Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, September 9, 1995 TAG: 9509110050
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MARK MORRISON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
But hey, if it works, why not stick with it?
Jackson brought essentially the same show Thursday night to the Salem Civic Center that he has brought around the last few years now.
And why not? It's a formula that has treated him right.
Sure, he mixed up the order of his songs. Still, most of the hits were included. ``Don't Rock The Jukebox,'' ``Love's Got a Hold On You,'' ``Someday,'' ``She's Got The Rhythm (And I've Got The Blues),'' ``I Don't Even Know Your Name,'' ``Chattahoochee.'' The list goes on.
Even some of his selected cover songs were the same, like the gospel standard ``What Kind of Man, Jesus Said.'' It has been on his set list for a couple of years.
And sure, his stage configuration was a little different from in years past. But his visual presentation basically remained intact, with several large video screens showing live shots of Jackson and his band on stage, spliced with scenes from some of Jackson's music videos.
The combination of video and live action works well, though, giving his concerts a touch of video flash without going overboard. Other acts could do worse than to adopt this concept.
Jackson also used the same line in describing his six-member backing band. ``They're hotter than Georgia asphalt,'' he said.
Repetitive he might be, but at least he's accurate.
As always, too, Jackson smoothly exhibited his aw-shucks charm. And, as always, the audience of 5,452 responded with enthusiasm. Thursday's concert, by the way, marked the sixth time Jackson has played in the Roanoke Valley since 1990.
To his credit, he did offer a few new songs, including a ballad he said he recently wrote, titled ``I'll Try,'' and a remake of an old George Jones song, ``I'm a Fool, Fool, Fool For You.'' Both sounded like they could be future hits.
But in the end, it was back to business as usual as Jackson encored with his good-time take on ``Mercury Blues,'' the same song he encored with last year, and the year before that.
And so what? It's a great encore song.
The opening act Thursday night was relative newcomer Lari White.
White has a pair of albums and a few minor hits under her belt, but she is of the former-beauty-pageant-contestant variety of country singers who, as Jackson might say, has gone country. She was well-rehearsed, all smiles, bright and bouncy, but she was less than electrifying. And less than authentic.
by CNB