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13/02/09 - PANTAGES
THEATRE, WINNIPEG, MAN
Bryan tries something different for the first time in an Adams show...
an intermission, resulting in a longer set list. Checkout the setlist
below.
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Review by Darryl Sterdan (Winnipeg Sun):
Friday the 13th turned out to be a very lucky day for Bryan Adams fans.
They didn't just get to see their hero performing live. They got to see every fan's dream show: A laid-back, one-of-a-kind, extra-long acoustic performance in the intimate setting of a small soft-seat theatre.
Yes, the CanRock icon left the big amps, the big band and the big show at home for last night's sold-out show at Pantages Playhouse. But he did bring along most of his big hits. Along with a personality and a sense of humour to match.
Casually clad in a simple black dress shirt and blue jeans, equipped with just a sunburst acoustic guitar, a harmonica and sheet music stand, and situated on a bare-bones stage decorated and illuminated by just a handful of mini-spotlights on tripods and some footlights, the 49-year-old Adams delivered a genial show that was part Unplugged episode, part Storytellers instalment, and wholly satisfying and entertaining to a politely enthusiastic crowd dominated by middle-aged couples.
Opening with the classic Run to You from 1984's Reckless and moving into Tonight We Have the Stars from last year's 11, Adams established the pattern for the show, seamlessly switching back and forth between old favourites and newer material, with the occasional cover track and rarity. He had plenty of switching to do over the course of the night: Making the most of the final acoustic date before a series of band concerts, he played an elongated show, jamming 29 songs into two sets that lasted over two hours. Basically, you got almost every Bryan Adams song you ever wanted to hear.
And you got them played the way he apparently prefers to play them these days. At one point Adams explained that 11 started off as an acoustic album, but he switched gears midway and brought the band back in. "Then as soon as we put the album out, I started doing acoustic shows," he laughed. "I just can't make up my mind."
He made the right choice last night. Songwriters will tell you great tunes don't need bells and whistles; if they're truly great, they'll still work played solo on an acoustic guitar. Adams put that theory to the test -- and most of his work passed with flying colours. Stripped to their bare necessities, the older tunes held up well -- and in some cases, took on new life. The more recent tunes got to be the acoustic works they were initially intended to be. And while the lone-guy-with-guitar format did get a little samey-sounding now and then, Adams was savvy enough to bring keyboardist Gary Bright onstage to tickle the ivories on a grand piano and add some extra depth and dimensions.
But in some ways, the songs were only slightly more entertaining than what came between them. Unhampered by the distance, darkness and overwhelming crowd noise that usually separate him from his audience at arena shows, Adams was relaxed and down-to-earth, clearly enjoying his ability to interact with fans.
And interact he did. He gently chided latecomers ("Glad you guys
could make it ... Should I start over again?"). He explained
the inspiration behind cuts like Summer of '69 ("This song is about
deliberate nostalgia -- and a sexual position!"). He talked about
having his music used in movies like Hope Floats ("I just went all
fuzzy and thought: Lunch with Sandra Bullock!"). He dispensed Valentine's
Day advice ("Guys, I'm here to remind you: Do not f--- this up").
He accepted flowers from fans and gave out hugs. He took pictures
of the crowd making Valentine hearts with their hands and promised
to post them on his website. He took requests -- and not in a fake-pretending-to-hear-the-next-song-on-his-set-list
kinda way.
And he played around with his tunes, injecting joking asides into his lyrics ("Here I am ... without my band") and performing part of Please Forgive Me with a countrified twang.
The crowd played along every step of the way. They cheered every opening melody. They whooped at every chorus. They clapped and sang along unbidden. They even served as backup vocalists on songs like Straight From the Heart and Kids Wanna Rock. And of course, they gave him a standing O at the end of night, drawing him back for a singalong encore that closed with All For Love.
By the time the house lights went up, Adams had not only proved that great songs don't need bells and whistles. He proved that great performers don't need them either. Rating: 4/5
Setlist:
Run To You
Tonight We Have the Stars
Back To You
The Best Is Yet to Come
Here I Am
Let's Make A Night To Remember
Can't Stop This Thing We Started
I Thought I'd Seen Everything
When You Love Someone
Heat Of The Night
Seven Spanish Angels
Not Romeo Not Juliet
You're Still Beautiful to Me
Cuts Like a Knife
This Time
Please Forgive Me
Summer Of '69
***Intermission***
Everything I Do
One Night Love Affair
Heaven
Walk On By
The Right Place
Oxygen
Kids Wanna Rock
I'm Ready
The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You
Somebody
Straight From The Heart
All For Love
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