Radio listeners in the ’70s and ’80s would be hard pressed to have missed the pop/soul group Hall & Oates. Darlings of both FM and AM, and MTV regulars during the ’80s, the duo would eventually split with both artists releasing solo records.
Originally part of the Atlantic Records family for their first three records, which yielded the No. 1 hit “She’s Gone,” Hall & Oates had a run on RCA Records that saw them rise to the top of the charts on a consistent basis. At their new label, distributed by behemoth BMG Distribution, they would strike gold yet again with an astounding six No. 1 hits.
Today, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Daryl Hall has built himself quite a reputation as a music lover of multiple genres by producing his own show, Live at Daryl’s House, which finds the songwriter featuring myriad guests from such disparate backgrounds and genres as King Crimson’s Robert Fripp, singer/rapper/producer CeeLo Green, rock band Cheap Trick, singer/songwriter Lisa Loeb, British popster Howard Jones and more.
“It was an idea I had to use the internet for entertainment, which hadn’t really been done before,” Hall has said about the LADH series, which he started with his own money. “Hard to believe, but there wasn’t anything like it. So much has changed since then. I was kind of a pioneer. I love all the guests we’ve booked and I think we’ve gone to places, musically, that we’ve never gone to before.”
As luck would have it, the ambidextrous musician with a golden voice will return to the touring circuit with his longtime pal, Elvis Costello. For those who don’t understand the tour’s significance, it has been four decades since the two sang together on Costello’s “The Only Flame in Town” song from the 1984 Goodbye, Cruel World release.
The 22-city tour will find both Hall and Costello playing songs from their storied catalog as well as joining together for a handful of numbers. Not unlike a semi-recent tour with Todd Rundgren, it’s wholly obvious Daryl excels at pairing up with musician friends whenever possible be it live or in his studio.
And while Daryl Hall has a formidable solo catalog to choose from, judging by recent setlists, it would seem he’s bound to go heavy on the Hall & Oates material that made him a household name at his upcoming concert. Expect “Out of Touch,” “Say It Isn’t So,” “Sara Smile,” “I Can’t Go for That,” and a handful of cover surprises that change from tour to tour.
Said Hall about their package tour, which began on June 2 in Oregon and will eventually wind down on July 25 in Virginia, “It’s fantastic to be able to rekindle a musical relationship.” Added Costello about the joint venture, “We are looking forward to kicking off the show in style in the certainty that Daryl will deliver a slam-bang finish.”
Daryl Hall, Elvis Costello and the Imposters and Charlie Sexton play the Mountain Winery, 14831 Pierce Rd., Saratoga, on June 10 at 6:30pm. mountainwinery.com.
