I am not a big country fan, but I do love live performance and last night at Fiddler's Green my wife and I, along with 15,000 other crazies got sucked into the vortex that is Tim McGraw. The opening act, Lady Antebellum was nothing short of spectacular as well. But I think to call this a “Country Show” is to miss the reality of what these artists have achieved and are contributing to the current music scene, across all genres.
Let's start with “Lady A” as the die-hards call them. They are not a traditional country bad, no fiddle player, steel guitars or cowboy hats. To be honest I had only heard one song of their's prior to the show. The hit from 2009 Need You Now. While the songs sounded country at time, the vast majority of songs could easily be heard on any radio station in, no matter what the format. The group also did an outstanding version of Tom Petty's Free Fallin' that was as good as the original. The entire set was full of tight song writing and the standard fare of country lyrics. (You can never go wrong with the lyrics of a good country song. ) The backing band were all great musicians, including a lead guitarist doing an outstanding impression of Willie Nelson's former hair braids.
It does say something about the crossover of genres within music. The song used by the band to come out onto stage was 1901 from the French band Phoenix. Perhaps one of the best songs and albums from 2009. just shows to me at least the diversity in the marketplace of music.
I will tell you this. Lady A is definitely on the list of albums to buy the next time I am on iTunes or at the used CD store. They have got my attention and perhaps we will even try to get to there next gig in Denver, sometime in the fall at the Paramount.
Now to Tim. First off there was the ramp up music when the lights dropped Genesis In the Air Tonight, visions of Mike Tyson air drumming, and then the preview to his next movie with Gweneth Paltrow, as a spiraling down country star, Country Song. The video of him on a Harley, walking up on stage, Lights Shadows and here we go. The next 1 Hour and 45 minutes of fun.
(For the record Tim McGraw is just 3 month older than I am and my wife does not look at me the way she looks at that guy. Just saying.)
I have not had that much fun at a show in years. Even seeing Iron Maiden at Fiddlers in June, was not as light hearted and fun as this. I knew maybe three songs in the set, but that did not take away any of the enjoyment. McGraw is a great showman and I hope I can see him again. I have enjoyed McGraw the actor in Blindside and a couple of other flicks, and he is just as charismatic on stage. (I know this is going on a limb, but is he our modern day Frank Sinatra?)
This brings me to the point of this babble. It really doesn't matter the genre, but a great song is a great song. McGraw has ton of them, and it was especially true when he and the band played the Elton John classic Tiny Dancer. The song is almost 40 years old and he made it sound fresh and a hit that you would here on any radio today. It's a great song, just like the Petty tune played by Lady A, great songs are great songs. I can't wait to see what the next 20 years of McGraw will give us and I hope this is not the only time I see him. Same with Lady A, I look forward to hearing what they will come up with next.
Speaking of great songs, Rush in just 15 days, Those are some great songs.
