**** 1/2 (out of five stars)
I saw country superstar Keith Urban last night at the Grandstand at the great Allentown Fair. I had never seen him in concert before. Country music is just OK to me,but I have always liked Urban's cross-over style, country yet pop/rock spiced in too. He is at the end of a long world tour in junction with his latest album called "Ripcord."
It was a perfect evening for a concert, warm but cool after the sunset, with a breeze blowing. The crowd nearly filled the fairgrounds with tons of people ( mostly female, 20-60) packed into the massive grandstand and the standing room-only section in front of the stage.
Urban is one of the best guitarists in the world and he didn't disappoint at Allentown. He played a lot of songs from Ripcord ( which was fine by me)but sprinkled in some chestnuts from his impressive career.
Here are some highlights:
* The opening songs were scorchers, "Gone Tomorrow, Here Today" and "Long Hot Summer." "Break On me", the emotional ballad form Ripcord was a nice change of pace early on.
* Keith was checking out the many signs in the crowd ( while taking a much-needed breather) and called a young , female kindergarten teacher up on stage for a relaxed, fun banter. The singer then called her boyfriend on the stage, where Urban hinted jokingly about getting engaged. They all ended up taking a selfie at the end.
* I never saw a performer interact more with their fans as Urban did. He was constantly talking to the crowd, thanking "Allentown" or " Pa" for coming out.He roamed the stage,calling the audience "family." * During "You Look Good In My Shirt" Urban surprisingly left the stage, making his way up one aisle, as deliriously happy fans watched him go to the front of the grandstand, calling out "Who's got the good seats now?"
He suddenly gave away the green electric guitar he had been playing to a delighted female fan before making his way again by clawing, adoring fans back to the stage to finish the song. Apparently he gives away a guitar at every show.Again, he wasn't afraid to interact and get close to the fans.
* Carrie Underwood was shown on the video screens, doing her duet with Urban on "The Fighter." "Blue Ain't Your Color" was done nicely; "John Cougar, John Deere John 3:16" was spirited and got the crowd cheering, clapping and singing along;"Wasted Time" closed the opening set.
* The encore consisted of a really old song called "You Are Everything To Me", done acoustically, no band, and the grand finale was "Raise 'Em Up", Then Urban did something I had never seen before.
As the band members took their bows and disappeared off-stage, Urban hung around and shook hands and rapidly signed autographs with the front row. Even while people start to file out, Urban was still signing still. It looked like he was having such a blast too that he didn't want the magical night to end.
Two giant semi-trucks were backed-up to the back of the stage, the equipment was quickly loaded on, even as fans flocked out into the night, and it was onto the next show.
* The guy isn't old-49- and he is in obviously great shape, but I was still in awe of his energy,which pretty much lasted the entire time he was on-stage ( a little over 2 hours). He's got a quick sense of humor and seems to be a nice guy. In fact, one of the criticisms of Urban while he was a judge on American Idol was that he was too nice to the terrible singing contestants. He always laid out his rejections with an apology.
All in all, a great show! Enough songs to keep everyone happy. On a beautiful late summer night, it was all one could hope for.
Urban's opening act was a new, young singer named Lindsey Ell. The difference between her and any other young, female, blonde and pretty Country/Rock singer was that this girls played lead electric guitar during her 45- minute set.
Her original music wasn't anything special, but give her credit for trying and for her energy. Not easy being an opening act, but the crowd was cordial. They didn't boo, especially since it seemed like her set dragged on forever.
The highlights were actually two covers: "Are You Going My Way", the classic song for Lenny Kravitz .and a refreshing "Beat It" from Michael Jackson.
At first I thought, 'Beat It?' Give me a break. And I immediately remembered Jackson, the album "Thriller", and strangely, allegations of child abuse.
But then it was OK. No Eddie Van Halen on guitar, but OK.
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The Allentown Fair itself was fun. Typical fair food ( I haven't had funnel cake in ages), events ( Marvelous Mutts, dog tricks; pig racing and goat judging; and a real cowboy from Idaho, displaying hiss western skills on such things as roping, throwing Bowie knives, quick draw and fancy six-shooter gun handling); and and lots of arts and crafts to buy.
Parking was easy and the lay-out of the grounds was accessible for the most part.
Going back tomorrow for more funnel cake and the country group, Rascal Flatts.
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