THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, March 26, 1996 TAG: 9603260032
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E3 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Music review
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
SUNDAY AT Hampton Coliseum, it was Tim McGraw, Faith Hill and pan d. monium.
Who was louder? The performers or fans? Toss-up.
McGraw's band was so loud, at times managing to drown out the boss. His voice is not that strong to begin with. On top of that, he had been nursing a sore throat.
Showmanship is McGraw's thing anyway. With a hard-working, excellent band behind him and plenty of lights and video all around, Mr. Excitement started his show with a gimmick that is becoming a standard in country music - descending on a platform that moves from near ceiling to stage.
McGraw is not much of a talker, but he is one energetic superstar, seldom staying in one spot, always getting the audience involved.
They know their cues, too. Usually, such interaction involves uptempo numbers. With McGraw, the fans join in on the hokey but effective ballad, ``Don't Take the Girl.'' He then segued into the song that has almost become his trademark, ``I Like It, I Love It.''
The audience loved the encore, a 30-minute jam that included ``Indian Outlaw.'' It was one wild finale.
Faith Hill, one of the world's finest country singers, opened the show. While she changed outfits every few songs - from jaw-dropping provocative to ``I'll-wear-this-to-work-in-the-garden'' - there was one constant: her beautiful, power-packed, passionate voice.
She also interacts beautifully with her audience, at times singling out a handsome dude in the front row and singing directly to him.
Reaction was tumultuous as Hill offered such hits as ``Baby, Let's Go to Vegas'' and ``Take Another Little Piece of My Heart.'' The excitement meter went off the board, though, when she did some gospel jamming with ``Walkin' On.'' On record, she sings with Shelby Lynne; on stage, she uses talented backup singer Lisa Gregg.
You can be sure of one thing. This is one performer who will stay on top of the heap for many years. by CNB