Stew Review
 by Leeming

    First of all, if this review has a decidedly Old 97's flavor, then I apologize in advance. I am more familiar with them than Chris Isaak.

    Let's start with how I came about getting tickets to this concert. It started with a phone call at work from Jeff Kay at 93.3 The Merge. All I had to do was answer a question about my favorite band (R.E.M.). The question was name three cover songs that R.E.M. has recorded. Out of many choices, I selected Superman, First We Take Manhattan, and Dream (All I Have To Do). So, I was in. However, not only did I win tickets to the show, I also had the pleasure of watching Chris Isaak and his band do a short set in the studios of The Merge, along with about 15 other people. Very cool. After the performance, he graciously signed the free CDs we were provided as well as posed for pictures. I forgot my camera. Dang it.

    The Old 97's opened the concert with a taut 45 minute set that mainly consisted of songs from their 1997 release "Too Far To Care". All the staples were played, including "Timebomb", an emotional rendition of "Salome", a raucous version of "W. TX Teardrops", "Streets of Where I'm From", and "Big Brown Eyes".

    The latter featured guitarist/vocalist Rhett Miller at his best while singing the lines: "I've got issues/Yeah/Like I miss you/Yeah". In fact, Miller was quite the energetic front man all night, with his spindly legs featuring knee bends and ankle turns that were just painful to watch. While seeing him practice these daddy-long-legs maneuvers, I was reminded of a line in a song that was noticeably absent last night ("The Great Barrier Reef") in which the lyrics state "We were both made of elastic". Now I know where that line came from. At least in my mind.

    Along with the songs listed above, the Old 97's also played their latest hit "Nineteen" to a very appreciative crowd. It was clear that most of the audience was there to see Chris Isaak, but it was also evident that the opening act had a very loyal following and opened the ears of some who were new to their music. In fact, after their set, there was a rather large exodus of Old 97's fans who were leaving the building. Too bad. As much as I like the band, I am glad I stayed for the headliner.

    Now, before I go any farther, let me state that I don't know the names to many of Chris Isaak's songs, but that did not preclude me from thoroughly enjoying his set. His band was decked out in red sport jackets, red pants, and black shirts while Isaak himself was dressed in a blue sequined jacket and pant set that was very reminiscent of the ostentatious country and western days. His performance started relatively subdued, but, true to a promise by the Old 97's, he was soon getting louder, more animated, and more spontaneous.

    In the first set, Rhett Miller said when they started touring with Chris, he was afraid his band was going to be too loud for Isaak's concerts. However, he added that after the first two shows, he was wrong. Said Miller "We will all be wet by the end of their set." Well, I don't know about wet, but Isaak and his band were not afraid to (for lack of a better term) flat-out rock. I was particularly impressed with his lead guitar player Hershel. (Forgive me, I didn't catch his last name.)

    Highlights from Isaak's set included "Wicked Game" due to the crowd reaction, "Forever Blue", "Somebody's Crying", and the extended "Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing". The last was a true delight, featuring many solos and some story telling riffing by Isaak. He and the band came out for a long encore, as well. I lost count at four songs. Sorry. During the encore, Isaak wore his "mirror" suit. Damn, I bet that was heavy. It did add some neat lighting effects, which was better than the "deer in the headlights" action that had been going on. The lighting director loved panning the bank of lights up toward the crowd, creating a nice blinding effect. That got old. It was also the only thing about Isaak's set I didn't enjoy. I was pleasantly surprised at what he had to offer. I was expecting a rather laid-back and tight set. What I got was an actual concert in which Isaak proved to be a true entertainer.

    And here is one piece of advice if you ever get to go see Chris Isaak live while he is playing in Texas. If you are from Borger, Tx and have a driver's license to prove it, he will give you a free body massage and a beer. He said he's never had to pay out this bet. I would love to think I had something to do with him finally losing this one. The bet has to do with that being the hometown of his drummer, Kenny Dale Anderson.

    All in all, the concert was a very enjoyable experience, and I would highly recommend seeing either of these acts should they come back to town. In fact, I hear the Old 97's are going to tour with Wilco. I will definitely be at that show, with pen in hand.

John