2012 TOUR REVIEW THREAD-PLEASE SHARE YOUR 2012 MB CONCERT ADVENTURES WITH US HERE!!!!

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Gail on June 7, 2012 at 10:37pm

Age has changed Michael Bolton, concert at Sands Event Center shows

 

Posted by John J. Moser at 11:39:52 AM on June 7, 2012

When Michael Bolton broke onto the charts in the late 1980s, he was a crooner in his mid-30s whose powerful voice could blow the lid off a song, and whose histrionics and seriousness were just as powerful.

Michael Bolton in file photo

But Bolton has aged – he’ll be 60 in a few months -- and something has happened to him, his concert Wednesday at Sands Bethlehem Event Center showed.

Maturity has mellowed Bolton’s voice, dialed back his delivery and lightened up his demeanor.

And he’s far better for it.

Bolton’s show was entertaining not just for the singer’s voice – still very dynamic (more about that later), and now better focused – but for his performance. He entertained, showing a deadpan humor – he told the two-thirds full crowd of perhaps 1,700 it was OK to take pictures, but urged them to get “the most flattering light possible.

At one point he even got on an audience member’s cell phone to give well wishes to a friend who missed the show to have surgery. (It seemed so sincere, the audience applauded.)

But it was Bolton’s voice people came to hear, and he sang 18 songs in 90 minutes on stage, plus had his band play two instrumentals and duet partner Kelly Levesque sing a medley of three songs he wrote for other artists -- Cher, Streisand and KISS (!) – for a 110-minute show.

With the opening song, the early hit “Soul Provider,” it seemed like it might be the Bolton of old, as he quickly was reaching for big notes – he ended with one – stalking the stage carrying the mic stand and clapping.

But the second song, The Bee Gees “To Love Somebody” – performed as part of a two-song, seated set with him playing acoustic guitar -- was appropriately soulful and very good.

Bolton covered the range of his career – now at 17 studio albums and more than 30 Top 40 hits -- from his early hits to cuts from his 2011 disc “Gems: The Duet Collection.” One from that record, Bob Dylan’s “Make You Feel My Love,” done in a three-song set with Levesque, was among the show’s best.

Another duet with Levesque, his No.1 “How Am I Suppose to Live Without You,” allowed his voice to be very dynamic (though it might have been better solo). And on “The Prayer” (which he sang to taped music, without the live band), he sang in Italian – virtually operatic, with a huge final note, to a partial standing ovation.

As with that song, Bolton covered a range of styles, including actual opera, on Pavarotti’s “Nessun Dorma,” also sung in Italian to recorded music – also to a standing ovation. The Ray Charles hit “You Don’t Know Me” was slow and soft, jazzy and reverent. Sinatra’s “That’s Life” (for which Bolton changed into dark suit) showed he’s no Chairman of the Board, but he put a nice personal spin on it.

“I Said I Love You … But I lied,” on a dark stage, was muted and sensual, though it also ended with a high note. And he played a more than serviceable lead guitar on the early rock/blues standard “Sweet Home Chicago.” The audience clapped along spontaneously on the song, which also had a hot sax solo.

Bolton didn’t completely transcend his over-the-top personae. He dramatically snapped his fingers in a circle as if a ticking clock on “I Hope It’s Too Late.” And “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” was more histrionic than soulful. But the audience liked it, spontaneously clapping along.

But even on “When a Man Loves a Woman,” he resisted going over the top, instead making it his own. He also went into the audience to sing it.

He closed with his biggest hits. “How Can We Be Lovers” had nice instrumentation, and he sang it very well – better than on his recording. “Steel Bars,” which also was full-bodied but restrained, was among the best of the night.

He close the main part of his set with “Time Love and Tenderness” – perhaps the best example of how restraint has made a good song better. He shook hands with the front of the crowd, which had rushed the stage as if it was a rock concert. (There was a parade of picture-takers to the front all night.)

He opened his encore with U2’s “Pride (in the Name of Love),” acquitting himself quite well and passionately.

On the finale, “Georgia On My Mind,” the old Bolton resurfaced. With a hot sax solo, Bolton belted as if his back was to the wall, and as if he was in his mid-30s again.

But for that song, to end the concert, it was appropriate. And with maturity, Bolton has learned that.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Robin on June 7, 2012 at 10:43pm

Thanks Gail, this was very true, good description of the show. And yes we rushed the stage like a rock concert, we admit it!!LOL  That was one thing I forgot to mention in my review-we did have people going up front by us in the center aisle all night taking pics and the guards asking them to go take their seats. That never really stopped!!LOL

 

Thanks for this article too!!!!

Robin in MD :)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kathy Rosario on June 9, 2012 at 10:16am

Great article Gail!!! Thanks!! And yes Robin...for once a review that told truthfully HOW the crowd was responding to Michael. Refreshing read instead of having the critic write what they think of the concert. Lesson learned....writers watch the crowd!!! lol

Kathy and LAFD Bob

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by 1etjcanlc47eo on June 9, 2012 at 4:37pm

Hi, Robin, I admit it, guilty, loved it, want to do it again now. I was out of my seat and sitting on the edge of it, too. Gee, isn't it great to feel that way still? Enjoyed your fun comment.

Kathy in Tulsa

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by sylvie boisvert on June 8, 2012 at 1:38am

Thanks Gail, very nice article and I appreciate you transfering it, take care sweetie. Hugs, sincerely, Sylvie from Canada

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by robin rehder on June 8, 2012 at 7:10am

Thanks Gail & everyone that brings these articles to us. I felt like I was there through Robin's review & the article. Good job on all. Boltonnut from L. A. CA who loves life.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Robin on June 8, 2012 at 2:25pm

The next show on MB's tour is at  Seneca Niagara Casino Theatre, Niagara Falls, NY on June 9th..

Anyone attending you are in for a fantastic time..Please come on in and post afterwards.  We need some reviews from the other shows to fill this thread with fun and the excitement.

Robin in MD:)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by sylvia doughty on June 9, 2012 at 12:18pm

Here are pictures that were with the articles about Michael's concert at Bethlehem.....have put one in photo thread and Robin got another three in birthday card but here they are over here for everyone to see.................

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please forgive my indulgence but you all know me and photos....so.....what more do you expect !!!!!!!! LOL.

 

Sylvia.   Your wee Scottish friend.

27

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by 1etjcanlc47eo on June 9, 2012 at 4:30pm

Thanks for the great pics, Sylvia. I hoped to get ones like these in Norman but my camera on phone cooperated most on the one I did send, unfortunately the rest did not show up well or were blurred. Thanks, Wee One, Kathy in Tulsa

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by meggy on June 10, 2012 at 8:39am

These are Awesome pix. as well...he's got his eyes closed and really getting into it:)! Thanks for sharing!

Mary (Meg's mom)!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dianna Shipman on June 18, 2012 at 12:12am

Sylvia they are wonderful pic's thanks for taking the time to post them for us

Love Dianna xxx

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by sylvia doughty on June 18, 2012 at 10:32am

No problem Dianna and great to read you back on here !! :)))))

 

Sylvia.   Your wee Scottish friend.

27

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• …
• 95
• 96
• 97
• 98
• 99
• …
• 326
• Next ›
• Page