[Typist Notes: Prior to obtaining photo passes for the Reggae Reflection coverage of Sunfest 2012, your local music-writer-about-town took notes on the the first night’s headliners, The Counting Crows]
This Bay-Area band started off its set with one of its first big hits, “Round Here” from its 1993 debut, the well-received August and Everything After. The setlist then jumped to the present day, with the band’s current single “Untitled (Love Song)” from the 2012 release Underwater Sunshine (Or What We Did on Our Summer Vacation). Rather than the typical set of compositions from frontman Adam Duritz, this current album is a collection of covers, mostly of obscure material from the band’s influences. Amongst the selections from this album include “Four White Stallions”, originally recorded by the Patrick Winningham band.
The stage was littered with so many musical instruments, it could have been mistaken for a music store, and the band used every one of them in performing material such as the early hit “Omaha” and the world-weary ballad “Long December”, featuring Duritz on piano whilst providing a nimble vocal performance.
The band concluded its set with a 3-song encore that included the 2002 ballad Holiday In Spain. But what would have otherwise been a satisfying performance was marred by the omission of the popular track “Mr. Jones”. Of course, diehard fans can live without hearing a band’s biggest hit in every performance, but the crowd was clearly disgruntled by the absence of this ’90s radio staple. Such are the expectations for a festival appearance, where some audience members might only be familiar with the band’s best-known material.
The Music Type 
It’s my 2012 dream to see them&The Wallflowers:) I think it juts might happen too…Have you heard The Wallflowers’ new album btw? The new single is great: http://www.vevo.com/watch/the-wallflowers/reboot-the-mission/USSM21200993
It’s my 2012 dream to see them&The Wallflowers:)
It’s so ironic you say that, Elyse, as the first time I saw the Counting Crows was in ’97 in a double-bill with The Wallflowers. At the time, I was looking forward to seeing Jakob’s band, since they were so red-hot on the radio at the time, but I have to say, Counting Crows who performed first blew them off the stage. I’ve Adam Duritz & Co. three times live, but that was by far the best performance of theirs I’ve seen.
Have you heard The Wallflowers’ new album btw? The new single is great:
I have heard the new single “Reboot The Mission”, and I do think it’s great, because it reminds me a lot of “Radio Clash” which is one of my favourite Clash songs. And for good reason too, since Mick Jones actually plays on the track. Thanks for your comment…
Type Writer