HOUSE OF BLUES, CHICAGO, IL

AUGUST 6, 2000

If there was one spot this evening that no clouds could obscure, it was the opening set from the Eric Stuart Band. This New York-based quintet wowed the crowd from the moment they fired up the amplifiers, winning them over with their Hootie-meets-the-Jayhawks blend of country-dipped rock. The band played several numbers from their independent release Blue, Dressed In Black (which was produced by none other than Frampton himself), and with numbers like "Can't Get Enough Of It," "The Best Ones Get Away" and the title track, there is little doubt that this act won't remain an independent band for long. With excellent songwriting and an excellent mix (almost unheard of for an opening band, especially at this venue), one has to ask why these guys arn't famous yet.

Chistopher Thelen

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