The frigid Friday night was filled with the yelps of blue collar boys and country club girls at Germain Amphitheater. Turnout was great for WCOL’s Brad Paisley concert.
The first act was newcomer Jake Owen. He had a rockabilly look, rich baritone voice and a little hip swing that drove the women wild. His highlight song was “Yee Haw,” a ditty about Friday nights at the local bar.
“American Idol” Carrie Underwood followed. The mix was off and vocals were overwhelmed by bass, but she looked fantastic in jeans, a T-shirt and flowing blond ringlets doing the “Underwood shimmy.”
Her set began with fluff in “We’re Young and Beautiful,” “That’s Where It Is,” “Wasted” and “Starts With Goodbye.” She was stiff, but the band compensated for Carrie’s discomfort. Continuing with “Don’t Forget to Remember Me,” she waxed sentimental about her “momma.”
The high note was a country tinged version of “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” With a scarf bedecked mic stand, Underwood was channeling Axl Rose beautifully. Next came a smoking bluesy bit, “Before He Cheats,” reminiscent of Bonnie Raitt, followed by ballad “Lessons Learned” and number-one hit, “Jesus Take the Wheel.” The set closed with “Some Hearts.”
She is only country by grace of twang and a fiddle player in the band; her niche is Southern rock. If you’ve only heard her singles do not dismiss this Idol too quickly. With a wide ranged smoky voice, Underwood is a talent that gives a fantastic live show, which will improve as she matures.
Headliner Brad Paisley kicked off with “Celebrity,” featuring a star studded video. Paisley takes advantage of actress wife Kimberly Williams’ Hollywood connections with celebrity appearances in his show. The multimedia aspect makes the concert experience.
He continued with lighthearted standards “Wrapped Around” and “Me Neither.” Half the fun is guessing which color paisley-patterned guitar he’ll pull out next.
Paisley’s band is the best in country, with a fiddle, two guitars (in addition to Brad’s), bass, banjo, steel guitar and keyboards. The instrumentals, including “Monster Rag,” “Timewarp” and “Spaghetti Western Swing,” were accompanied by cartoons and movies. Slowing down with the hit “Little Moments,” Paisley showed his musical savvy, style and charisma that grants him a rabid fan base.
The show continued with the satirical song “I’ll Take You Back.” Following was the ballad “She’s Everything,” with Brad in a single spotlight and starry sky backdrop. The ballad “When I Get Where I’m Going” was a video tribute to Paisley’s idols including John and June Carter Cash, Steve Irwin, Dale Earnhardt, Ronald Reagan, John F. Kennedy, John Ritter, Elvis, Don Knotts, Keith Whitley, Buck Owens, the Challenger and the Twin Towers.
Paisley was not serious for long and followed up with “Easy Money,” an ode to fans and the joy of “doing what we love.” Because the band is from Ohio, with the exception of West Virginian Paisley, fan love was heartfelt.
“Whiskey Lullaby” featured decent stand-in Underwood covering Alison Krauss’ part. Next, a giant earth-design beach ball was tossed into the crowd as they kicked into new single “The World.” They closed with number-one hit “Alcohol” as lampshades appeared on audience heads, as told by the lyrics.
The band encored with “I’m Gonna’ Miss Her,” a tune about fishing addiction, and a stunning cover of “Fulsome Prison Blues.”
The show was defined by suave sincerity, style, sound and star signature. In one word: superb.
