Photos and Review by Jim LaValley
Galleries: Journey, Doobie Brothers, Dave Mason
Journey’s “San Francisco Fest 2016 Tour” stopped by the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, MA on a rainy night with a packed bill featuring Dave Mason, Doobie Brothers, and Journey. The crowd was a little unique because there were some baby boomers there to see Dave Mason and the Doobie Brothers, but there is also a new generation of fans that have gravitated towards Journey. So there were quite a few young fans and women there for the Journey ballads.
First up, Hall of Famer – Dave Mason who is from our own Worcester, MA. He co-founded Traffic with Steve Winwood, played and recorded with many greats like Paul McCartney, George Harrison, the Rolling Stones, Jim Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Michael Jackson, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Steve Winwood, Fleetwood Mac, and others.
Dave Mason kicked off the night with “Only You Know and I Know” from 1970 with his soothing and talented voice along with his tight band, then went right into the classic Traffic hit “Rock ‘N’ Roll Stew” which had that early 70s rock and roll sound. His set was filled with other classic Traffic hits and then he finished up the night with a Bob Dylan cover of “All Along the Watchtower”, which was incredible. He definitely put his own spin on it….and it worked.
Dave Mason’s setlist included:
- Only You Know and I Know
- Rock and Roll Stew (Traffic song)
- The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys (Traffic song)
- We Just Disagree
- Dear Mr. Fantasy (Traffic song)
- Feelin’ Alright (Traffic song)
- All Along the Watchtower (Bob Dylan cover)
Next up, the Grammy Award-winning Doobie Brothers who have sold millions of albums throughout their career. They started the set with “Jesus Is Just Alright” and continued with their harmonic vocals throughout the night. Their music also brings back a lot of memories from the 70’s with their original southern rock sound.
Their setlist contained all their hits which made you sing along with most of their anthem songs such as “Black Water” – “I’d like to hear some funky Dixieland Pretty mama come and take me by the hand” and “Listen to the Music”, which is what they closed the set with. Great music, great sound, great lyrics.
Doobie Brothers setlist:
- Jesus Is Just Alright (The Art Reynolds Singers cover)
- Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While)
- Another Park, Another Sunday
- Sweet Maxine
- Eyes of Silver
- Spirit
- Clear as the Driven Snow
- Takin’ It to the Streets
- The Doctor
- Black Water
- Long Train Runnin’
- China Grove
Encore:
- Listen to the Music
Now up was the headliner, Journey. They opened with their chart topping hit from the 80’s “Separate Ways” that started the night with a full set of classics that sounded just like they did when I saw them back in 1986 with Steve Perry on vocals. Arnel Pineda has accurately brought to life the Journey songs that we all remembered. He also brings excitement and pizazz to the band with all of his physical activity. Not only does Arnel bob-and-weave around band mates as he runs around stage, but he also has a bit of David Lee Roth style of jumping, spinning, and throwing his microphone up in the air.
Neal Schon jammed out the guitar solos with pleasure and a smile, he sounded great. The whole band was tight and it was like listening to a classic countdown of 80’s hits.
Journey’s band lineup consisted of Neal Schon (founder), Ross Valory (co-founder), Jonathan Cain & Arnel Pineda (longtime members) and back for the first time since 1998 was Steve “Machine Gun” Smith on drums.
Journey pounded out hit after hit from “Stone in Love” to “Open Arms” to “Faithfully” where the crowd lit their lighters/cellphone that added different elements to the mood of the songs. The show also included a couple of guitar solos, keyboard solo, and an awesome drum solo. They ended the night with “Don’t Stop Believing” and then “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’”, which was spot on.
Great night, great variety of music, and excellent execution by all the bands.
Journey Setlist:
- Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)Be Good to Yourself
- Be Good to Yourself
- Only the Young
- Stone in Love
- Any Way You Want It
- Lights
- Open Arms
- Who’s Crying Now
- Escape
- Wheel in the Sky
- Faithfully
- Don’t Stop Believin’
Encore:
- Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’