Review: Hall & Oates in Camden

Preparing to review a Hall & Oates show is like studying for a final exam you've been neglecting all semester. Their catalog is mammoth: 18 studio albums - one per year from 1972 to 1982 - and six No. 1 hits spread among them.

But there was no anticipating the force of nature that hometown heroes Daryl Hall and John Oates became at the BB&T Pavilion on Sunday night.

The venue was packed to the top of its grassy hillside, perhaps because of a LiveNation class-action suit that unleashed ticket vouchers for the show. Or maybe because Philadelphia fans came out in force for their long-cherished pop favorites.

The duo opened strong with "Maneater," the first single and a No. 1 from 1982's H20, and followed it with "Out of Touch," another chart-topper, from '84's Big Bam Boom. The set list wasn't exactly a greatest-hits collection, though. Among the lesser-known picks: "Las Vegas Turnaround (The Stewardess Song)," from their sophomore Abandoned Luncheonette; "Did It in a Minute," which closes side one of Private Eyes; and "Say It Isn't So," the B-side of "Kiss on My List."

Some covers were welcome. "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' " was an uplifting moment, a Phil Spector jam done right. And the cherry on this sundae was the encore that included Chubby Checker and the Hall & Oates crew taking on "The Twist," as Chubby twisted his heart out.

The eight-piece band was exceptional - and those hits were outstanding. "She's Gone" and "Sara Smile" became a momentous back-to-back mid-set, and "I Can't Go for That" preceded a first-set finale of "Rich Girl" and "You Make My Dreams," all hearty sing-alongs.

You better believe they encored "Kiss on My List" and "Private Eyes," and the crowd was eating it up.

Something must be said about the backup band, particularly saxophonist/multi-instrumentalist Charlie "Mr. Casual" DeChant, with his sparkling sequined blazer and captivating performance. The man was magnetic. And drummer Brian Dunne delivered a vocal interlude that nearly brought a tear to my eye.

Anyone who's ever caught an episode of Live from Daryl's House knows Hall & Oates' musicality remains robust and inspiring. Daryl's vocals on Sunday weren't as hearty as they were back in the day, but he turns 70 in October. It's allowed. In short, they were rock-solid, and the all-ages crowd was completely theirs.