Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real (POTR) have not performed in Tucson since the band opened for B. B. King in 2009. Back 12 years ago there was no band introduction and they came out on stage and started playing. Those in attendance were scratching their heads because the voice was so familiar. We later learned that the voice belonged to Willie Nelson’s son.
Things have changed dramatically for Nelson and the band since then. They spent a couple of years working as Neil Young’s touring band as well as performing on two of his studio albums, a soundtrack and a killer live album titled Earth.. Nelson is a Grammy Award winner for his work on the soundtrack on the film A Star Is Born and he co-produced as well as co-wrote songs with Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper.
They have released five full-length studio albums with the most recent album, A Few Stars Apart, garnering rave reviews. Obviously, Nelson did not sit on his laurels during the pandemic, but, like many artists, they could not tour immediately after its release. Now, they are touring until the end of the year to promote the album.
The adoring crowd at Tucson’s Rialto Theatre on November 11th was standing as soon as Nelson and the band stepped on stage. They launched into “Start to Go” from their very first album. It was apparent from the beginning that this set would be retrospective of their entire career. There was very little banter during the set as the music and the musicianship were the highlights of the show.
“Four Letter Word” displayed the tight connection between Nelson and bassist, Cory McCormick. There was a looseness between the two as they shredded through the song that paved the way through the rest of the set. The two were playing as they were airborne and the fans roared in approval. The more the fans roared during the evening, the bigger Nelson’s smile surfaced. It was a win-win for everyone.
Each band member had an opportunity to display his talent as they got to play extended solos. Logan Metz’s piano solo that blended into “More Than We Can Handle” was tremendous. Anthony LoGerto had his big drum solo during the first encore that prefaced “Something Real” was extraordinary. The band was perfectly harmonious.
Nelson’s ferocious guitar was present throughout the entire set and it is a good reason to see the show. He possibly has blended his dad’s and Young’s guitar skills together to achieve his sound. Nelson also played piano on a couple of songs including “Smile.” As a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, Nelson’s talent seems to be without limits. He has been working in the shadows of his legendary father and has absorbed a lot from his father.
2 Responses
Promise of the Real did play Tucson about 3 or 4 years ago at Ava with Neil Young.
That was Neil Young’s show not POTR’s show.