Neal Francis, The Psycodelics at Variety Playhouse

CRITIC’S PICK: “Francis comes alive, 11 piece band show” touts the advance publicity for this tour. Blue-eyed soul dude Francis goes the Frampton route capturing a cool 70s light funk/R&B sound somewhere between Earth, Wind, and Fire and the Average White Band. Kudos for a recent cover of the Brothers Johnson/Shuggie Otis’ hit “Strawberry Letter #23” which shows Francis at his low-key best, along with an unusually heartfelt version of the James Gang’s “Collage,” not a song many soul guys would gravitate to. Let’s hope he doesn’t attempt 15 minutes of “Do You Feel Like We Do” though. — Hal Horowitz