Bank Of America Pavillion Boston

Ain't nothing but a party with The J. Geils Band

For the third year in a row, The J. Geils Band have reunited to perform live. In 2009, it was to open the House of Blues, then last year, it was to join (and arguably outshine) Aersomith at Fenway Park. This summer they are back for series of Northeast shows, including a two night stand at the Bank of America Pavilion last weekend that proved the band still has it and then-some.

With frontman Peter Wolf revving the crowd up from backstage (“Are you ready for the original bad boys of Boston?!”), the band calmly walked on stage with guitarist Jay Geils saluting the crowd. Wolf quickly dashed across the stage as they launched into “Jus’ Can’t Stop Me. The band kept the energy high by continuing with “Hard Drivin’ Man” and “Southside Shuffke”. They quickly had the crowd in their palm of their hands and the energy never really plateaued as they steamrolled through a tight 2 1/4 hour set. With help from the Uptown Horns (who packed a punch on bunch of songs including “Just Can’t Wait), a trio of back-up vocalists (who shined during “Surrender” and local guitar great Duke Levin (who soloed during “Night Time”), The J. Geils Band was in fine form.

Wolf resumed his role as the dynamic frontman. A true showman, he danced across the stage and even into the crowd for “Musta Got Lost” and handed out roses for “Love stinks”. He also took time to recall some of the band’s history, reminiscing how “Make Up Your Mind” was the first song he and sidekick keyboardist Seth Johnson wrote and how WBCN played the first song they recorded, “Pack Fair and Square”. Off course, it was a team effort and each of the guys had their own moment in the spotlight. Notably Harpist Magic Dick and Geils electrified many of the songs throughout the night, showing off their ample riffs and solos, including “Piss On The Wall” and “Homework”, respectively.

The concert was a showcase of the band’s extensive catalogue, touching on all their influences from blues, R&B and rock. It was fueled by a setlist that featured plenty all their greatest hits, fan favorites and even a few rarities by request (including “One Last Kiss”). “Freeze Frame” was just one of the many sing-alongs before the band delivered a rousing take on “Detroit Breakdown”. The hit paraded continued with “Give It To Me”, “Musta Got Lost”, “Love Stinks” and “Looking For A Love”. The one-two punch of “Whammer Jammer” and “Ain’t Nothing But A House Party” nearly blew the roof off as the band closed out the main set.

MassJazz: Return to Forever performing at Bank of America Pavilion ...

We've initiated MassJazz to help promote the vibrant jazz scene in Massachusetts year round to visitors from around the world. Go to www.massjazz.com and check out great jazz festivals, concerts, nightclubs, jazz brunches, jazz studies, workshops and other activities, from Boston and Cambridge to Cape Cod and the Berkshires, and everywhere in between. Comments or suggestions welcomed.

Fodor's Boston 2009

Fodor's Boston 2011

Fodor's Family Boston with Kids

Frommer's Boston 2011

Time Out Boston