Blues Traveler Welcomes Merl Saunders At The Warfield On This Date In 1992

On December 27, 1992 Blues Traveler concluded a series of two shows at The Warfield in San Francisco that marked the return to the stage of the band following frontman John Popper’s near-fatal motorcycle accident in Louisiana. Traveler’s second show featured a lengthy guest appearance from keyboard legend Merl Saunders to end the first set.

Merl emerged nine songs into the opening stanza to join Blues Traveler on “Conquer Me,” “Mulling It Over,” “Should I Stay Or Should I Go?,” “Hi-Heel Sneakers” and “(Finders) Keepers.” The second set was heavy on favorites including “Alone,” “But Anyway” and Traveler’s high impact cover of “Gloria.” Popper & Co. then said farewell with a “Dropping Some NYC” encore. A crispy soundboard of the evening is available via the Live Music Archive.

Full Show Audio (Shared by Lobster/David Mallick)

Setlist

Set One: Love & Greed, Optimistic Thought, NY Prophesie, Believe Me, Letter From A Friend, Rock Me Baby, Go Outside & Drive, Defense & Desire, Conquer Me*, Mulling It Over*, Should I Stay Or Should I Go?*, Hi-Heel Sneakers*, (Finders) Keepers*

Set Two: What’s For Breakfast, Alone, But Anyway, Save His Soul, Black Cat Jam > Slow Change > Gloria > Slow Change

Encore: Dropping Some NYC

* – w/ Merl Saunders

[Originally Published: December 27, 2016]