Photos by Andy Argyrakis

The 50th birthday of the Little River Band is an outstanding reason to start “Reminiscing,” though the latest line-up is also marking the milestone with the entirely new album, “Window To The World,” its first in over a decade.

Since 1980, Rome, Illinois’ own bassist/singer Wayne Nelson has almost always been a fixture of a group initially founded in Australia, and while many members have come and gone, including all the originals, the soft pop meets Yacht-friendly rock sound remained the same at the acoustically ideal Genesee Theatre.

“Long Way There” and “Man On Your Mind” were a few examples of the current Little River Band operating like clockwork, plus the super tight execution continued throughout the pure radio gold of “Take It Easy On Me” and “The Other Guy.”

Though the latest project’s title track and “First Time” brought the longtime leader, keyboardist Chris Marion, drummer Ryan Ricks, guitarist Colin Whinnery and fellow guitarist Bruce Wallace into the present tense, they both retained the melodic and memorable elements that defined this more than 30 million record-selling songbook.

Of course, the 1970s and ‘80s received the lion’s share of attention and justifiably so, including the “Solid Gold”-stamped “We Two,” the veterans salute “Help Is On The Way” and the George Martin-produced “The Night Owls.”

Crisp harmonies stayed in heavy supply, especially during an a cappella segment of the Eagles’ “Heartache Tonight,” Post Malone’s “Circles,” Jelly Roll’s “Son Of A Sinner” and The Hollies’ “The Air That I Breathe,” sewn together in signature Little River Band style.

The guys plugged back in as “Lady” was met by an audience sing-a-long, “Cool Change” blew in a breeze of technically accomplished solos and fans rose to their feet for “Lonesome Loser,” easily the most aggressive rocker of the evening to end on a much more optimistic note than the title might imply.

It was a “Happy Anniversary” indeed for the Little River Band and the Genesee, who may have encountered this quintet before, but never with such a steadfast commitment to simultaneously celebrate the past and push forward.

For additional information on the Little River Band, visit LittleRiverBand.com.

Upcoming concerts at the Genesee Theatre include “The Simon & Garfunkel Story” (Jan. 26); Richard Kind (Jan. 31); The Grass Roots, The Buckinghams and The Box Tops (Feb. 7); “The Sweet Caroline Tour” starring Jay White (Feb. 8); Uptown: A Celebration Of Motown And Soul (Feb. 14); Blind Melon (Feb. 15); Howard Jones and ABC (Feb. 20); Air Supply (Feb. 21); “Drumline” Live (Feb. 23); Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone (Feb. 28); The Moody Blues’ John Lodge (Mar. 1); Jim Henson’s “Fraggle Rock” (Mar. 2); Illusionist Rick Thomas (Mar. 6); KC & The Sunshine Band (Mar. 7); Old Crow Medicine Show (Mar. 15); Here Come The Mummies (Mar. 20); “Ancient Aliens” Live (Mar. 21); An Evening With Emerson, Lake & Palmer (Mar. 22); Michael Blackson (Mar. 27); Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons (Mar. 30); Daryl Hall (Apr. 3); MJ Live (Apr. 4); The Brit Pack (Apr. 10); “The Addams Family” (Apr. 19); Voyage: Celebrating The Music Of Journey (May 1); “Sesame Street” Live! (May 16) and Brit Floyd (May 30). For additional details, visit GeneseeTheatre.com.

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