They opened for Grammy-winning country and southern rock star Charlie Daniels, who is best known for “The Devil Went Down To Georgia.”
“First of all, could I have the house lights on?” Marshall Tucker Band lead singer Doug Gray asked. “How ya’ll doing tonight?”
Gray noted that tonight is going to be a special show, especially since they are sharing the stage with Charlie Daniels. “Thank God we’re up here. It’s a special night to be with Charlie,” Gray added.
The Marshall Tucker Band began their set with “This Ol’ Cowboy,” which featured neat flute instrumentation from Marcus James Henderson and tambourine from Gray.
An iconic front-man, Gray shared that “Dog Eat Dog World” is one of his favorite songs to do live. “Ya’ll ready?” he asked, and Chris Hicks sang lead on the tune, while incorporating it as a crowd sing-along towards the end. “How ya’ll feeling?” Hicks asked, mid-way through the song.
Gray went on to introduce “Desert Skies” as a song that they don’t normally do, and it is 37 years old. They picked up the pace with the catchy classic “Fire on the Mountain,” and Hicks sang lead vocals on “Midnight Promises,” while showcasing his wide and impressive vocal range.
Their version of “Take The Highway,” which featured Marcus James Henderson on lead vocals and an outstanding drum solo from B.B. Borden, garnered them a lengthy standing ovation from the Westbury crowd. The remaining band members shined on backing vocals.
“Thank you for being our friends for 44 years,” Gray graciously told his Long Island fans.
Marshall Tucker Band closed the set with their signature song “Can’t You See,” which emerged as another fan-favorite.
The Verdict
Overall, Marshall Tucker Band was exceptional at the NYCB Theatre at Westbury, while opening for Charlie Daniels. They are the heart and soul of southern rock music, and tireless musicians. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will be announcing its nominees for its Class of 2016 in the next few weeks, and this show is a substantial indication that The Marshall Tucker Band ought to finally make that short-list, if there is any justice in the musical world. They are living legends and true road warriors that perform hundreds of shows throughout the country all year long. The fact that their concerts are always sold-out speaks volumes of the love and appreciation they receive from their fans, and their longevity in the music industry. Their performance at Westbury garnered 5 out of 5 stars.
