Where: The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, CA
When: Friday, Aug. 12, 2022
Review by Robert Kinsler
Photography by Bob Steshetz
Watching Mark Farner's American Band perform a joyful concert at The Coach House on Friday night (Aug. 12, 2022), yours truly was reminded how electrifying it is to watch an artist have a blast playing their music for an appreciative crowd.
Performing in front of a capacity crowd at the legendary Orange County, California venue, the 73-year-old Farner – best known for his role as lead singer, songwriter and guitarist for Grand Funk Railroad from 1969 to 1976 and again in the late 1990s – proved his skills as guitarist and vocalist are fully intact. Leading a two-man outfit (a bassist and guitarist) as part of an acoustic tour, Farner revisited some of his biggest hits with purpose and power over the course of a fast-moving 90-minute concert.
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| Mark Farner's American Band performing at The Coach House on Aug. 12, 2022. |
Farner's voice retains the range of his youth while his guitar playing – including his frequent lead solos – dazzled across the 15-song set. The Flint, Michigan native also played keyboards on several selections further bolstering the forcefulness of the event.
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| From left, Mark Farner and Arnie Vilches. |
The night opened with the apt "Are You Ready?," a track from Grand Funk Railroad's 1969 debut On Time. The nuanced delivery of the acoustic-flavored rocker included an impressive big finale.
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Other early highlights included an artful take on "Aimless Lady" (from Grand Funk Railroad's 1970 LP Closer To Home) that showcased Farner's soulful vocals, the bluesy "Little Johnny Hooker" featuring flashy guitar work, and "How Come My Bulldog Don't Bark," the latter a tribute to influential soul-blues singer Howard Tate who Farner noted was a major influence on him early in his career (Arnie Vilches also offered us some impressive guitar work during that track).
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The momentum of the concert continued with the soaring "Bad Time," a huge hit for Grand Funk Railroad in 1975. The version performed at the Coach House was enhanced by flashy guitar work and soaring choruses. Other late set standouts included the piano-anchored "Mean Mistreater" (the lead single from the band's 1970 Live Album), a poignant cover of the Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young 1970 classic "Ohio," and a joyful take on the Grand Funk Railroad radio favorite "The Loco-Motion."
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A 10-minute version of the opus "I'm Your Captain (Closer to Home)" closed out the special night. The song's enduring power and magic was strengthened with Farner's dedication to launch into the classic: "We are going to do this song for all of our troops, no matter where they are stationed around the world."
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The audience sang along loudly during the vocal refrain "I'm getting closer to my home," with Farner's soulful vocals and sensational lead guitar work offering perfect counterpoint to the palpable energy in the Coach House.
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Opening for Mark Farner's American Band was the Danny Ray Band, a quintet that performed an hour set of classic rock favorites from the likes of The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, U.F.O. and Robin Trower.
I've seen Mark live, too many times to count.Moving to the Detroit suburbs in 76 from an Air Force base outside Madrid Spain, I was certain I'd finally get to see my favorite band, singer, guitarist & song writer. Woe was me when I heard of the breakup. I finally saw Mark in the very early 90's at Anderson's Fifth Estate in Old Town Scottsdale. 5' away from Mark since we were the 1st 4 in the door. The younger opening band was so loud it took 3 to 4 days for my full frequency hearing to return. But Mark was his genuine @ss kickin self. Lawrence for sure was there, whether Hubert was is a bit fuzzy. But the show's etched in my brain for eternity. I saw the original members at the Bosnia series at The Greek theater, holy $hit man, I still get goosebumps! The only thing that'd make it better was sitting closer to the many putting that funky smell into the beautiful night. Since I couldn't score before, but it still was a concert for the ages. The movie recorded in Detroit's in the can, but Brewer's ego won't release it. Screw the fans & the Bosnia kids. Saw Mark there with Uriah Heep & Edgar Winter great show. Saw GFR in Vegas & in the 6th row in Phoenix's Celebrity theater in the round. I could read the set list Don had. Got to be close to 20 times I've seen Mark, Hubert & Lawrence. I worked with a heart surgeon on bass as well & it's a tough thing to pass on, but Paul's done a damn fine job, as have all the Keyboardists. Rest in peace brother. I want to catch an acoustic set when he returns to the Phoenix, LA, or Vegas. Never saw a bad show & I've always seen a great show with Mark. If you love Grand Funk, you'll love Mark's American band & undoubtedly his acoustic set. I've seen parts of shows recorded on cell phones & they sound great. The true heart & soul of GFR!
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