August 17 2023 Hartford, CT
State House Square in downtown Hartford is hosting a free concert series on Thursday nights. The shows are brought to the city by the people at GoodWorks Entertainment. On this beautiful Thursday night in the middle of summer recipient’s of recognition by the City of Hartford in the past including naming of their very own day in the state capital, the legendary Max Creek killed with a single set of over three hours straight.
The quintet came out at 6:30 P and played until after the expected stop time of 9:30 and the only ‘break’ came as certain members left the stage giving way to different mini lineups of the band before everyone returned for the full band. One song after another, fifteen in total with originals and cover songs strewn throughout the set, also featured some nostalgic story telling by band members. Hartford is one of the center pieces of the band’s fifty plus year history, along with Providence. I was lucky enough to catch them in the old Agora Ballroom all the way back in the late 1980s when they were already considered a veteran band all those decades ago.
The band features a front court of Mark Mercier on keys and vocals, Scott Murawski on guitar and vocals, and John Rider on bass and vocals. The back court of Jamemurrell Stanley on percussion and Bill Carbone on drums (and ocasional vocals) kept the beat steady and drove the band effectively, allowing for the three long term members to weave songs and jams to the delight of the estimated two thousand fans in attendance.
The band showed their affection for the city, their appreciation of the promoters for putting on the event, and even told some tales appreciating and also ribbing the local law enforcement with tales of events past. There were food trucks, and some vendors, but the main attraction was the band itself.
The unending love story between the band and their fans continued on this gorgeous night.
Full show audio, use the arrows to toggle between songs.
SETLIST:
Summer Sun
Big Boat
Wild Side
I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight
Emotional Railroad
Gone at Last
The Shape I’m In
The Field
The Speed of the Sound of Loneliness
Same Thing into Drums
Blood Red Roses
Boogie On Reggae Woman
Scarlet Begonias
Something is Forming
e: Late in the Evening
Upcoming Max Creek shows:
August 26 Bourbon Blues and Brews Voluntown CT
September 01 Haddam Neck Fair Haddam CT
September 17 Wormtown Music festival Greenfield, MA
October 20 and 21 Levon Helm Barn Woodstock NY
October 28 Race Street Live Holyoke MA
November 24 and 25 Annual Thanksgiving shows, stay tuned
December 31 the Colonial Theater Pittsfield, MA
Be sure to check out the Marks Brothers with Mark Mercier of Max Creek and Mark Paradis of Dead show featuring special guest John Rider at Arch Street in Hartford on September 23.
August 24 Rubblebucket
SEP 07 West End Blend
Sep 14 Third World and the Legendary Wailers
Sep 21 Pigeons Playing Ping Pong
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