Huey Lewis and the News: Live at 25

Although he initially appears to be auditioning for a role in a Night of the Living Dead remake, Huey Lewis (born Hugh Anthony Cregg III) loosens up considerably after a few numbers for this hit-filled concert filmed at the Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. in Chico, CA in December 2004. Sounding nearly as fresh as in his '80s chart-riding pop/rock heyday, Lewis (who still plays a mean harmonica) is backed by original band members Sean Hopper (keyboards), Johnny Colla (guitar), and Bill Gibson (drums), with John Pierce replacing Mario Cipollina on bass, Stef Burns standing in for Chris Hayes on lead guitar, and a kick-butt trio on horns adding oomph to the hit parade. The good news is that this is nearly all killer with very little filler: a 19-song set that includes such crowd-pleasers as "I Want a New Drug" (which nicely segues into "Small World"), "If This Is It," "Do You Believe in Love," "Bad Is Bad," "Hip to Be Square," "The Heart of Rock and Roll," "Back in Time," and "Workin' For a Livin'." Throughout the show, Lewis queries the audience, "are you still with me?" And the answer, after 25 years, is a definite yes. Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1, DVD extras here include the bonus song "The Rhythm Ranch" (with optional, repetitive commentary by Lewis), three archival television performances, and a memorabilia slideshow set to "I Ain't Perfect." Highly recommended. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)