The adage that absence makes the heart grow fonder was fully confirmed when Alabama Shakes performed Friday night, Sept. 5, at the Meadow Brook Music Festival.

The group, now a trio (plus three tour instrumentalists and three backing vocalists) is on the road for the first time in eight years and made its first metro area appearance in a full decade, since a June 25 visit to Detroit’s Masonic Temple Auditorium.

Playing shows since July, the group’s been out long enough to shake off any rust, and a crowd of about 5,600 that braved the chilly Friday night let the Shakes know that they’ve been missed by standing from start to finish of the tightly performed 21-song, nearly 95-minute show.

And throughout, the group — its unique blend of soul, rock. blues and some gospel still intact — made

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