The Examiner review the Kid RockTerminal 5 Benefit show in New York 9/2/09
Just a few weeks after a headlining concert at Jones Beach, rap / rock / country music star Kid Rock played a benefit show at Terminal 5 last, nearly filling the former nightclub with fans of Kid Rocks unique blend of musical genres.
Last nights show found Kid Rock playing an eclectic set of rock and country songs, with bits of hip hop mixed in. Fans who remember Kid Rocks early MTV, strippers n booze persona might have been surprised by the musicians opening songs, including Rock N Roll Jesus and Amen. Clearly influenced by the artists he gets played alongside on Country Music Television, Kid Rocks newer songs are packed with religious and Bible Belt themes, even as he still lays claim to sex, drugs, and rock and roll.
Backed by the gritty, yet ultra-talented Twisted Brown Trucker Band, Kid Rock did an admirable job of dancing the fine line between hard rock and country music, playing "American Bad Ass" and "You Never Met A MF Quite Like Me", only to switch to country guitars for a cover of George Satellites "Keep Your Hands To Yourself" and "All Summer Long".
Despite his early successes coming largely from his mashup of heavy metal and hip hop, Kid Rock did surprisingly little rapping over the course of the show, tacitly acknowledging that his success and relevance in 2009 has come from his abandoning his hip hop roots in favor of the country sound. Nonetheless, the band did an enjoyable mash-up of Wasting Time over the music of Guns N Roses Paradise City, and Kid Rock literally hopped on top of the turntables to scratch out 3 Sheets To The Wind, simultaneously sipping a glass of Jim Beam.
Especially notable was the soft, piano introduction to hit song Cowboy, and Kid Rocks touching rendition of the ballad Picture, with a backup singer covering Sheryl Crow's verses, and the entire crowd joining in for the choruses. The audience also enthusiasticaly sang along to "Half Your Age", and ending with breakout hit "Bawitdaba", the several thousand people packing Terminal 5 went berserk, singing and even moshing along to one of the heaviest songs to emerge from the rap-metal era.
Few other artists can genre-hop as fluidly and enjoyably as Kid Rock, and both rock and country music fans got satisfying set lists last night, and a stellar performance from the band.
There was no doubt that Kid Rock masterfully blew up Terminal 5 last night. He played enough rock and metal songs to appease rock fans, and exhibited the finest level of showmanship. Kid Rock never lays claim to be the best at any of his genres, but his unique blend of rock, rap, and country continues to be innovative enough that he is sure to be a powerful name in the music scene for a long time to come.
SOURCE: Examiner
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