The crowd at Wolf Trap certainly got its money’s worth on Thursday
evening, as Mavis Staples started things off for 45 minutes, followed by just
over two hours by Lovett and crew. On a night that was hotter and stuffier than
I expected, Mavis was the only performer who wasn’t wearing a suit.
Staples’ energetic opening set got a rousing reception as the attendees
gradually filtered into their seats, with a standing ovation for “We Get By”
midway through. Other highlights included two Staples Singers hits (“If You're
Ready (Come Go With Me)” and “Touch A Hand”), a cover of Talking Heads’ “Slippery People”, and her current single, “Change”.
For the most part, Lovett’s set followed its usual pattern, with a
spotlight song each for guitarist Keith Sewell and fiddler Luke Bulla, a
four-song break for the band in the middle, Francine Reed doing “Wild Women
Don't Have the Blues”, and several of his best-known songs saved for the end.
He did throw one curve, as he, Bulla, and Sewell started off by harmonizing on “Once
Is Enough” before the traditional “Blues Walk” opener. Highlights, in addition
to the usual suspects, included the multiple solos on “My Baby Don’t Tolerate”
and the pensive ballads “North Dakota” and “Twelfth Of June”.
Setlist (Staples)
Setlist (Lovett)
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