So we can add that Christopher Cross movie theme (``Arthur"? ``Tootsie''?),
as well as the Dionne Warwick song ``Walk on By'' (B.Bacharach?) to the
covers list, following the Tradewinds (NJ) show.
 
Judging from the review of the Boathouse gig, the band put together
back-to-back wins. The Tradewinds, with its configuation of railings and
levels, made for a nice full house of fans who obviously appreciated the old
AND new songs. As usual, the boys didn't disappoint, despite problems with
the too-loud and feedback-prone sound system. (What a relief, too, after one
mighty lame set of whiny love songs by Marshall Crenshaw.)
 
As much as I enjoyed the Cs at Irving Plaza last week, this show was far
better. It had more of an edge. There's something about these Jersey Shore
shows: They used to bring the house down at the Green Parrot, too (Doug told
us last week he has fond memories of the Parrot -- R.I.P.).
 
It's nice to see the boys loosen the reins and jam a little (``Smoke,'' in
particular, took them into different territory). And I had to laugh,
thinking of a recent thread, as George ripped through lead after lead in a
succession of songs (take your pick). He really does play the precocious kid
up there, and Mike more than once curbed the mischief -- once even snapping
off a gnarly note to cut him short -- like an older brother.
 
A few things are clear: (1) the new stuff sounds much better in performance
-- they should consider doing a live album; they create an energy you can't
duplicate in a studio (2) Doug should've been himself on ``Conan,'' instead
of standing still; he's got personality, but didn't show it that night (3)
Peele is, hands down, one of rock and roll's best drummers.