Little River Band

Wayne Nelson on bass and lead vocals

It’s a Long Way There

Hey everybody…yeah, don't you feel that there's something?
Feel it, feel it?
Hey everybody…yeah, don't you feel that there's something?

People on their own are getting nowhere,
I am on the road to see,
If anything is anywhere and waiting, just for me.

Every night I walk around the city.
Seems like I'll never know,
That feeling of being together when I go.

And it's a long way there, it's a long way to where I'm going,
And it's a long way there, it's a long way to where I'm going.


This is great songwriting, brought to you by Little River Band, one of my favorite--and somewhat unheralded--bands of the '70s.

Their show at Snoqualmie Casino near Seattle last week was testament that good songwriting doesn’t fade with time. Formed in Melbourne, Australia in 1975, Little River Band based their success on good songwriting, guitar harmonies, and powerful vocals. One of the longest running band members, and arranger of most of their material, Wayne Nelson (bass/lead vocals) also hasn’t faded—his playing was just as fresh and vibrant as ever. And he plays that big old custom bass with such authority. You could tell he still felt the words and music pour out of his soul. I have to hand it to him; he really connected with the crowd (in spite of the sing-along, which, on principle, I never participate in—hey, if they want me to sing, they gotta pay me!).

Also of note was Matt Watts; with a name like that he’d better be a good drummer! And he was stellar, although if he had sat any lower in his kit he would have been on the floor, like a catcher at home plate. Turns out he’s played with a constellation of greats including The Allman Brothers, Little Feat, Charlie Daniels, and Badfinger.

It was fun seeing the whole band dressed in their idea of what Seattle-ites wear: lumberjack flannel shirts and torn jeans. C'mon, we're cooler than that.

There were some magical moments: the stunning lead guitar work in "It's a Long Way There;" the lilting and poignant “Reminiscing” and “Lady," and the cracking “Happy Anniversary." It was interesting that over 50% of the crowds’ hands shot up when they asked, “How many are celebrating NOT being married?” A bit of Aussie humor there, or a result of being On The Road for as long as these road warriors.