Two reviews: The Mavericks at the Garde Arts Center and a rendition of Franz Schubert’s “Winterreise.”
You want to experience joy to the world? You should have been at The Mavericks’ holiday concert Friday night at the Garde Art Center.
The show was a rollicking feel-good time that inspired audience members to dance the night away, un-self-consciously moving and grooving in the aisles and happily singing along as though this was the world’s best party — which it kind of was.
It was a pleasure to see The Mavericks back and in top form. The group began nearly 30 years ago in Miami with a sound that leaned toward country but culled, too, from other genres, particularly Latin, creating a uniquely eclectic sound.
The group broke up in 1999 but eventually re-emerged, releasing a reunion album in 2013. After shifting line-ups, the current version of The Mavericks features lead singer Raul Malo and drummer Paul Deakin (both original members), guitarist Eddie Perez and keyboardist Jerry Dale McFadden.
They released “Mono” in 2015 and “Brand New Day” in 2017, and the albums earned The Mavericks acclaim — and Grammy nominations. They both were up for Best Americana Album, and songs from each, “All Night Long” and “I Wish You Well,” nabbed noms for Best American Roots Song. Rolling Stone magazine also named “Brand New Day” one of the best country/Americana albums of 2017. That’s a fine “welcome back.”
The group’s current tour is billed as a Christmas one, and the first half of Friday’s concert was replete with tunes from The Mavericks’ newest (and first Christmas) album. Malo told the crowd the band had released “Hey! Merry Christmas!” and were going to play some Christmas songs from it. “Otherwise, when?” he joked.
Especially when the songs are this much fun. The propulsive title tune sounded like updated Jerry Lee Lewis. “Christmas Time (Is Coming ’Round Again)” was all bouncy cheer. The sexy slink of “Santa Wants to Take You for a Ride” was irresistible, and it was suffused with playful double entendres. “Santa Does” was a gently loping mid-tempo lark.
Wise choices
They chose holiday numbers wisely from other sources, too (except for “A Marshmallow World,” which should have been left back with Dean Martin). Malo out-sang Darlene Love on “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).” The whole band turned “Santa Claus Is Back in Town” and “Feliz Navidad” into rave-ups that proved to be highlights of the night.
It was a kick to watch The Mavericks fire up the crowd, gradually getting more and more folks dancing during the first half of the show and then most people on their feet for the entire second half.
That second half, after intermission, focused on nonholiday hits and also provided Malo a chance to really showcase his singing. His voice is a thing of otherworldly beauty, but nowhere was it more exquisite than on a trio of numbers that ran right in a row: The Mavericks’ own sumptuously gorgeous Orbison-esque ballad “O What a Thrill,” followed by the Freddy Fender hit “Before the Next Tear Drop Falls” and the Bee Gees’ plaintive “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart.” Before performing the latter, Malo noted that the group had added that number to its set list after the mass shooting at the country music concert in Las Vegas in 2017; they dedicated the song to the victims’ families.
Great chemistry
The musicians had great chemistry, and they shone individually, too, with Deakin’s drumming, Perez’s guitar work (especially in solos on such songs as “Back in Your Arms Again”) and McFadden’s keyboard playing.
Just as good were the five backing musicians: Michael Guerra on accordion, Lorenzo Molina Ruiz on trumpet, Julio Diaz on trumpet, Max Abrams on sax, and Ed Friedland on bass.
I mean, to hear all the musicians onstage turn it out in numbers like “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down” and “Every Little Thing About You”? Exhilarating.
Since this was a Christmas concert, the guys were dressed in a way that referenced the fact that this was the festive occasion but did so in a stylish way. Deakin, for instance, went for a classic look, in a white dinner jacket, while McFadden was a vision in a red plaid suit.
The stage set reflected the holiday, as well, but in a tongue-in-cheek manner. Cut-out images of bells, angels and poinsettia leaves hung from the ceiling, and those same images circled the Day of the Dead skull painted on the backdrop, which boasted guitars for eyes and nose and a keyboard for the mouth.
I’ve seen The Mavericks a few times over the years, with different line-ups. I’ve never seen The Mavericks better than they were Friday at the Garde. That’s saying something.
With that in mind, know that you have another chance to see them nearby: The band plays The Strand in Providence on Tuesday. Consider it a Christmas gift to yourself.