Photos by Dennis DiBrizzi

Peter Wolf rolled on into New York’s Bowery Ballroom with a great band, and delighted the adoring audience with another atomic performance that featured both a passionate set of new tunes and Woofagooma classics, full of that energy and presence that establishes Wolf as one of the best. What makes him so special now is the new music. His songwriting is a productive mine, capable of producing new gems like “Wastin’ Time,”  one of the show’s many highlights that had fans reflexively singing along on the chorus.

The band has an authentic presence the hits you in that spot that makes you feel great. The rhythm section is exceptional, and creates a deep foundation for band leader Duke Levine and his guys to deliver powerful emotions that energize Wolf—you can hear it when he shows off the range of his street smart voice.

Many of the new songs get stuck in your head after just a listen or two—you know what he is singing about. He is looking back at the wild times and the risks, the ups & downs, “the miles on my heart.” There are quite a few on the former J. Geils frontman’s odometer, and no way to hit the reset.

Towards the end of the show, the guys kicked it way up with “Looking For A Love.” It is still connected to the crazy dynamo of the night that sometimes goes missing in your life. It’s reassuring that, oh yes, it’s still there, and Wolf has the pass codes memorized. Go out and get the new record, it may actually be A Cure for Loneliness.

—Doug McKendry