Photo by Arthur Shim

Soulive ended their first week of Bowlive II last night, with a performance that included a set of Beatles material that appears on the group’s latest album, Rubber Soulive.

After an opening set from the London Souls (who have a Brooklyn Bowl Monday residency in March), Soulive took the stage at 10:45 pm. The trio dove into the Beatles catalogue with “Come Together,” “Something” and a funky, bass-heavy “Eleanor Rigby” > “I Want You.” The Shady Horns then appeared for “Get Back” before the London Souls stepped out as well, for a nod to New Orleans with Little Richards’ explosive “Lucille.” Surprise guest keyboardist Marco Benevento joined in for the set’s last song, a rousing take on Led Zeppelin’s “Ocean.”

Robert Randolph appeared during set two, which extended well past the midnight hour. He took the stage for on “Don’t Matter” and James Brown’s “Soul Power,” led by vocalist Nigel Hall. Alicia Chakour and Lenesha Randolph then joined in for Stevie Ray Vaughn’s “Lenny” before the last song picked up from where from Friday night’s Hendrix salute left off, with “Voodoo Child.”

The encore was Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop till You Get Enough” complete with bonus players, including André Lassalle (guitar), James Hurt (keyboards) and Marco Benevento back on stage. In a drummer shake up, Alan Evans rotated out to sing vocals while Lenesha Randolph moved behind the kit only to be replaced by Nigel Hall for a moment and then Robert Randolph. Alan finally returned to close out the first week of Bowlive II.

Next week promises to continue the high energy, with special guests John Scofield, Ivan Neville, Karl Denson, Oteil and Kofi Burbridge, Matisyahu and Van Hunt.