His dynamic vocal performance of “Her Diamonds,” where the stage was graced with red lights, was absolutely stunning. It was followed by the mid-tempo, Grammy-nominated tune “Lonely No More,” and he encouraged his fans to dance along with him on “Let’s Dance,” where he paid homage to the late but great David Bowie, who would have been in awe of his killer version.
Thomas noted that he did not mind it being a little cool tonight at Jones Beach, since he is used to playing in 110 degree weather in other places. Following “Fire on the Mountain,” he gave a shout-out to K Phillips for opening up for him, and suggested that the audience check out his music; moreover, he shared that he knows Adam Duritz, the lead singer of the Counting Crows for well over 20 years, and he described his voice as a “hug.”
He went on to sing the infectious “3 AM,” where he accompanied himself on acoustic guitar, as dark blue lights dimmed from the stage. This acoustic rendition showcased his crystalline voice, and he introduced each of his gifted band members to the crowd. He sang “Someday” with maximum soul, and he noted that it is a song about acceptance and understanding, and rightfully so.
After “Disease,” he performed the ballad “Pieces,” which was his latest single from his third solo album The Great Unknown, released on Atlantic Records, and he was able to tug at the heartstrings.
“Unwell” was one of the highlight songs of the evening, where everybody was singing along with Thomas and his band. It was met with a warm reception, and he expressed how proud he is of his New York fan-base. He showed his sassy side on “Streetcorner Symphony,” as well as his versatility as a recording artist.
Thomas took his fans on a trip down memory lane with his Grammy-winning “Smooth,” where his voice was indeed smooth as silk. Towards the end, he joined his two female background vocalists, and they delivered a killer ending of “Smooth” with their powerhouse pipes. He closed his set on an up-tempo note with “This Is How a Heart Breaks,” which was a mouthful for Thomas, yet it allowed him to move from each side of the stage, and he got a workout doing so. For this bravura performance, he earned a standing ovation for a job well done. “I love you,” he told his Long Island fans. “Be good to each other,” he added, prior to blowing them a kiss, and he reiterated his appreciation for K Phillips and Counting Crows.
The Verdict
Overall, Rob Thomas sang with a great deal of heart and passion. He had the New York audience in the palm of his hand, and he gave it his all. He was able to command the stage well, and his set was highly eclectic, consisting of a good mixture of ballads, mid-tempo and upbeat tunes. His live show at Jones Beach earned five out of five stars.
For more information on singer-songwriter Rob Thomas, his music and upcoming tour dates with Counting Crows, check out his website.
