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| Boston Herald Meat Review | |
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daveake 11:08 am UTC 08/28/07 |
| By Christopher John Treacy Tuesday, August 21, 2007 - Updated: 05:07 PM EST While the fact that Meat Loaf still performs may be amazing, the performances themselves are not. But because the first twoalbums in the “Bat Out of Hell” trilogy respectively sold 37 and 15 million copies, folks still turn out in droves to see him. And it’s not as if he doesn’t give it his all. But with his 60th birthday coming next month and a diagnosis of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, a heart condition that puts him at risk for sudden death, rock ’n’ roll’s quintessential big boy seems worse for the wear. Monday night for a well-attended gig at the Bank of America Pavilion with his trusty eight-piece band, Neverland Express, Meat Loaf drew from all three “Bat” discs and left his other releases untouched. The band played a passage from “All Revved Up” before the Loaf appeared for “If It Ain’t Broke, Break It,” off the third and latest “Bat” installment. With his trademark red kerchief dangling from his microphone stand, Meat Loaf poured much energy into readings of “Out of the Frying Pan (And Into the Fire),” the amusing “Love Is a Lemon” and “You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth,” complete with the retro video clip featuring Karla DeVito lipsyncing to Ellen Foley’s vocal. But try as he did, the magic eluded him. He sounded weak, barely able to enunciate, and his hand shook profusely while he barked lines. Actually, it was hard to watch. In contrast, the Express’ playing brimmed with appropriate arena bluster. And the backup gals helped: in particular, Aspen Miller stepped out for leads during “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)” and “Paradise by the Dashboard Light.” Dave Luther’s “Rock and Roll Dreams” sax solo was memorable and inspired. But the better the band sounded, the more Meat Loaf seemed buried beneath its weight. By the oddball assortment of encores, including a cover of the Stones’ “Gimme Shelter,” this bat had flown. | |
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