Lucero celebrated 15 years of live music last night at the Echoplex

Lucero playing out the last part of their set on Saturday night at the Echoplex. John and Brian decided to come stage topless to finish out the night.  Nothing says 15 years of rock, like your bare beer gut.  Pure Lucero awesomeness.

Lucero rang in 15 years of live shows at the Echoplex in Los Angeles on Saturday night.   It's amazing how personable and humble they are after 15 years of touring the country on a yearly basis.  I've personally seen them 8 times in Los Angeles since 2005.   They have evolved as a band through the years by adding more pieces. First came Rick Steff with piano, organ, and accordion and then came the small horn section.   You can clearly see this evolution start to happen starting with 1372 Overton Park and really taking shape by Women & Work.

I just want to clearly state my personal feeling on this evolution and especially concerning the live show I watched and listened to on Saturday night.  I'm sure there are newer fans that would disagree with what I'm about to say and taste is taste.  So, all opinions are valid in this discussion.  Anyhow, Lucero's sound does seem more polished and less immediate now.  It's a bigger sound that's ready for the big stage but at the same time might disconnect with the older fans.  I don't mind their albums having that evolution because I get that every artist has to evolve. 

My main problem comes with the live shows.   I really would love the band to play the older songs from albums like Tennessee as they were originally arranged.  Meaning, leave out the horn section and organ from those.  What I wouldn't have given to hear Rick stop playing his keyboard during "Nights Like These." 

They were still amazing and played an extra long set to celebrate their long and continued live career.  Lucero is still one of the best live bands out there.  If you haven't seen them live, throw down the 20 bucks next time they hit your town and check them out.  Any music lover will enjoy the show. 

Here's how awesome and raw "Nights Like These" used to sound before they added those other pieces.  And I'm also attaching how it sounds now live.  Again, taste is taste. I prefer just the core band on the older tracks. 

A live performance from SXSW 2012 with a full band.  Too much going on.  It almost sounds like a polished country song. Loses the rock edge for me. Don't get me wrong, it's still better than most other rock bands touring now but it's not the same.  And yes, I'm still going to go to every Lucero show I can.  Just because I prefer it sounding a little more old school doesn't make them any less great in the end.

 Without Rick on the piano. Sounds so much more raw and immediate.