As the summer hits in Texas the shows come in bunches and tonight was no exception. It can be hard to pick only one but when you understand the pure musical virtuosity the decision to check out Mr. Big was a no-brainer. Although many people categorize the band based on the commercial success they had with a few choice songs there is so much more to Mr. Big when you dig into their thick catalog that began in 1989 with their self-titled release. With a new record - Defying Gravity - hitting the stores in less than a month those in attendance got a taste of what’s to come and a full slab of the band’s history jam-packed into a nearly 2 hour set.
My first taste of Mr. Big came in 1989 when I heard “Addicted to That Rush”. I was absolutely floored by the guitar & bass fretboard acrobatics provided by Paul Gilbert (guitar) & Billy Sheehan (bass) rounded out by the monster drumming of Pat Torpey and incredible voice of Eric Martin. I headed out to pick up a copy of the self-titled album and I’ve been hooked ever since. The band is a perfect combination catchy songs & stellar musicianship. Tonight this would be on full display.
Once the lights dimmed the and a little James Brown pre-show music fades the band would explode out of the gates with “Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy (The Electric Drill Song)” as Billy & Paul perform the much anticipated Makita Drill solo. Keeping the pedal to the metal the band headed into a few tracks from What If… - “American Beauty” and “Undertow” - before getting down on the bluesy “Alive and Kickin’”. Only a few songs into the evening and the band is performing like a well-oiled machine and one that really enjoys sharing what they’ve created with their audience. I see the same fire I did when I first saw the band 1992 on the Lean Into It Tour.