I went and saw Sheryl Crow at the Bradley Center with a friend last night. I had fallen instantly in love with her music in 1992 when "All I Wanna Do" was released.
I remember I was flipping through the radio dial and heard this song on WKTI, not a station I normally listen to. It was a song I instantly gravitated to and wanted to know who sang it. I think I purchesed the album, Tuesday Night Music Club, within the hour.
When I saw the video for "All I Wanna Do", she was just so girl next door cute I thought she would be more than a one hit wonder, I hoped she would be. The only thing I dont understand is why it took me 16 years to see her live in concert.
She had 2 opening acts: Toots Mayall, a reggae band and James Blunt. Mayall was a fun band to listen to. Very polished. James Blunt came on next and really surprised me. I was not too familiar with his music with the exception of his hit "Your Beautiful." I wasnt really looking forward to an hour of angst filled ballads. I was pleasantly surprised. His show was high energy and ranged from pop ballads to rockers.
Sheryl Crow came out and sang "God Bless This Mess" an acoustic ballad about the war. Her full band joined in afterwards. She was phenomenal. Her band consisted of 3 other guitar players, a bass player, a drummer, a percussionist and a keyboard player and 2 female back up singers. The sound was very full and the lighting really set the tone for the show.
SHe interacted with the crowd and showed a wry sense of humor too. When she was introducing her band, she would name them and their hometown. she said her guitar player was from a Milwaukee suburb and the crowd went crazy...then she introduced her bass player, and he was from another Milwaukee suburb...ironically her drummer was from another Milwaukee suburb...when her percussionist also happened to be from a Milwaukee suburb, Hales Corners (my hometown), the crowd figured she was giving them a playful wink.
The show lasted over 2 hours and it may have been the best live energy show I have seen. She has an amazing body of work. She played all her old hits and alot off her new album "Detours". My favorite song off that album is in fact "Detours" with "Love is Free" running a close second. She ended with my favorite Sheryl Crow song, "All I Wanna Do" during the obligatory encore. I have seen Sting several times and always come away impressed. After seeing Sheryl Crow,she may now be my favorite live performer. And after 16 years, I have fallen in love with her and her music all over again.
I've never seen Sheryl Crow live. But I saw James Blunt on Austin City Limits before and thought he was great! I had never been that big of a fan before, but now I really like him.
I agree Mz, seeing James Blunt in concert was what made me a fan too. If you ever get the opportunity to see Sheryl Crow...go. I think she is in Indy later this month.
She is an excellent performer. I really didn't like her first album. But I liked the stuff that came after. Not loved, just liked - you know, never a huge fan, but I saw her when she toured with Stevie Nicks. And she really was impressive. And sexy! Like, yeah she's attractive, but once she hit the stage, my friend & I were blown away by her sex appeal!
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"Tell me, does it move you, Does it soothe you, Does it fill your heart and soul with the roots of rock & roll? When you can't get through it you can listen to it with a 'na na na na', Well I've been there before" -"Been There Before" by Hanson
