| Concert Review of Rod Stewart at BankAtlantic Center on Fri Jan 12, 2007 |
| Event Date |
| Fri Jan 12, 2007 |
| Source |
| Miami Herald |
| Concert Review Preview |
| Rod Stewart's Sunrise show in need of retooling BY HOWARD COHEN Rod Stewart opened his concert tour in Sunrise Friday night with a show in need of retooling. Rod Stewart is in a precarious position as he launches what is being dubbed a return to his rock roots on a major tour he opened Friday at a nearly full BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise. Stewart has been singing covers for so many years now and has had such commercial success doing so -- first on a series of standards discs and then his recent ''rock'' CD in which he embalms pop tunes by Bob Seger, Bonnie Tyler and Bread -- the veteran performer had a hard time reconnecting with not only his audience but himself for much of his opening night. Blame some of this on first-night snags. Stopping to ask his band, ''What's next?'' is excusable. But there was little distinguishing his covers of Creedence Clearwater Revival, Cat Stevens and Elvin Bishop from his own material and that's egregious. It all felt like covers. Even musically exciting run-throughs of Infatuation and (I Know) I'm Losing You, a Temptations tune he once made his own in 1971, felt as if they were sung by a Rod Stewart imposter. His raspy, soulful voice has held up quite well. At 62, he looks fit. But for large stretches of the first half Stewart appeared as if he were loitering up there, seldom taking advantage of the vast in-the-round stage to hit all sides of the arena, too often performing from its distancing center spindle instead. Stewart's patented charisma and showmanship had left him. In its place was someone akin to a QVC pitchman with all the scripted enthusiasm these people use to sell blenders, rugs and garden tools. ''Here's a song from Rod Stewart's fantastic No. 1 album,'' Stewart said in introducing the title track Still the Same. It was at least the third time the singer referred to himself in the third person with the tag ''No. 1 album'' as if he's so tickled to be able to say his name and ''No. 1 album'' in the same sentence. . |
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| User Comments |
| 1/12 sunrise florida- opening night, the sound was real bad, the round stage is terrible, it is hard to see rod at times, boring and I have seen him over 20 times, this was real bad. |
| Loved all and the sentimental stuff and look forward to the next concert!! |
| 1/12/07 Sunrise, Fl Opening Night. While most 63 year old men are talking hip replacement, Rod Stewart's body parts appear well oiled and going strong. He still strutts the stage like a spastic peackock, swings his legs up, down and all around, and wags his butt like a puppy happy to see you. That's not to say Father Time has steered clear of one of America's favorite rock stars. With front row seats last evening, I was struck not only by how small he actually is (5'7 with elevator shoes/ 5'6 with sneakers, and weighing in at 145 pounds), but there were moments when his shirt unbottoned at the waist to reveal the vestages of a few too many beers. And no one appeared more conscious of his thinning scalp than Rod Stewart himself. All too often, he was fussing and fluffing his limp, sweat-soaked hair and everytime he returned from a brief disappearance behind (under, actually) the stage, he emerged with a dry, spiked coif a la Rod Stewart. Often known for his impeccable sense of style, his clothes appeared to have been purchased off the clearance rack at Sy Sims. And evidently, his tailor returned to Italy prior to his recent purchases. Does he voice remain irresistibly whiskey gritty? You bet. But you needed to strain to hear it. My friend commented on the number of times she saw Stewart instruct the band to "lower it". I disagreed, saying the count was much higher than 5, and that didn't include the "down" hand signals he gave--all to no avail, I might add. The appeal of Stewart's voice is not in it's volume, strength, or projection, but his one-of-a-kind set of vocals. Unfortunately, his back up singers and the intrutements frequently drowned Stewart out. At intermission, people all around me were commenting on how they "couldn't hear or understand him with all that noise", and "would have preferred staying home and listening to him on CD". Pity, really. The selection of songs, particularly in the first half, were for the most part, a disappoitntment. The two folks behind us ordered a drink "To Go". Wondered if they could get a refund on their $1000 investment. The second half was better, in part because some of the selections showcased his voice (and less sound from the instrunemts), in other, because they were the Rod Stewart Oldies but Goodies. The backup singers outfits and choreography were third rate. The girls could all benefit from enrollment in Jenny Craig. Especially if they insist on wearing mini skirts and skimpy tops. Thighs of a defensive tackle. And what was with the cowboy hats and Go Go boots? I guess it was to compliment a series of country western songs Stewart sung during the first half (not on my Hit List, and best left to Tim McGraw), and "The Swim" dance the zoftig gals wiggled to. But I was itchin' to get a hook and drag them off the stage. With all the money this guy makes, you think he could afford to pay someone to put a decent video package up on the screens. Bad enough I had to sit through my family videos over the holidays, but even my father took better pictures than what was projected at the concert. And that ain't saying alot, believe me. What was also absent was a touch of class. He need not keep saying: "This song is from my Number 1 album". We know Rod. We already bought it. That's why we are here. No need to sound like a used car salesman. Nor did I appreciate Stewart telling his audience(me)to "buy a program, buy a drink, take a piss, and be back in 20 minutes". Was I not in Kansas anymore, Toto? Was this some smoked filled billiard hall with heavy metal music playing and bottles of beer flying? I had to only look around to see the majority of the crowd was closer to Rod's age than his eldest child's. Know your venue, Rod. And if you can't think of something clever and classy to say, pay someone to tell you. At times I was bored, frustrated, appalled, and disappointed. Other times, happy to have scrimped (and stolen the kids lunch money) to see my favorite entertainer perform. But not his best performance. Not by a long shot. |
| I thought he was great!!! He can still move like he's 30!!!!! He played lots of old songs and really kept me wanting more..... I would definitely see him again!!!! |
| 1/12 sunrise florida although not a huge fan of his latest work, Rod still has it. Liked the round stage. We thought it was great! |
| I totally enjoyed his performance. I thought his outfits were great, particularly the bright red top. He is a real showman! |
| Saw the concert in Jacksonville last night. We left early - I wanted to leave even earlier - it was awful - when the light show is better than the preformer, the performer should retire! After the break there were many empty seats - people milled outside at the bar while he was singing. I heard 3 women go ahead and call a cab. I wish I could get my money back - this is the worst concert I've ever been to - What was with the awful sax player, anyhow? Can't he afford to hire a decent band? The drummer was the star of the show and the 'fiddle' player (female) was okay - well she was a lot better than Mr. Stewart anyhow. My husband asked if I thought the sax player might have blown more than her sax before the show and that's why he hired her (she was blonde). It was tasteless, classless and just plain boring...wonder if I can get reimbursed. I've been to many concerts and never left beforehand, but we couldn't even wait for Maggie May - it was that terrible - I don't know if he had an encore or not, but maybe the drunks in the audience who kept screaming "Rod, Baby I know your thinking about ME..." and spilling beer on the people in front of us might have been the only ones left to 'demand' the encore. The security people behind me said it was the worst concert they had seen in years. Get a grip, Rod, get a grip - you don't even strut well anymore - you were just after my money and all you got is my disdain - and I used to be your fan. Oh yeah, he was dressed in rejects from the 80's - glam and gold glitter and sequins - maybe David Bowie or Liberace had a garage sale and he bought these clothes 20 years ago. Yawn... |
| We attended the concert in Jacksonville. The sound system could have been better. Rod Stewart was excellent. His performance gave no clue to his age. That is impressive! I saw him in the 70's. I saw him in 2007. I was not disappointed in either show. I still buy and enjoy his CD's. I have been a life long RICK NELSON fan. Rick will always be my #1 singer!! Rod is just one, of the many singers, I have liked. |
| The "Rodfather" was awesome, as always. It was a good show. He's still got it. He sounds great live and it was nice to see all ages were there to see him!! I have liked Rod since I was a little kid and I finally got to see him!! |
| Other than the muddy sound, bad video work, and questionable choice of songs, this was a fine show. |
| I think people need to be reasonable in what they expect from a 62 year old man. You knew how old he is before you bought the tickets, right? My wife loves him or I wouldn't have considered going. In all we paid over $300 for tickets, parking and babysitter and it was not worth that kind of money, not even close. I'd love to seem him in a small venue doing his old bluesy stuff, but this show should be at a flea market or something. Save your money for the next time U2 comes around, or even the Stones. |
| Really people, I cant believe you are making excuses because of his age. I saw his show in Jacksonville and it was awful. I was a long time fan, but no more. Other singers keep it going on after their 60's but it takes work and effort. Rod has just simply given up. |
| Wish I would have stayed at home. After providing me with many magnificent memorable concert experiences, the Rodfather added a few more hundred dollars of my money to his fortune and gave me the most pathetic concert experience of my life. Yes, he's slowed down and no longer works the whole stage with the same contagious enthusiasm and incomparable style--forgiveable given his age. But the sound was horrible--from row B on the floor! I made excuses for him on the way home to my fiance saying how it was opening night and the speakers were hung high because of being in the round and not wanting to obstuct the crowd's view etc. Sounds like the lame sound was still the same in Jacksonville. And by now, after forty+ years of touring, he should have sound quality and volume down to a precise science. Very inconsiderate to his long time fans for Rod to fail to control those concert variables that aren't dependent on his age, including his arrogant, somewhat condescending tone, when speaking to the audience at times. Bottom line: I should have stayed at home and saved my hard-earned money and respect for Rod Stewart. If you're a big fan, beware, this tour may taint your awesome memories. |
| WHAT WAS WITH THE CELTIC CENTRE STAND? Who the h*ll wants to look at that throughout a concert? Being Scottish & a Bluenose, this was an insult, there is 140 years of history there, so too much to explain but Rod knew that 50% of his British fans there, were P*ssed off by that. I guess he has too much money to care tho? I had a few people ask me at the break (I was wearing a Scotland teeshirt) what he had that there for & I told them that it was just ignorant. He really is getting sad ..What was with the old family videos??? & them all wearing Celtic strips ??? Is he sponsoring Celtic now?? Knew he was a supporter but didn't want it rammed down my throat!!The end was BAD.........He never said, goodnight, cheerio, thank you or even acknowledged the city he was at..........He came back on for one song & then the curtain came down again & then A tacky BANNER fell, saying that "Rod Stewart has left the building" ...A bit abrupt to say the least. I reckon this has to be his last tour as he is played out......on a CD you can't see how old & tired he is. I thought his fidler & drummer were great!!! The Celtic thing has now put off a few friends that were thinking about going to some upcoming dates on this tour. |
| The above comments were re the concert in Jacksonville 13 January. Be interesting to know if the Celtic stand goes on tour with him?? |
| The above reviews couldn't better describe my experience at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. I've seen in my life time nearly 50 concerts from all types of musical performers. This was the absolute worst concert AND THE MOST EXPENSIVE concert I've ever attended. My husband and I saw him in concert a couple of years ago when he was promoting Songbook.....one of the best concerts ever. I think Rod needs to stick to HIS old rock and roll and the classicals from Songbook. Why remake other artist's songs that actually were never hits to begin with? Yes, Rod's in his sixties but beware future concert goers.....for some reason this concert really attracted the OLD people. I think they were waiting to hear the classicals from Songbook. HE SANG NOT ONE! Be prepared to sit on you butt the whole concert because there will be some old person asking you to sit down (since they are not capable of standing) so they can see. EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING.........BORING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| Orlando, Florida, January 16. This concert was AWESOME! The stage was outstanding, he danced and walked and sang all around, even letting fans close enough to high five him and shake hands. If you can get close, maybe you can too!Lots of his old time hits, and some of the new mixed in. LOTS of interaction with the audience, and he looks great. This is my tenth time seeing him, and he still has it! |
| Saw Rod's concert in Coventry in July - have to admit it was one of his best and I've been to concerts from the Faces in 1973 (probably some 40 in total). Also as a Celtic season ticket holder it is just brilliant seeing so many Bhoys and Ghirls at the concerts and with the videos of Jinky and the fans it is almost like being at Paradise. Hail! Hail! |
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