| Meat Loaf Concert Review | |
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Jacqueline 03:39 pm UTC 10/20/15 |
| Meat Loaf in concert, October 18, 2015, Phoenix, AZ Rating: Star4 **** Meat Loaf the artist is similar to meatloaf the meal in that you either love it or hate it. There is no riding the fence on Meat Loaf. You either love his over the top, bombastic interpretations of the over the top, bombastic songs of Jim Steinman or you shake your head and wonder, what’s the big deal. For Meat Loaf the artist, there was plenty of love from those gathered at the Arizona Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum at the Arizona State Fair in Phoenix on Sunday night, October 18, 2015. It had been five years since Meat Loaf last performed in Phoenix and this fall’s tour is Meat Loaf’s first tour in three years, after spending 2013 and 2014 in residence at the Planet Hollywood Casino in Las Vegas for the RockTellz & CockTellz series. Returning with Meat Loaf on this tour in the Neverland Express (the name given to Meat Loaf’s touring band), are guitarists Paul Crook and Randy Flowers, drummer John Meceli, Justin Avery on keyboards, keyboard and saxophone player David Luther, bassist Danny Miranda and Meat Loaf’s latest chanteuse, Cian Coey. With the release of Meat Loaf’s new album of Jim Steinman’s material, “Braver Than We Are,” pushed back until next year, the night’s song list was a sampling of Meat Loaf’s past discography, with seven of his twelve studio albums represented in his ninety minute set. But despite performing some deep cuts, Meat Loaf gave the audience what they wanted most, a presentation of five out of the seven songs found on 1977’s breakout album, “Bat Out Of Hell.” Even in his best days, Meat Loaf’s vocals could become somewhat strained when singing live, no doubt due in part to the demands that singing a Steinman penned tune can place on a voice. Sunday night’s show will not go down as one of Meat Loaf’s better vocal nights. But it didn’t matter. The majority of those in the audience came to see the performer Meat Loaf, not necessarily the vocalist Meat Loaf. And, along with his stellar band, he can still perform. Give credit to the intensity Meat Loaf brings to the stage. As the band played the opening notes to “Runnin’ for the Red Light (I Gotta Life),” out came Meat Loaf, with a look in his eyes and a swagger that reminded you of a football coach ready to deliver one of the greatest half time speeches ever. Never mind that his voice may crack or he can’t hit all the notes. The fire in his eyes said “I’m Meat Loaf damn it and I’m in it ‘til it’s over and I just can’t stop.” The audience ate it up. Although many in the crowd stood from the onset, it took the fourth number, the familiar “You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth,” to bring those seated up to clap and sing along. Their reward? A smoking rendition of “Dead Ringer for Love” that followed which featured Meat Loaf’s duet with Cian Coey. Coey does not yet have the longevity to be fairly compared to long time Meat Loaf female foil, Patti Russo, but Coey’s vocals and playfulness were a highlight throughout the night. The crowd settled back for the lessor known “Los Angeloser” and “The Giving Tree.” The latter song featured a lengthy instrumental section, showcasing the talents of guitarists Crook and Flowers. It’s difficult to stay subdued at a Meat Loaf concert and if “Out of the Frying Pan (and into the Fire) didn’t get an audience member up, “All Dressed Up With No Place to Go” certainly did. Luther blasted an audience appreciated saxophone solo. The stage had been set for what the audience really wanted to hear. Meat Loaf disappeared to the side of the stage then returned to stage center in his letterman’s jacket, looking a tad nerdy and claiming he was a little nervous before launching into “Paradise by the Dashboard Light.” When cheerleader Coey bounded out onto stage, it was no longer cold and lonely in the deep dark night. It was smoldering. It wasn’t just Meat Loaf that was ready to love her until the end of time. Coey time and again brought the heat. Avery’s keyboards introduced “Bat Out of Hell,” earning yet another loud ovation. You weren’t going to hear the Meat Loaf vocals found on the original recording, but hearing Crook’s guitar wail, it was easy to be transported back to the first time your needle hit the vinyl on that recording and you realized you were listening to something you had never heard before. Those that were hoping to hear their favorite Meat Loaf power ballads were finally appeased with the encore’s first two songs, “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” and “I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That).” Fans loudly sang the opening number. Coey breathed new life into the second song. Her interpretation entranced the audience. The night ended as Avery came down from his keyboard perch and out Meat Loafed, Meat Loaf on the opening stanzas to “Boneyard.” The country rock song allowed Meat Loaf to have a little fun on rhythm guitar along with the leads of Crook and Flowers. Suddenly the trio was riffing the end to “Free Bird” before finishing up with a reprise of “All Revved Up With No Place To Go.” Meat Loaf looked as energized as he had been all evening. It was clear from Sunday night’s performance that people still love Meat Loaf. This being a State Fair performance, admission was free, yet almost all of the reserved seats (those that cost money) were sold out. Few people walked out during the performance (which is somewhat common at an Arizona State Fair show). Admittedly, Meat Loaf’s vocals were disappointing. But his band, Coey, the music and the legend himself, earned a long standing ovation and cries for more at night’s end. Set List: Runnin’ For The Red Light (I Gotta Life) | Life Is A Lemon And I Want My Money Back | If It Ain’t Broke, Break It | You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night) | Dead Ringer For Love | Los Angeloser | The Giving Tree | Out Of The Frying Pan (And Into The Fire) | All Revved Up With No Place To Go | Paradise By The Dashboard Light | Bat Out Of Hell | Encore: Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad | I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That) | Boneyard/Freebird/All Revved Up With No Place To Go | |
| URL: | http://www.examiner.com/review/concert-review-arizona-state-fair-goers-eat-up-a-serving-of-some-meat-loaf |
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