hildago in particular, seemed distracted. I don't know if they were more interested in getting back stage to watch the baseball game, or they've just decided to coast in their old age. That said, I thought it was a good to OK show (hardly one of their best), and seemed a bit short-it sure didn't feel like a 2 hour set. But I'll see them again when they come to town and I appreciate Bill Shapiro and Cypress Avenue (and the Folly) for presenting a great American band.

[pellboy]

Bill S. and TF, thanks for clearing that up in regards to the CA series. I will definitely be on the lookout for future shows at the Folly because despite the very slight issues I had with Sunday night's show, it is indeed an outstanding venue and a treasure for this city.