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August 28, 2006 by muziknewzShakira Energizes San Jose Crowd
August 26, 2006 by muziknewzCheck out Shakira Tickets here.
The first song Shakira played on Saturday night at the HP Pavilion in San Jose was “Estoy Aquí,” which translates to “I’m Here.”
Boy, was she ever.
More importantly, from the look of things, it appears that she’s here to stay. The 29-year-old Colombian-born vocalist opened her two-night stand at the venue, which included a show Monday night, with a fiery performance that proved she has what it takes to make it for the long haul.
Shakira, as most of you probably know, is currently the hottest property in the crossover market. A huge star in the Latin pop world since the mid-’90s, the woman born Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll now finds herself in the same league as Madonna, Britney Spears and Shania Twain in the United States. Her collaboration with Wyclef Jean, “Hips Don’t Lie,” is the jam of the summer, and her Oral Fixation Tour is doing banner business across the country.
The thing about Latin-pop crossover artists, however, is that their stars often quickly fade after the initial buzz wears thin. The crossover success might last for one, maybe two, catchy singles, but then it’s gone — see Ricky Martin for one recent example.
That’s not likely to happen with Shakira. She simply has too much going for her.
One of those things, unfortunately, is not her opening act. The choice of Jean as the opener on this tour makes sense — it makes it possible for the Fugees singer to join Shakira at the end of her set on “Hips Don’t Lie.”
But it also means that the crowd has to listen to a full set by Jean, who remains one of the most infuriatingly uneven live performers in the business. When he is focused on stage, which is rare, the 33-year-old Haitian-born rapper can really fire up an audience. At the HP Pavilion, however, Jean delivered a highly scattered show that was reminiscent of the one he performed on Election Night 2000 at the San Jose State Event Center. (It was so bad that probably even the Democrats in the house would have rather been home watching election results.)
The one true highlight of Jean’s otherwise ho-hum set was his version of Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry,” which can be found on the Fugees’ “The Score.” It was a much better rendition than the one performed in the same venue only six nights earlier by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.
Things improved dramatically once Shakira took the stage and hit the crowd with “Estoy Aquí.”
“Here’s the deal,” the vocalist told the audience early in the concert. “I am going to be singing and dancing and doing the required stuff. But I need you to do one thing for me — I need you to have fun.”
The capacity crowd certainly lived up to its end. The fans boogied, waved banners and Colombian flags, sang along to both Spanish and English language songs, and, in general, acted as if Carnival was in full swing.
Shakira sounded strong and showed far more vocal range than one hears from her on her studio records as she strutted her way through the first English-language song of the night, “Don’t Bother,” a lightweight rocker from last year’s blockbuster “Oral Fixation, Vol. 2.”
The celeb, as we know from watching the videos, can dance as well as she sings — perhaps even better. She mixed modern moves, old-school shakes like “The Robot” and the belly-dancing techniques she first learned as a child as she waltzed through such feet-friendly numbers as “La Tortua.”
Although her stats place her in true divadom, and thus she’s allowed to use all the tricks of the trade, Shakira impressively used a minimal number of bells and whistles during her show. She didn’t rely on video segments, fancy light shows or many big production numbers. She didn’t writhe suggestively in a bathtub, a la Britney Spears on the Onyx Hotel Tour, or affix herself to a cross, like Madonna in her Confessions Tour.
Instead, she just relied on her talent to get her through the night, and it was more than enough.
Appearing first in a simple black T-shirt and baggy pants, Shakira kept the focus on the music throughout the show. She did dust off that old stage trick of going unplugged on “Antologia,” and there was that elaborate red costume with the flowing sleeves that she wore for “Fijación Oral, Vol. 1” — track “No.” In neither case did the theatrics distract from the crowd’s ability to connect with the music.
She closed her main set with a tremendous version of the infectious “Whenever, Wherever,” the “Laundry Service” tune that made her a crossover star in 2001. She returned for two encore segments, eventually ending her show by bringing out Jean for an uproarious duet on “Hips Don’t Lie.”
Shakira Tour Dates
August 2006
Shakira Tickets August 22 – Denver CO – Pepsi Center
Shakira Tickets August 25 – Chicago IL – United Center
Shakira Tickets August 27 – Toronto Ontario – Air Canada Centre
Shakira Tickets August 29 – Washington DC – Verizon Center
September 2006
Shakira Tickets September 1 – Atlantic City NJ – Taj Mahal
Shakira Tickets September 4 – Uncasville CT – Mohegan Sun Casino
Shakira Tickets September 5 – Boston MA – TD Banknorth Garden
Shakira Tickets September 7 – New York NY – Madison Square Garden
Shakira Tickets September 12 – Atlanta GA – Philips Arena
Shakira Tickets September 13 – Orlando FL – TD Waterhouse Centre
Shakira Tickets September 15 – Miami FL – American Airlines Arena
Shakira Tickets September 19 – Houston TX – Toyota Center
Shakira Tickets September 20 – Corpus Christi TX – American Bank Center
Shakira Tickets September 22 – San Antonio TX – AT&T Center
Shakira Tickets September 23 – Dallas TX – American Airlines Center
Shakira Tickets September 25 – Hidalgo TX – Dodge Arena
Jim Harrington/MediaNews
P. S. Check out Shakira Tickets here.
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Mary J. Blige Reno Concert News and Tickets
August 24, 2006 by muziknewzCheck out Mary J. Blige Tickets here.
There was no “hateration” at FedExForum Saturday night.
There was only admiration as queen of hip-hop soul Mary J. Blige performed before a near sell-out crowd of more than 10,000 as she stopped in Memphis during her 31-city “Breakthrough” concert tour.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, Memphis,” Blige said as she emerged on a pivoting-platform dressed head-to-toe in white, including a wide-brimmed hat that made her look like she stepped out of a 1970s Foxy Brown movie.
Before Blige took the stage, she met about two dozen fans who won radio contests for a chance to meet the star.
“I’m M.J. and she’s M.J.,” said Mary Johnson as she stood in the meet-and-greet line. “I hope I don’t cry when I meet her.”
At 8 p.m., Blige quietly entered the room. Those waiting to meet her burst into applause and screams.
Then it was on to her show where, for two hours backed by a full five-piece band, she testified about the ups and downs of her life through her music.
“I’m getting better, but I’m a little messed-up too,” she told the audience as she stood before huge blocks with words like “jealousy” and “revenge” on them as she launched into her hit “No More Drama.”
In a telephone interview a few days before her show, Blige said she chose to call her new album “The Breakthrough” because she has broken through drugs, alcohol and abusive relationships.
“It is a beautiful thing to break through and I came up with the name of the album a year before I recorded because that’s where my life is at right now,” she said.
At 35, she is happily married, and honored her husband on the sobering song “Father In You” about growing up without her father. Women stood swaying, feeling the powerful ballad as Blige belted out its heartfelt lyrics as a video behind her showed a little girl playing with her dolls as her parents fought.
She mixed her old and new songs throughout a show that included a visit from her hip-hop alter ego, Brook Lynn.
This time dressed in a gold lame suit, Blige appeared as Brook Lynn brought the funk, strutting and dancing across the stage singing “MJB da MVP.”
Hip-Hop poet Black Ice performed as Blige ducked backstage for one of her five-wardrobe changes of the night.
R&B singer Jaheim and former Destiny’s Child singer LeToya opened the show.
But it was Mary for whom the crowd shouted “we love you, Mary” for nearly 10 minutes until she returned for an encore.
She returned for her final number, “Be Without You,” and again thanked the audience for being her therapy.
“It’s all because of you that I’m here,” she said as she left the stage as she entered, humble but determined.
Mary J. Blige Tour Dates
Mary J. Blige Tickets 8/25 – Miami FL – American Airlines Arena
Mary J. Blige Tickets 8/26 – Tampa FL – Ford Amphitheater
Mary J. Blige Tickets 8/27 – Atlant, GA – HiFi Buys Amphitheatre
Mary J. Blige Tickets 9/1 – Irvine CA – Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Mary J. Blige Tickets 9/2 – Las Vegas NV – Mandalay Bay
Mary J. Blige Tickets 9/3 – Universal City CA – Gibson Amphitheater
Mary J. Blige Tickets 9/6 – Phoenix AZ – Cricket Pavilion
Mary J. Blige Tickets 9/7 – Marysville CA – Sleep Train Amphitheater
Mary J. Blige Tickets 9/8 – Concord CA – Sleep Train Pavilion
Yolanda Jones/CommercialAppeal
P. S. Check out Mary J. Blige Tickets here.
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Elton John Plots More Shows
August 18, 2006 by muziknewzCheck out Elton John Tickets here.
Fresh off news that he’ll soon issue a follow-up to 1975’s “Captain Fantastic and the Dirt Brown Cowboy,” piano man Elton John has penciled in more fall headlining concerts.
The latest additions to John’s schedule are a September performance in Sacramento, CA, and an October show in Pittsburgh.
Also on the books is a Sept. 6 benefit concert in New York City, during which John and his band will debut songs from John’s forthcoming album, “The Captain and The Kid.” Proceeds from the show will benefit the Elton John AIDS foundation, according to John’s website. More information about the event is posted at his site.
The night after the benefit show, John will perform at the third-annual Fashion Rocks concert at New York’s Radio City Music Hall. Billed as a “fashion and music spectacular,” the Sept. 7 show–which will air the following night on CBS-TV–will also feature performances from Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, Bon Jovi, The Black Eyed Peas, Daddy Yankee, Jamie Foxx, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Nelly Furtado, The Pussycat Dolls, Rihanna, Scissor Sisters and Kanye West, according to a press release.
In addition to performing at the Sept. 7 show, John is also billed as the event’s curator.
“We are delighted to have Elton curating the show,” Richard D. Beckman, president of Conde Nast Media Group and an executive producer of the evening’s production, said in a statement. “He’s always been an outrageous fashion icon and one of the greatest musical artists of all time. He’s the epitome of what the show’s all about.”
On Sept. 19, John issues “The Captain and the Kid.” Billed as a sequel to John’s acclaimed 1975 set, “Captain Fantastic and the Dirt Brown Cowboy,” the album features the forthcoming single “The Bridge,” which will be available for download beginning Aug. 22 via Apple’s iTunes Music Store. A complete track listing for the set, as well as the album cover-art, is posted at John’s website.
John’s upcoming plans also include a stretch of October engagements that are part of his ongoing residency in Las Vegas. Dubbed “The Red Piano,” and created by John with photographer David LaChapelle to spotlight the songs of John and his longtime writing partner Bernie Taupin, the production takes place at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Last year, John signed an agreement that will keep the show running through 2008, according to Caesars.
Elton John Tour Dates
September 2006
6 – New York, NY – Frederick P. Rose Hall
7 – New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall (Fashion Rocks)
15 – Sacramento, CA – Arco Arena
16 – San Jose, CA – HP Pavilion
19 – West Valley City, CA – E Center
20 – Boise, ID – Taco Bell Arena
22, 23 – Seattle, WA – Key Arena
24 – Portland, OR – Rose Garden
27 – Vancouver, British Columbia – General Motors Place
29 – Calgary, Alberta – Pengrowth Saddledome
30 – Edmonton, Alberta – Rexall Place
October 2006
6 – Pittsburgh, PA – Mellon Arena
7 – Atlantic City, NJ – Boardwalk Hall
10, 11, 13-15 – Las Vegas, NV – The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
17, 18, 20-22 – Las Vegas, NV – The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
Jon Zahlaway/liveDaily
P. S. Check out Elton John Tickets here.
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Shakira Concert Review and Tickets
August 17, 2006 by muziknewzCheck out Shakira Tickets here.
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – It happened about midway through her 100-minute set Tuesday at Staples Center. Shakira tied up her black T-shirt to reveal her abdomen and those hips that don’t lie. With that move, the Colombian singer took her performance to a new level, hip-shaking her way through the heartbreaking Spanish-language hit “La Tortura.”
It wasn’t like the crossover queen didn’t show off her considerable assets prior to that move. In the opening half of her set, the petite dynamo strutted around the stage barefoot, strapping on a sparkling electric guitar for the power ballad “Don’t Bother” and an acoustic for the Spanish sing-along “Antologia.” She high-stepped her way through the jaunty “Hey You” and blew harmonica on “Te Dejo Madrid.”
Yet it wasn’t until she showed off those shaking hips that she truly ignited the Staples Center crowd. Simply put, Shakira possesses the most influential pop music hip shake since Elvis Presley’s shook the world on “The Ed Sullivan Show” 50 years ago. But that’s not her only weapon. During her set, Shakira showed why she is the most successful Latina crossover artist, with emotional vocals that transcend language, pinup-girl looks and the sensual moves of a belly dancer.
It’s that combination of talent that has made Shakira a huge star around the world. This week her collaboration with Wyclef Jean, “Hips Don’t Lie,” remains the No. 1 single in the U.K. for the third consecutive week. A few weeks earlier, she tied Red Hot Chili Peppers with the most nominations for MTV’s Video Music Awards, garnering seven.
In spite of her broad-based success, Shakira has managed to retain her Latino following by remaining true to her roots. More than half her set consisted of songs sung in Spanish, yet they were performed with such flair that even the English-only fans were entertained.
After she shook things up with “La Tortura,” a modern-dance clip of the singer and another female dancer was projected on the scrim in front of the stage, allowing Shakira time for a quick costume change. She returned in a flowing, Madonna-worthy red gown to belt out “No,” extending the winglike sleeves of the dress in dramatic fashion during the song’s climax. She also showed off the Arabic roots from her father’s side with a belly-dancing segment that led into the hit “Whenever, Wherever.”
When the show closed with “Hips Don’t Lie,” it was a bit anticlimactic. Since Jean opened the show, there wasn’t a person in Staples Center who didn’t know it was coming, Still, the celebratory feel of the song — originally a throwaway track from 2004’s forgettable “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights” — managed to overshadow any lack of spontaneity. Even an overenthusiastic fan’s intrusion onto the stage and subsequent manhandling by security couldn’t put a damper on the party.
Shakira Tour Dates
August 2006
September 2006
Craig Rosen/Hollywood Reporter
P. S. Check out Shakira Tickets here.
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Chris Isaak Concert Review and Tickets
August 14, 2006 by muziknewzCheck out Chris Isaak tickets here.
Roy Orbison cast a long, deep and blue shadow during his decades as the king of dramatic, hypnotic, near-operatic heartbreak.
Since his death, Orbison’s shade has only deepened in hue. One can hear echoes of his work in unlikely places – Bruce Springsteen’s mid-’70s work, and, vocals aside, much of Bob Dylan’s early-’70s library. More recently, epic purveyors of the high-lonesome, like Britain’s Richard Hawley, have tapped into Orbison’s exquisite pain.
But no artist has so fully embodied Orbison’s work, and carried it on for subsequent generations, than Chris Isaak. With his heart-rending falsetto, his crisp, cool and affable demeanor, his ability to exhume and examine the September of romantic love’s years, and his stellar band of musicians able to draw from country, folk, pop, rock & roll, romantic balladry and surf music with equal aplomb, Isaak is Orbison’s legitimate heir. On Saturday, Isaak and his longtime band, Silvertone, kicked off a two-night stand inside the Niagara Fallsview Casino & Resort’s Avalon Ballroom with an impeccable show, drawing from throughout his recorded canon. Never has having your heart broken by a song been more pleasurable.
Isaak is on tour in support of a recently released greatest hits record, and thus, much of Saturday’s show comprised hits and perennial fan favorites. In this instance, that’s nothing but a good thing; Isaak is at heart a pop songwriter, though he recalls a golden age of pop and rock, when a three-minute song packed all the necessary information into a tight format. Isaak can write a hook like few others, and so, hearing his “greatest hits” is far from painful, nor does it appear contrived or an attempt to pander to fans. Dressed resplendently – like a particularly hip Vegas singer, his trademark coiffure in awesome shape, and his gorgeous Gibson ES-335 guitar wearing him well – Isaak summoned Orbison, Gene Vincent, Carl Perkins and Ricky Nelson with his dreaminess and sense of heartbreak’s hypnotic effects. But he has added enough of his own idiosyncracies to the mix to make it his own.
Isaak emerged looking like young Elvis, and his moves mixed the King’s hip-swivel with his own brand of good-natured irony. Early on, Isaak and his cordless ran at full-tilt off the stage and ended up in the balcony, sitting on one female fan’s lap, before leaping up to offer some face time to folks on the lower level. It was charming, and helped Isaak earn the crowd’s full attention, which he clung to for the remainder of his two-hour-plus set.
Opening with the raucous, Johnny Cash-circa Sun Records rocker, “Lonely With a Broken Heart,” Isaak and his killer band – guitarist supreme Herschell Yatovitz, drummer Kenny Dale Johnson and bassist Rowland Salley, as well as an auxiliary keyboardist and percussionist – Isaak ran through the double entendre-laced “Let’s Have a Party,” and then segued into a gorgeous “Let Me Down Easy,” an able showcase for the singer’s searing yodel.
“Speak of the Devil” was snarling rockabilly, while “Dancin’ ” again showcased Isaak’s ability to whistle past the graveyard, finding humor in heartbreak. “Somebody’s Crying” is one of Isaak’s finest songs, and Yatovitz made it sparkle. Chris Isaak puts on one helluva show.
August 2006
18, 19 – Atlantic City, NJ – Borgata
20 – Vienna, VA – Wolf Trap/Filene Center
22 – Verona, NY – Turning Stone Casino
23 – Boston, MA – Bank of America Pavilion
29 – Atlanta, GA – Chastain Park Amphitheatre
September 2006
1 – Clearwater, FL – Ruth Eckerd Hall
2 – Boca Raton, FL – Mizner Park Amphitheatre
3 – Orlando, FL – Hard Rock Live – Orlando
5 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues – New Orleans
7 – Houston, TX – Verizon Wireless Theatre – TX
8 – Austin, TX – The Backyard
9 – Fort Worth, TX – Billy Bobs
Jeff Miers/Buffalo News
P. S. Check out Chris Isaak tickets here.
Justin Timberlake Concert Review and Tickets
August 14, 2006 by muziknewzCheck out Justin Timberlake tickets here.
HOLLYWOOD — Never get between Justin Timberlake and his fans.
Before JT took the House of Blues stage Friday night, two misguided men made the mistake of trying to squeeze into the first row past the die-hards who had rushed to the front when the doors opened at 8 p.m. A pack of ladies who hadn’t met one another before waiting in line outside the venue banded together to move the men back.
The incident set the scene for the intimate show, where the crowd’s loyalty to the former boy-bander came through in its equal excitement for his mega-hits and for brand-new tracks from his September 12 release, FutureSex/LoveSounds.
The singer made his way onstage to the “Inspector Gadget” theme, suavely decked out in a fitted pink-and-white checkered shirt, pink tie and gray dress pants. He went right into one of his biggest solo hits, the Britney-skewering “Cry Me a River,” with girlfriend Cameron Diaz singing along from the balcony. Pulling from Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain,” Timberlake repeatedly sang, “I bet you think this song is about you,” over the song’s final bars.
In a shout-out to his home state, a quick taste of Arrested Development’s “Tennessee” morphed into “Señorita,” another single from Timberlake’s first album, Justified. He hopped onto the keyboard for this one, joining a live band that featured two electric guitars and no DJ.
“I feel good tonight,” Timberlake said after wrapping up the song’s sing-along finale. “I’m sure you guys are hip to this already, but I’m gonna play some new songs for y’all. Hope you like ‘em. If you don’t, f— you!”
“My Love,” the next single from Timberlake’s upcoming LP, kick-started a string of new songs. The slow and saucy track will feature T.I. on the album, but the crowd had to settle for JT’s beat-boxing in the Atlanta rapper’s absence. Next, he performed “Damn Girl,” rolling up his sleeves for the “SexyBack”-style club cut. Black Eyed Peas mastermind and Timberlake producer Will.I.Am, the night’s first surprise guest, played to the pumped-up audience as he rapped along with the singer.
“This guy doesn’t need a producer,” Will said after the song. “He can produce himself.”
After Will exited, the crowd got a sample of Timberlake’s first solo single, “Like I Love You,” with Justin playing mariachi-style guitar. The band then went for a whole new sound, breaking into Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”
Not to lose focus, JT got back to the new stuff. Before kicking off “Until the End of Time,” a slow jam à la R. Kelly, Timberlake (back on keyboard) told the audience, “This song’s for the lovers.” Then the rapid “Love Stone” inspired Justin to show off his dancing skills and lose the tie.
The show slowed back down with “Take It From Here,” an ethereal cut from his first album. Justin had the ladies’ undivided attention as he sang, “When all the love feels gone/ And you can’t carry on/ Don’t worry, girl/ I’mma take it from here.”
“It’s a couple minutes since I been here, and it feels really good,” said Timberlake, who hasn’t released a new album in four years.
JT got back on the keyboard for “What Goes Around,” the soon-to-be karma classic from his new album, which he’s insisted isn’t about former flame Britney Spears. The moody song includes the biting line “I was ready to give you my name.” He followed up the new track with a pared-down version of the similarly bitter — but more upbeat — “Last Night,” another non-single from Justified.
After a string of new and lesser-known tracks, Timberlake gave his fans what they wanted — a high-energy hit — with “Rock Your Body,” adding a little back-and-forth banter.
“Y’all tired yet?” he asked his louder-than-ever fans.
“Hell no!” they yelled.
“Y’all ready to quit?”
“Hell no!”
As he crooned, “So go ‘head girl just do/ That ass-shakin’ thing you do,” JT did a little shakin’ of his own, which went over well with the mostly female crowd. Two of the backup singers joined Timberlake onstage for a dance interlude that really loosened the singer up. He loosened up a little more when, after the song, he summoned a shot girl over to the stage and grabbed a test tube of tequila.
“Normally I don’t do these types of things, but you make me feel so comfortable,” he told the crowd before downing the shot.
“It tastes so good when it hits your lips!” he said, paraphrasing Will Ferrell’s “Old School” line.
Justin then promised “some Memphis hip-hop” as two members of Three 6 Mafia, who are featured on the new LP, joined him onstage. The crowd heard some rare rapping from the singer as he tried to keep up with the Oscar-winning MCs.
Timbaland popped onstage next, and JT took over for Nelly Furtado in a bite from the producer’s #1 single “Promiscuous.” Timberlake also channeled Annie Lennox as the Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams” led into his latest single, “SexyBack.” The drummer worked overtime to re-create Timbaland’s intricate beat, and JT and Tim fed off of each other’s energy, running all over the stage as the fast-paced comeback track closed the show.
Celebrities — including Paris and Nicky Hilton, Tyra Banks, Spike Lee, Ellen DeGeneres and girlfriend Portia De Rossi, Kate Bosworth and Timberlake’s former ‘NSYNC bandmate Lance Bass — crowded the VIP balcony at the small show. As fans filed out of the concert, they were pumped about JT’s energy and his new material.
“His passion about his music comes through in his performance,” said Elian Dashev of Los Angeles. “You can tell he’s having fun and you have fun with him.”
“The new sound’s much more mature and funky,” added Robin Chen of Taiwan.
Irvine, California’s Kristina Gonzales couldn’t even form a sentence when describing the concert.
“Unbelievable. Incredible experience. The most awesome show ever.”
Justin Timberlake Tour Dates
August 2006
Katie Byrne/MTV News
P. S. Check out Justin Timberlake tickets here.
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American Idols Concert News and Tickets
August 9, 2006 by muziknewzCheck out American Idol Tickets here.
Stars of this season’s American Idol Top 10 made it to the BankAtlantic Center stage in Sunrise on Saturday for the most popular American Idols Live Tour yet.
Barring some flaws, this tour was a good one. No, not good in the same way as a U2 concert, where you feel you’ve been saved by the power of rock ‘n’ roll. But quite good as pure entertainment.
Credit some fine voices, especially during the first half of the two-hour concert. Mandisa opened, claiming Chaka Khan’s I’m Every Woman as her own. Though erratic during the televised competition, Mandisa proved the most natural on stage and the most conversant. Amusingly, she claimed to be ”lovesick,” dedicating a passionate If I Was Your Woman to her ”crush,” second-season winner Ruben Studdard. With her rich voice and plus-sized figure, Mandisa could become a major dance music diva if she tones down the public religious sermonizing and focuses instead on her prodigious pipes and image.
Some performers surprised with true skill on a musical instrument, something we never see on the strictly formatted vocals-only TV series. Poised Lisa Tucker played electric piano on a stirring rendition of Elton John’s Someone Saved My Life Tonight.
Some busted serious dance moves — Paris Bennett, another stage natural, giving Beyoncé competition on Crazy in Love, one of the few non-’70s tunes of the night.
True, there’s too much crushed testicle in falsetto Ace Young’s lightweight vocals, but he’s clearly having so much fun just being up there it hardly matters. But Ace, get some new moves, dude. The open palm on the heart thing when mewling ballads is getting to be schtick.
Idol producers still don’t seem to spend much on staging but this time the personable cast is the draw. Four of this season’s idols — Taylor Hicks, Katharine McPhee, Chris Daughtry and Kellie Pickler — have already scored major recording contracts from BMG, that’s more than for any of the previous four seasons. Year Five was Idol’s highest rated, too, snagging 30 million viewers weekly. The tour’s a hit.
Who couldn’t love a nice Jewish boy like Elliott Yamin who has been bringing his mother along on tour and who offered the night’s most memorable political statement by wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the Star of David and the word ”Israel.” He sang Trouble pretty well, too, and lent nice harmonies to a surprisingly sweet cover of Guns N’ Roses’ Patience along with Bucky Covington, Chris and Ace.
The tour has been plagued by problems, though. Katharine missed a number of dates, claiming laryngitis. Then, last Tuesday, she fractured her left foot tripping backstage. The elegant young Californian hobbled a bit Saturday and noted she was ‘’still on doctor’s orders” to save her voice so she limited her time to two songs — the rapidly grating Black Horse and the Cherry Tree but a sublime Over the Rainbow. Unfortunately Kellie, the season’s country charmer, had to temporarily drop out of the tour this week, also due to vocal problems. She did pop on stage to silently wave to her fans.
The demands of a major arena tour are taking a toll on some of these amateurs, none worse than winner Taylor, but Chris and Paris were not at the top of their game vocally, either, and Bucky, who never could sing well, was flat-out awful. Only his aw-shucks demeanor narrowly saved him.
The night’s biggest disappointment: Taylor, the night’s biggest disappointment. His shelf-life should expire before his major-label debut CD arrives this fall.
Perhaps Taylor triumphed over the others on TV because his spastic dancing, his prematurely gray hair and his not-so-good looks appealed to the average schlub among us who fantasizes about becoming famous.
However, on tour, Taylor is abysmal. Charmless, soulless, he gruffly shouts his rote covers of Doobie Brothers, Bob Seger and Stevie Wonder songs with a broken, hoarse voice that is more Michael Bolton-styled bluster than Ray Charles soul. While the others prove to be team players on the group numbers, Taylor appears aloof. Thankfully, the headliner’s time on stage was minimal and didn’t completely erase the goodwill many of his tour mates offered beforehand.
American Idols Live Tour Dates
Howard Cohen/Miami Herald
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Barbra Streisand Concert News and Tickets
August 8, 2006 by muziknewzCheck out Barbra Streisand tickets here.
Barbra Streisand, who claimed that her New Year’s Eve performances seven months ago in Las Vegas would probably be her last U.S. concert appearances — has announced plans for her “final” public performances. The singer has scheduled Sept. 20 and 21 gigs at Staples Center in Los Angeles and Sept. 27 and 28 shows at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Tickets for the Los Angeles shows are scheduled to go on sale on July 30, while tickets for the New York shows are scheduled to go on sale on July 31.
Unlike the statements that preceded the Las Vegas performances, Streisand’s camp is leaving out the word “probably” and its synonyms in describing the concerts as her last. “Ms. Streisand has chosen to conclude her public performance career in the two cities most closely associated with her work,” her manager Martin Erlichman said in a statement.
Streisand’s New Year’s Eve performance at the MGM Grand Garden arena in Las Vegas set a single-concert box-office record, taking in nearly $14.7 million, according to concert industry magazine Pollstar. With ticket prices that ranged between $500 and $2,500, the concert was also one of the highest-priced shows in history. Despite the prices, the MGM Grand said that the shows sold out within five hours, and a New Year’s Day performance was added.
A short time later, Streisand announced plans to embark on a short tour of Australia. In a statement announcing the Australian performances, Streisand acknowledged stating that her concert engagement at the MGM Grand would probably be her final one in the U.S., but she said that she wanted to fulfill a “lifelong dream” of performing for her Australian fans.
“My priorities have shifted,” Streisand said in a statement issued at the time. “I want to travel and enjoy my life. There are places in the world my husband and I want to visit and Australia has always been one of them.”
Barbra Streisand Tour Dates
October 2006
November 2006
Rob Evans/liveDaily
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