The Music and Stories of John Sebastian at AMSD

John Sebastian opened the first of two sold out shows at AMSD Concerts with "I'm Satisfied" from his 2007 collaboration with mandolinist David Grisman, whom he related meeting at New York University as a freshmen and later joining in the Greenwich Village–based Even Dozen Jug Band.

Thus began 90 minutes of music and stories. Armed with two guitars and a voice that's no longer what it was, Sebastian took his audience from Greenwich Village to San Francisco, regaling the crowd with tales of meeting Mississippi John Hurt at the Gaslight Cafe and riding a tour bus in the deep south with the Supremes.

The singer-songwriter was forthright in showing how he "borrowed" ancient blues licks and Holland-Dozier-Holland instrumental riffs to create a number of Lovin' Spoonful classics. It was those classics that much of the audience came to hear, and they got a measure, including "Do You Believe in Magic," "Younger Girl," and "Daydream." The only era of Sebastian’s career not well covered, unfortunately, was his solo career, embarked upon after his tie-dyed appearance at Woodstock.

• Concert: John Sebastian
• Date: October 23
• Venue: AMSD Concerts
• Seats: Second row, two seats off center aisle