February 28, 2023

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Talking Heads music was alive and well in the city of Akron last night as Jerry Harrison and Adrian Belew brought their Remain in Light Tour to Goodyear Theater.

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Harrison, an original member of Talking Heads and Belew, who played on the Remain in Light album had an outstanding backing band that brought all of those older songs to life.  The best part was that it was totally live.  

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If it takes a ten piece backing band to recreate the sounds in a live setting, I am all about it.

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Harrison and Belew kicked things off with a great version of "Psycho Killer" and they were off an running.

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The duo concentrated on songs from the Talking Heads first four records and did not play anything from Speaking in Tongues or after and the audience didn't seem to care.

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After playing "Houses In Motion," Harrison and the rest of the band went to the front of the stage and encouraged the audience to get up and dance as they went into "I, Zimbra."

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Belew showed off his guitar prowess as he coaxed many interesting sounds from his instrument throughout the evening. 

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Both men also got to stray away from the Talking Heads catalog as Harrison played "Rev It Up" from his solo career while Belew played "Thela Hun Ginjeet" from his time in King Crimson.

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The last part of the show saw the band tear into a trifecta of Talking Heads hits.  "Life During Wartime," "Once In A Lifetime" and "Take Me To The River" had everyone dancing in their seats.

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The show closed when the band returned to encore with "The Great Curve."

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Opening act, Cool Cool Cool did double duty as they opened up the show with a very funky thirty minute set.  Then turned around and served as the backing band to Harrison and Belew.   These talented musicians have something special.  If they tightened up their set and cut down on the length of some of their songs, they will be a great party band to keep your eye on.

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Photos and review by Greg Drugan

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