The season-opener this year was the amazing Chris Isaak, performing at the Vina Robles Amphitheatre in Paso Robles last Friday.

Isaak, a singer-songwriter and guitarist, maintains a reputation as a supreme showman and one the most brilliantly hilarious live performers today.

Perform he did — with his wit, charm and talent to a very enthusiastic audience.

His performance, of course, included his five-piece band the Silvertone, which typically consists of Rowland Salley on bass, Chris Powell on drums, JD Simo on guitar, and Michael Webb on keys and accordion, with Isaak on lead vocals and rhythm guitar. While the exact lineup might vary, those are the core members who have been with Isaak for a significant period.

Isaak performed what I’d consider his signature song, “Wicked Game,” and my personal favorite, the night of the concert. 

Looking back over the course of his 40-year career of the Platinum-selling and Grammy-nominated singer and actor, along with his longtime band the Silvertone, his music and film credits include 13 critically acclaimed studio albums, 12 chart-topping singles along with several motion pictures, such as “The Silence of the Lambs” and “That Thing You Do!”

His work also has taken him behind the scenes, creating music for multiple film soundtracks, including “Eyes Wide Shut,” “True Romance,” “Wild at Heart” and “Blue Velvet.” Isaak was also recently honored with a Lifetime Award for Performance by the Americana Honors.

All I can say is what a way to kick-start the summer season, with Isaak’s incredibly talented performance with the Silvertone.

Setlist

American Boy
Somebody’s Cryin
Here I Stand
Don’t Leave Me On My Own
Put Out Your Hand
Wicked Game
Go Walkin Down There
Speak of the Devil
Oh Pretty Woman
Forever Blue
Two Hearts
Only the Lonely
Western Stars
Killing the Blues
Can’t Help Falling in Love
Blue Hotel
S.F. Days
Lie to Me
Big Wide Wonderful World
Bad Did
Can’t Do a Thing to Stop Me
The Way Things Really Are