THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 27, 1994 TAG: 9408270203
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
One hour entertainment for $22. That was the story Thursday night at the College of the Albemarle.
The barrage of advertising proclaimed ``two big shows,'' but there was nothing big about them.
Patty Loveless was the only act and she stayed onstage for just an hour.
It might be argued that residents of Northeastern North Carolina can save money and time by not having to travel to Scope in Norfolk or the Hampton Coliseum, but most country concerts in those locales cost less than $22 and they seldom go under three hours. Three acts are the norm.
Granted, listening to Loveless is an outstanding experience. She is one of those quality control singers - like Kathy Mattea, Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan.
At one point, some character in the audience shouted out, in hillbilly twang, ``That was extry good, Patty.''
That description fit most of the songs. Loveless has excellent material and the powerful voice to handle it.
A plus in the COA auditorium - three-fourths filled for the first show, much less for the second - is the sound. Every word was clear - no struggling to understand the lyrics.
The lyrics of ``How Can I Help You Say Goodbye'' rank among the finest ever penned. Add to that a beautiful melody and a Loveless vocal and it should surprise no one if that song becomes a country standard.
After opening the show with her own standards - ``Chains,'' ``Timber,'' ``Jealous Bone'' - Loveless concentrated on offerings from her two Epic albums.
Her current hot offering, which should wind up in the top five, is the ultra-clever ``I Just Can't Concentrate.''
Local concert promoters should concentrate on putting a ``money's worth'' show together. There are good audience-pleasing area acts aplenty that would love the chance to open for someone like Loveless.
They are not expensive, they do get the audience in a whoop-it-up mood and they help give patrons their money's worth.
Thursday night's concert was also hampered by a ``what-am-I-doing-in-this-place?'' and ``get-me-out-of-here'' attitude Loveless sometimes seemed to impart.
Because of her ability to sell a song, it must be said that the concert was quite good - what there was of it. ILLUSTRATION: CONCERT REVIEW
Patty Loveless in concert Thursday night at College of the
Albemarle.
Other shows at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Friday.
This review is based on the first show.
by CNB