The Edwin McCain Trio included Larry Chaney on lead guitar and Craig Shields on saxophone. Ryan Hommel served as their opening act, and was able to warm up the stage for McCain with his velvet vocals and acoustic guitar.
McCain began his show with “Sober,” where he displayed his dynamic range and powerhouse vocals. “We get to start out with the topic of alcohol. Let’s get it out of the way first,” McCain said.
He continued with a laid-back performance of “Gramercy Park Hotel,” which had a neat groove to it. “How’s it going?” he asked the Bay Shore audience, prior to telling them about his third grade child needing to learn 13 spelling words each week, thus asking the crowd for parenting advice.
It was followed by “Hope For Us,” as vibrant lights dimmed on the stage, and equally stunning was his live rendition of “I Could Not Ask For More.” “Thank God for that song,” McCain said, referring to the latter love ballad. He noted that the 45-year-old version of himself would not get along with the 25-year-old version of himself, since at the time he recorded the song, he did not want to be known for only singing wedding songs, but now, he couldn’t have been happier and subsequently noted that he enjoys hearing it while shopping in the middle of the aisle at Home Depot.
McCain continued to receive more good “parenting advice” from the audience members, and shared witty stories about his saxophone player, Shields, being a “cat lover,” which may not necessarily be the case.
“Walk With You” was yet another sultry and beautiful ballad in his set, and “Eight Miles from a Paved Road” was equally impressive, where a baby blue backdrop graced the stage. “Sign on the Door” showcased his wide range as an artist, and it featured an exceptional saxophone solo by Shields, while McCain simultaneously belted out the high notes.
He fulfilled an audience member’s request, and performed “Letter To My Mother,” which was an emotional vocal that left several fans in tears, prior to singing “Take Me,” where he hit the high notes effortlessly yet again, proving that he is one of the most underrated artists in contemporary music.
Just when one thought that McCain could not get any better, he sang a powerhouse version of his signature tune “I’ll Be,” and towards the end, he sang a few verses unplugged (without the microphone), and captivated the entire venue doing so.
The Verdict
Overall, Edwin McCain’s concert at YMCA Boulton Center in Bay Shore was sheer perfection. He and his band members displayed their tremendous talents throughout the evening. There were no gimmicks. Only a man with charisma and a voice that sends chills down one’s spine. He sang with a lot of heart, and his passion for his craft was evident. It is no wonder that his songs are standing the test of time, and modern singers such as Justin Bieber, Sara Evans and reigning American Idol winner Nick Fradiani are performing them at their shows. McCain garnered an A+ rating for a stellar live performance. Congratulations.
For more information on Edwin McCain and his tour dates, check out his official website.
