Foghat
Ridgefield Playhouse
Ridgefield, Connecticut
October 10, 2010
Foghat has been doing the business for close to 40 years now and there are absolutely no signs of easing up on the pedal. Roger Earl, the last of the original members, has earned iconic status in my book. His dogged believe in Foghat has continually given the band new legs over the years, and with the deaths of Lonesome Dave and Rod Price, who thought that could ever happen. The sustainability of Foghat is down to stellar music and musicians with an overt passion for their craft. That’s where Bryan Bassett and Charlie Huhn come in. They have kept the Foghat train on the proverbial rails.
And at the Ridgefield Playhouse, it was evident that there’s a lot of punch left. They’ve been touring on their new blues release, “Last Train Home,” and they mixed in a couple newies, which more than stood proudly alongside the hits. The hits? How about “My Babe,” “Fool for the City”, I just wanna make Love to you,” “Drivin’ Wheel,” “Home in my Hand,” and “Stone Blue.” “Needle and Spoon” and “Rollin’ and Tumblin” from “Last Train Home” sounded so good live, but it was Elmore James’ “Shake your Moneymaker” that totally stole the show. Huhn’s voice and Bassett’s slide took the song into the stratosphere. Elmore would have been proud!
Of course, a hyper “Slow Ride” finished the show off properly with Earl revving it up to a manic climax. Lonesome Dave and Rod Price, I imagine, are smiling from above!
