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03/08/07 -
BANK OF AMERICA PAVILION, BOSTON, MA
Review by Christopher John Treacy (Boston Herald):
Adams still rockin' with songs straight from heart
How is it possible that Bryan Adams could even come
close to filling the Bank of America Pavilion on as busy a weekend
as this, not to mention in 90-degree weather?
Well, it’s possible because the Canadian rocks - plain and
simple. Nothing too complex, nothing really innovative or thinky,
just spirited four-chords-to-the-bar rock ’n’ roll. Although
his greatest success was 20 years ago, Adams never sank in the synth
sea that washed ’80s pop down the drain, opting instead to
fade into semi-obscurity, big guitar in hand.
Last night, his performance was solid, though perhaps a bit predictable.
Opening with “There Will Never Be Another Tonight,” his
tuneful rasp fully intact, Adams, now 47, looked trim and happy
in a black T-shirt and jeans. And judging by the enthusiasm of the
fans, many of whom were clad in gear from previous tours, he’s
got a lot to be thankful for.
Was it thrilling? No. Full of musical epiphanies?
Nuh-uh - although longtime collaborator/guitarist Keith Scott managed
a handful of worthwhile solos. But, as Adams commented himself,
his songs have held up in their ultimate simplicity. Peppered carefully
in between sturdy crowd-pleasers such as “Cuts Like a Knife,”
“Summer of ’69,” “Everything I Do (I Do It For
You)” and “It’s Only Love” were newer tunes
from his last two discs, “Room Service” and “18 Til
I Die.” The title track from the latter blended well with the
old material, but “Night to Remember” was schmaltzy, and
“Back To You” lacked personality. “Open Road”
fared better, with Adams wailing on harmonica during the instrumental
passages.
Above all else, he didn’t seem the least bit silly or sentimental
peddling his straightforward tunes, nor did he revel in any chart-topping
pinup glories of yore. Instead, he projected a forward-moving earnestness
that enables you to take him seriously in the present, even if “Heaven”
will forever remind you of prom night.
Opener George Thorogood’s long Beantown history stems from
having formed the original Destroyers lineup here and initially
signing to locally based Rounder Records. His righteous set was
built on refreshinglybasic 12-bar blues tunes that’d keep any
joint jumping. Thorogood may be getting older, but at 57 he’s
still plenty “Bad to the Bone,” which he proved with irresistible
bomber jacket classics such as “Who Do You Love” and “One
Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer.”
Grinning devilishly and strutting the length of the stage, Thorogood
struck the occasional pose and tossed out a pelvic thrust or two,
the joy he derives from playing live coming across with a contagious
charge.
Setlist:
There Will Never Be Another Tonight
Can't Stop This Thing We Started
Somebody
Kids Wanna Rock
Open Road
18 Til I Die
Let's Make A Night To Remember
Back To You
Summer Of '69
Everything I Do
Cuts Like A Knife
When You're Gone
It's Only Love
Heaven
The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You
Run To You
Straight From The Heart
All for Love
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