It was a treat to know that the Lowell Summer Music Series would host the only solo appearance by Warren Haynes on the current tour, and even more of a treat to be in the audience for this show.

Warren Haynes

Haynes is widely regarded as one of the finest guitarists ever (number 23 on one of  Rolling Stone‘s top 100 lists), and it is well deserved.

Haynes came on stage and told us that he was doing two sets unless the weather forecast became more threatening, forcing him to do one long set. Miraculously, the heavy rain stopped about five minutes before the show started and started again when everyone was on their way home. We could not have asked for anything better!

Warren Haynes

Playing mostly acoustic guitars, Haynes performed at least half the songs from his latest release, Ashes & Dust, recorded with Railroad Earth, and is a departure from his usual blues-heavy music. Steeped in Americana, I feel that this music emphasizes his superior guitar-playing as well as his singing.

Warren Haynes

This was a mellow concert, with most of the audience listening intently and hanging on every note. Haynes was obviously in a great mood, joking with the guy who yelled out ‘Free Bird’ for the third time that ‘the fourth time you yell for that,  I’m going to disappoint you and play it!’ Needless to say, the guy quieted down!

Warren Haynes

One of the highlights of the show for me was the medley of George Harrison’s ‘Give Me Love’ and Haynes’s ‘Soulshine’. Segueing seamlessly between the two songs, Haynes delighted the large crowd with his prowess.

Warren Haynes

The only support Haynes needed was the fabulous backdrop with texture that the lighting effects enhanced. It could have been distracting, but I did not find it so. It intensified the mood of the evening and probably took our minds off the weather (at least it did for me).

Warren Haynes

Warren Haynes

There are videos available on YouTube (or at least there were this morning) if you want to get an idea of how wonderful this show was. Some of the songs are ‘Hurts Me Too’, ‘Give Me Love/Soulshine’, ‘Back Where I Started’, ‘Hallelujah Boulevard’, and ‘Is It Me or Is It You’.

Warren Haynes

In the photo above, it is easy to see that Haynes was happy and that joy was felt by the audience. We gave him a couple of standing ovations, and after each he returned to the stage for one more number.

Warren Haynes

During the last encore, Haynes could not help himself and went electric. At that point, I believe most of the audience was ready for that!

Warren Haynes

This was a fabulous show, even if it was not held beneath a starry sky!