The tale is legendary: a young Jon Landau saw a young Bruce Springsteen perform live and proclaimed the future of rock and roll. Based on his performance this past Saturday in Boston, Will Hoge is staking his claim as the successor to the throne.
Over the course of a two hour show, Hoge demonstrated the stamina and showmanship for which Springsteen has always been known. Also thrown into the mix were plenty of Faces-style blues-rock swagger and a touch of boogie in the Little Feat tradition.
The set list drew from across Hoge’s exceptional catalog, plus several choice covers. The crack band drove the crowd with rocking numbers like “Secondhand Heart†but proved equally adept with acoustic ballads such as “Somebody Else’s Baby”. Show highlights included the moving ballad “Carousel,†which Hoge delivered sans microphone from atop the bar, and the driving “Sweet Magdeline”, which segued into a thrashing version of the Beatles’ “Helter Skelter.” The band also previewed several songs from their forthcoming album, including the rollicking “Hearts are Gonna Roll,” with not a bad track in the bunch.
The finale saw openers The Trews – who also delivered a powerhouse rock and roll performance – join Hoge and company on the stage. A rock and roll celebration ensued with the combined ten musicians powering through the Band’s “The Weight†followed by Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World.†And the crowd was certainly rocking.
(Will Hoge with special guests The Trews played The Paradise Lounge, Boston on 10 December 2005.)
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.