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As soon as they went on sale we jumped on tickets to see Los Lobos last night in Minneapolis at the Dakota. The band is on tour celebrating its 50th year together. In their nearly two-hour set before a sold-out house, they sounded loud, tight, melodic, wild, and joyous.

This was our view of the band’s original front line — from left to right, Cesar Rosas, Conrad Lozano, Louie Pérez, and David Hidalgo. Not pictured are Fredo Ortiz (drums) and Steve Berlin (keyboards and saxophones). What a privilege to see the band in such an intimate venue.

Cesar Rosas did most of the talking for the band. Rosas recalled their first venture beyond East L.A. to First Avenue’s 7th St. Entry. According to the Star Tribune’s Jon Bream in his review this morning, the Dakota is “the smallest Twin Cities venue in which the veteran band has performed since that 1983 7th Street Entry gig.”

Rosas was warm and personable throughout the show. Hidalgo, I should add, let his guitar do the talking. All three guitarists took turns on lead. Hidalgo, however, is a monster on the instrument.

Last night’s show was all highlights; it never flagged. I especially enjoyed the band’s covers, including Richard Thompson’s “Shoot Out the Lights,” the Allman Brothers-style version of “One Way Out,” Ritchie Valens’s “Come On, Let’s Go,” Camille Bob’s “I Got Loaded,” the Grateful Dead’s “Bertha,” and Neil Young’s “Cinnamon Girl.” Jon Bream’s video clip of “I Got Loaded”/”Lovelight” provides a taste.

Conrad Lozano was incredibly active on bass. He shook my hand as the band left the stage after “Bertha” and again after their encore. “You guys are a perfect rock band,” I said to him. For what it’s worth, that’s my review.

Lozano responded in good humor — the spirit of the night — “We’re a chubby rock band.” Let me put it this way. They are a great American rock band. Jon Bream adds some nuance and detail in the linked review above.

Los Lobos played last week at the Hamilton in Washington, D.C. A song-by-song recording of the show minus the encore is accessible here. Their upcoming tour dates are posted here.