Jeff "Skunk" Baxter brings 'Speed of Heat' to The Coach House

Who: Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, Roselune

Where: The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, CA

When: Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022

Review by Robert Kinsler

Photography by Bob Steshetz

Over the past 35+ years I've been fortunate to see some of the world's greatest guitarists at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano. From Buddy Guy to the late Alvin Lee of Ten Years After fame, the long list also includes the far-flung likes of Nils Lofgren, Jason Falkner, Walter Trout, Tab Benoit, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, Peter Frampton, Michael Gurley (with Dada), Jim Babjak (with The Smithereens), Joe Bonamassa and countless others.

Jeff "Skunk" Baxter in the zone.

On Thursday night, I checked in at the Coach House to add another notable guitar master to that list; Jeff "Skunk" Baxter came to the venue as part of a West Coast Tour in support of his debut solo album Speed of Heat (BMG/Renew Records). The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer is known for his marvelous fret work with Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers in the 1970s and with Spirit in the 1980s. Equally impressive are his contributions as a session / studio session guitarist where he has worked with the likes of Ringo Starr, Bryan Adams, Eric Clapton, The Beach Boys, Joni Mitchell, Rod Stewart and Burton Cummings.

"Thank you so much for coming out," the personable Baxter said after coming on stage. "We'll be playing the new record top to bottom."

From left, CJ Vanston, Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, Mark Damian and Hank Horton.

Indeed, Baxter and his top-tier band — keyboardist CJ Vanston, drummer-backing vocalist Mark Damian and bassist-lead vocalist Hank Horton — proceeded to champion the Speed of Heat track listing while ultimately delivering an opportunity to celebrate Baxter's contributions to popular music over the past 50 years.

Opening with "Ladies From Hell," the quartet took the enthusiastic audience on a sonic trip across the Atlantic with a Scottish-flavored ramble. Baxter is a guitarist able to play with both fire and technical precision, and that was evidenced immediately with the dynamics displayed in the instrumental opener.

Concertgoers were then rewarded with a rousing and truly rocking take on the Steely Dan favorite "My Old School," with Baxter handling both the signature fretwork and lead vocals of the 1973 single. The troupe then turned on a dime to perform the jazzy "Giselle," a beautiful and moody work with a sublime arrangement where all four musicians played gracefully to bolster the beautiful composition.

CJ Vanston at The Coach House.

Throughout the set Baxter and Vanston would provide insights into each of the selections, further elevating the magic of the showcase. 

Hank Horton at The Coach House.

The propulsive, aptly-titled rocker "Speed of Heat," ambitious flamenco-tinged "My Place In The Sun" (with Horton acing the vocal lines that Michael McDonald completed on the album recording) and rollicking surf rock-styled "Apache" (the latter an enduring 1960 release from the Shadows) were among the other early standouts of the night.

Mark Damian behind the drum kit on Aug. 4, 2022.

A completely reworked jazz-soaked version of the 1972 Steely Dan favorite "Do It Again," an amped take on "I Can Do Without," the sly rocker "Bad Move" (a song co-written by Baxter, Vanston and Clint Black) and funky "Insecurity" were among the standouts played later in the two-hour set. 

Before launching into his encore Baxter thanked the crowd for listening to the track listing of songs from his new album, and also noted: "Let's hear it for the Coach House."

The first selection of the encore was an artfully reworked take on "Rikki Don't Lose That Number," with the extended version including a symphonic opening featuring Vanston's keyboards before the 1974 classic's original arrangement was pushed to the forefront. 

Fans of Baxter's work with the Doobie Brothers were rewarded with a particularly interesting take on "China Grove." This version was fully reworked into a countrified reading that served as another reminder how great musicians can create magic in ways listeners may never expect. 

Opening the bill was a promising young area quintet Roselune that played a blend of rock, Americana, surf rock and jam rock with confidence and solid chops.