The world’s best-selling duo, Daryl Hall & John Oates, may be “Out Of Touch” at the moment, but that’s allowed each singer/songwriter the opportunity to pursue entirely unrelated solo projects.

In the case of Oates, who brought “An Evening Of Songs And Stories” to the well-suited environment of a sold out City Winery, it meant a chance to hear a bunch of fresh tracks, a handful from his previous partnership and a few formative influences.

Though the title of an upcoming album, “Reunion,” may seem a bit strange at face value considering it comes on the heels of the group’s presumed break-up, it actually refers to “when my 100-year-old father told me that he was making ready to be together with my mother, who had passed away some time ago.”

Alongside the fact it marks his first offering in six years, it could also be interpreted as Oates getting back in the individual game, which is quite a bit different than the more commercially-minded material resulting in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductions, so hopefully attendees set their expectations accordingly.

He got started on the Americana meets folksy turf of Jim Lauderdale’s “When Carolina Comes Home Again” and Jimmie Rodgers’ “Miss The Mississippi And You,” paving the way for like-minded originals, “Arkansas” and “Lose It In Louisiana,” crafted in the troubadour’s always dependable tradition.

That rootsy trend continued throughout “Pushin’ A Rock,” “Get Your Smile On,” “This Field Is Mine” and a cover of local legend John Prine’s “Long Monday” as the 76-year-old simply strummed an acoustic guitar with his signature voice in sturdy form, accompanied by an unplugged trio.

Such an organic set up certainly meant both Hall & Oates’ rarities (“Promise Ain’t Enough,” “Had I Known You Better Then”) and humongous hits (“She’s Gone,” “Out Of Touch”) were framed in an understated light, allowing the clever lyrics to move further to the forefront.

Those were the only moments spent on the pair’s past, despite a disappointing mention that the mammoth “Maneater” wouldn’t appear, but there were a few more soulful interpretations of others, including Smokey Robinson’s “Ooo Baby Baby”/“Tracks Of My Tears” and Louis Armstrong’s “What A Wonderful World” as Oates nonetheless soulfully reconnected with himself and a few hundred dedicated fans.

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

Upcoming concert highlights at City Winery include Griffin House (May 9); Jonathan Butler (May 10); Woman King: Mother’s Day Edition (May 11); Mother’s Day Brunch Buffett featuring Midtown Strings (May 12); Karla Bonoff (May 12); BJ The Chicago Kid (May 13-15); Lynne Jordan Sings Nina Simone (May 16); Taj Farrant (May 17); She’s Powerful Brunch featuring Soltre James (May 18); “Sinisterhood” (May 18); Soul Brunch (May 19); The J Grant Experience: A Tribute To A Tribe Called Quest (May 19); Electric Gradyland: A Tribute To Jimi Hendrix (May 20); Dorothy Roberson: A Tribute To Tina Turner (May 21); Danny Boy (May 22); Marqueal Jordan & The Wachezaji (May 23); Boney James (May 24); Mamma Mia! An Abbafabulous Brunch featuring The Neon Queen (May 26); Peter Collins (May 26); Sandy Redd (May 27); Soul Of Chicago (May 28); Aida Rodriquez (May 29); Cathy Richardson Band (May 30) and Kristina Kuzmic (May 31). For additional details, visit CityWinery.com/Chicago.

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