Photos by Andy Argyrakis

He’s one half of the best-selling musical duo to ever walk the earth, plus a solo artist and author of the memoir “Change Of Seasons,” which meant John Oates not only had a ton of tunes, but just as many tales to tell when he pulled up a chair on the living room-like set he created inside the Genesee Theatre.

It sure was a lot more intimate than headlining the United Center with Daryl Hall and worthy of the comment, “I always wanted to play here,” which finally came to fruition for “An Acoustic Evening Of Songs And Stories,” accompanied by percussionist John Michel.

“This show is a little bit like sex. You’re gonna start slow,” he teased at the front of the nearly two-hour night, hinting the days when the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers ruled MTV would be reserved for a little later after many personal choices.

But by no means were Oates’ formative influences in the blues and American roots any less interesting or imperative in his artistic journey, including Mississippi John Hurt’s “Sittin’ On Top Of The World,” alongside the earthy originals “Arkansas,” “Lose It In Louisiana” and “Sonny Terry And Brownie McGhee.”

“Pushin’ A Rock” was another individual track worth discovering, co-written with early Taylor Swift producer Nathan Chapman, while covers of Timmy Thomas’ “Why Can’t We Live Together” and Percy Mayfield’s “Please Send Me Someone To Love” brought some serious soul.

The 75-year-old, who sounded and looked a whole lot younger, also spoke of pandemic-related isolation throughout “Disconnected,” one of many he penned during that period and released as singles for streaming rather than in physical formats.

Nonetheless, he did dip back to those days for the unexpected inclusion of Hall & Oates’ post-peak ballad “Promise Ain’t Enough,” written for his wedding, along with “Out Of Touch,” which he explained was created just as analog recording switched over towards digital technology and its iconic keyboard sample was actually discovered when completely stoned.

Yet Oates was as clear as could be during the fellow classic “She’s Gone,” a quasi-reggae version of “Maneater,” as it was initially intended, an up-tempo edition of Louis Armstrong’s “What A Wonderful World” and a true to form take on Elvis Presley’s “Don’t Be Cruel,” in advance of an all-star tribute concert being put together in the U.K. by his surviving guitarist, James Burton.

Speaking of “The King,” the headliner pondered how “You Make My Dreams” would’ve been perfectly suited for him to cover and added exactly that type of twist to the finale as the Genesee’s wishes were indeed fulfilled.

For additional information on John Oates, visit JohnOates.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the Genesee Theatre include The Beach Boys (Jun. 2); Jim Breuer (Jun. 15); Steve Miller Band (Aug. 3); Justin Moore (Aug. 11); America (Aug. 12); “Happy Together” featuring The Turtles (Aug. 18); Tim Allen (Aug. 19); Michael Carbonaro (Sept. 8); Diamond Rio (Sept. 15); Gipsy Kings (Sept. 30); The Righteous Brothers (Oct. 5) and Brian Regan (Dec. 9). For additional details, visit GeneseeTheatre.com.

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