Lewis and News ‘Doin’ it All’ for audience

Joe Delaney

Friday, May 1, 1998 | 10:14 a.m.

Huey Lewis and The News, rocking the Caesars Palace Circus Maximus nightly through Sunday, is a no-nonsense, no frills, rock 'n' roll band, swinging proof that the band that stays together, plays together even better with the passage of time -- nearly 30 years now. Lewis handles the rough-cut vocals with minimal talk. Johnny Colla doubles saxophone and guitar. Drummer Bill Gibson, guitarist Chris Hayes and keyboardist Sean Hopper are other original cadre. All four also sing vocals. John Pierce is the new bassist, replacing Mario Cipollina.

The show is enhanced by a four-man horn section -- three saxes and a trumpet. Suffice to say, they are a worthy addition and musically, for what they played, it was a 9.5 performance, out of a possible ten. Decibel-wise, it was at least a 10 percent overkill. In fairness, no one left and no one complained.

Thursday's opening night program included "So Little Kindness," "Doin' It All For My Baby," "Heart and Soul," "Power of Love," "It's Hip To Be A Square," "60-Minute Man" and "It's All Right," a capella; "Heart Of Rock 'n' Roll," "If This Is It," "Let Her Go," and "It's Alright" full ensemble; "I Need A New Drug," "Long Time, Let's Have A Good Time," "Couple Days," "Plan B," and "Working For A Living," in that order.

Huey Lewis and The News have come a long way since those Bay Area beginnings at start of the 1970s, but it has never lost that original enthusiasm and respect for both their music and their audience -- it's party time all the time. The capacity audience entered in an up mood and left even further up. Over 50? Take along ear stopples but do go.

JOE DELANEY is a SUN entertainment critic.