The Post-Standard's review of the Kid Rock show in Syrcause, NY on 9/5/09
Kid Rock turned the final show of the state fair's Mohegan Sun Grandstand series into so much on Saturday night.
It was a celebration of life. A party. A visual and audio extravaganza. And a demonstration of the attitude and musical talents that have made this man from Detroit a pop culture celebrity.
Kid Rock rapped and Kid Rock rocked. He talked profane. He sang sexual lyrics.
He showed that when he sings "Cocky," he can indeed walk the walk as well as he talks the talk.
The big and happy crowd, meanwhile, enjoyed all of the above.
When Kid Rock asked for the raising of lighters or cell phones before his beautiful song "Amen," way more cigarette lighters flamed in the cooling night air than cell phone lights. That was perfect, too, as the star made sure to light up a big cigar himself - and down a shot -- when he ran to the top of the stage do take care of some turntable scratching.
The singer showed multiple instrumental talents. Sitting front and center with his Twisted Brown Trucker Band behind him, Kid Rock played on piano a deliriously soulful version of Sly Stone's everyman song "Everyday People." Behind the drums, he beat out the time for Ted Nugent's raucous "Cat Scratch Fever." On guitar, well, he strummed acoustically for his own down-and-dirty break-up song, "Half Your Age."
The star was serious, thanking the fans for spending their hard-earned money on tickets to see him when times are so tough. And he was playful. He bellowed "Whoooo" and said, "that's a redneck mating call."
His fans soaked up his words as reverently as they did the rolling rock of "Rock N Roll Jesus," the feel-good southern rock of "All Summer Long" and the country pop of "Picture."
They loved his old swagger in "Son of Detroit," his Mick Jagger snarl with the Rolling Stones' gem "Tumblin' Dice," his joyful vibe with the Georgia Satellites' "Keep Your Hands to Yourself" and his new sizzle in "So Hott."
They came to party, celebrate life and enjoy the music. Success, success, success.
Uncle Kracker's band welcomed the Michigan singer to and from the stage with a scorching instrumental version the classic "Gimme Some Lovin'."
That wasn't the only hot one from the past that made its way onto Unkle Kracker's play list.
Of course, he turned his most soulful voice on "Drift Away," the song that captured lightning in a bottle twice when Uncle Kracker took Dobie Gray's hit back onto the charts.
Uncle Kracker joked about the age of the crowd before that one.
"I do see a lot of old people here," he said. "It's OK. That's not a bad thing."
Certainly not when he and his band are mashing up classics with Uncle Kracker's hits.
Alice Cooper's "Be My Lover" found its way into "In a Little While."
Steve Miller's "The Joker" split up "No Stranger to Shame."
AC/DC's "All Night Long" crept into "Follow Me."
Uncle Kracker also made an effort to be a man of today. He soared with his current single, love song "Smile," and showcased a couple of fun and humorous songs from his album that's due out next week, "My Girlfriend" and "I Hate California."
SOURCE: The Post-Standard (slide show of pics included when clicking on the link)
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