Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino
Maricopa, Arizona
March 11 & 12 - 2005
By Elsie
 

What a beautiful long weekend this was. It was snowing in New York when I left but when I arrived in Arizona it was 86 degrees and sunny.  What a nice break from the winter.  Not only was the weather great, but also were the four shows that Hal put on.

Hal had the whole band with him - Keith, Kenny and Chris. He played two one-hour shows both evenings. He did his usual line-up with a theatrical version of Continental Farewell, which the audience totally got a kick out of.  He sang Trail of Tears and Mama Knows the Highway in a cappella, which I believe had to be extremely tough for him to sing over the sounds of the slot machines - but he did a fantastic job.  Of his more recent songs, Hal played Roll Back the Stone. The band was really tight and they seem to get better each time with Unforgiven and Awaiting Redemption.  They all looked like they were having fun up on the stage.

There was only one quick joke that Hal provided for the audience in which he simply said, "So, this dyslexic guy walks into a bra" - which he did get some laughs and grunts from the audience.

I got to chat with Hal and the band for a while.  Hal looked quite well.  I just love that hat that he wears!  He said he was feeling okay these days. I asked Hal about the long awaited CD and he told me that he was heading to the studio on Monday (3/14) with Allen Reynolds (Producer), Dan Dugmore (Guitar and Pedal Steel) and Richard Bennett (Guitar) to do some work.  So it looks like we are getting closer.

As always - thanks again guys for another wonderful memory.  Hope our paths cross again soon!

From the four sets Hal played:

 

Past the Point of Rescue	Long Way Down
I Know Where Love Lives	Millionaire's Wife
Awaiting Redemption	Hang in there Superman
Too Many Memories	Mamma Knows the Highway
Unforgiven	Trail of Tears
Five O'clock World	Sure Love
Hearts are Gonna Roll	Stay Forever
Continental Farewell	Roll Back the Stone
Small Town Saturday Night	I Miss My Mary