LANCASTER FESTIVAL

Blues Traveler brings blistering end to festival

Jeff Barron
Reporter

LANCASTER – With the words, "Let's boogie," John Popper launched Blues Traveler into a blistering set Saturday to close out the Lancaster Festival at Ohio University-Lancaster as a huge moon hung overhead.

Popper's vocals and harmonica are a large part of the band's signature sound and were dominant as the New Jersey band played old hits such as "Run-Around," along with new tunes such as "Hurricane" and Jackie's Baby." For the latter song, the band brought out New Hollow, a band from New Albany.

Blues Traveler has been around for more than 25 years, has sold more than 10 million albums, and has performed for more than 30 million people worldwide. The band is perhaps best known for the '90s hit "Run-Around."

The audience seemed to enjoy the band as it received warm cheers after each song and numerous people started dancing during "Run-Around."

Popper developed a good rapport with the audience as he led the band through an eclectic mix of blues, rock, a little psychedelia and just about everything in between. He accented many songs with his soaring harmonica riffs and runs.

The band played some tunes from the upcoming new album, "Blow Up the Moon." The album features collaborations with other musicians, including New Hollow on "Jackie's Baby."

In the audience were David Beyer and Thelma Thompson, who were both enjoying their first Lancaster Festival.

Beyer is from Indianapolis and was visiting the area with friends.

"They were coming out here, so we were tagging along," Beyer said. "I think it's a very nice venue here. For a smaller city, it's very nice and cozy. It seems to be well-maintained, and there's a very good family atmosphere around here."

Thompson is from here, but she had never been to the festival before. She said she's been a Blues Traveler fan for four or five years. Thompson said she likes Blues Traveler because the band's music is different.

The Lancaster Festival Orchestra opened the show with their arrangement of rock songs such as Aerosmith's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing," Journey's "Don't Stop Believin' " and "Open Arms," and Radiohead's "Paranoid Android" and "Creep."

The orchestra also performed Josh Grobin's "The Prayer" with a special arrangement that conductor Gary Sheldon wrote. The piece featured violinists Stephanie Sant'Ambrogio and Dmitri Pogorelov.

As usual, the festival ended with a fireworks display that Popper urged everyone to attend to hear the orchestra play one last time.

Whereas some festival performances have been hampered by poor weather, that was not the case with the Blues Traveler show. It did not rain, and the temperatures dropped to a cool, comfortable level as the evening progressed.

jbarron@lancastereaglegazette.com

740-681-4340

Twitter: @JeffDBarron