Dusted-off soul shines for Hall and Oates
By Casey Seiler, Entertainment Editor
Wednesday, March 5, 2003

REVIEW

Midway through the extended conclusion of the bedroom jam ``One on One'' comes the shock of recognition: Could Daryl Hall really be ... Justin Timberlake's father?

If not biologically, than surely musically, Hall and his partner John Oates are the proud papas of the Backstreet Boys, 'N Sync and the rest of this generation of young men (black, white or otherwise) who dream of sounding as smooth as Otis Redding or Jackie Wilson -- with a few power chords thrown in for good measure.

At the Palace Theatre on Tuesday, Hall & Oates displayed their credentials in a show that was as professional as any Motown outfit could hope to be, surveying more than a quarter-century of FM classics plus a half-dozen tracks from their independently released comeback album, ``Do It For Love.''

Accompanied by a five-man backing band highlighted by longtime bass player T-Bone Wolk and samurai-looking saxman Charles DeChant, the pair opened with the chunky, threatening hook of ``Family Man'' before shuffling through ``Out of Touch'' and ``Say It Isn't So,'' which elicited a behind-the-head bass solo from Wolk.

Hall, still in great voice and still looking leonine under the blond mane, played electric guitar and keyboards; Oates switched off be tween electric and acoustic guitar, although most of the rock leads were neatly handled by Jeff Cantania, who had his agonized-rocker poses down cold.

The midsection of the show focused on new material and a few songs from the band's wilderness years. Of these, the organ-powered funk tune ``Want To'' (from the album ``Marigold Sky'') was the biggest surprise, although ``Getaway Car'' is a worthy follow-up to the anthemic title track to ``Do It For Love.'' Oates stepped forward to sing sobbing lead vocals on two songs, including ``Color of Love'' (from his solo album ``Phunk Shui'' -- surely the worst title in the history of music).

As the concert built toward its climax, there were more frequent trips back to the bank, including the downright majestic Philly-soul classics ``She's Gone'' and ``Sara Smile.'' ``I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)'' brought at least four different generations of Capital Region womanhood to their feet.

The first encore featured the snappish kiss-off ``Rich Girl,'' ``Kiss on My List'' and ``Private Eyes,'' capped after a pause by the bubbly power pop of ``You Make My Dreams.''

It wasn't profound, but Hall & Oates have never promised more than killer hooks and heartfelt vocals. Even if they never really went away, it's good to have them back.

MUSIC REVIEW

Hall & Oates

Where: Palace Theater, 19 Clinton Ave., Albany
When: 7:30 pm Tuesday
Length: Two hours on the dot
Highlights: A slinky "Sara Smile," the funk workout "Want To"
The Crowd: Just under 2,000 fans out on Fat Tuesday. All were enthusiastic, some were drunk, but only a few were as sloppy as the woman behind me.