THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 8, 1997 TAG: 9702080474
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Music review
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 52 lines
Virginia Symphony Pops and Kathy Mattea: classical class and country class.
Kathy Mattea offered - no exaggeration - the perfect concert Friday at Chrysler Hall.
Concertgoers must have felt like the surfer who searches and searches and eventually finds the Perfect Wave. Mattea, with her lovely voice, struck home with her hits and more so with little-known songs that were absolutely beautiful.
The standouts in that department were ``Summer of My Dreams'' and ``Love Travels.''
The summertime song, which came from a Mattea album but was never released as a single, is just plain gorgeous, sounding magnificent with the Virginia Symphony Pops providing background help.
``Love Travels'' is the title tune from her new album, released Tuesday.
From that album has come the hit, ``455 Rocket,'' a clap-along love song about a girl and her car.
One can only hope that wise heads will prevail and that ``Love Travels'' will wind up as a single. It should be a No. 1 hit.
Speaking of highlights brings us to an a cappella gospel song performed with her band, a presentation that brought the audience to goosebump city.
We heard the familiar, such as ``Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses,'' and ``Walkin' Away a Winner.'' All done so well, but the memories linger with the lesser-known songs like ``Ready for the Storm,'' a piece she picked up during a visit to Scotland.
She encored with another beautiful hit, ``From a Distance.''
The Virginia Symphony Pops presentations could not have been more appropriate. They were both exciting and fun.
The opener was Ferde Grofe's ``On The Trail'' from ``Grand Canyon Suite.'' Later, the pops performed Aaron Copland's ``El Salon Mexico.'' The conductor was Wes Kenney, who was dressed appropriately for the occasion with a neatly pressed cowboyish outfit.
It was obvious that Mattea and Virginia Symphony Pops were made for each other. Mattea noted at one point that the mix gives fans the opportunity to appreciate symphony music and country music.
``This was the most fun of all the symphonies we've worked with,'' said Mattea, who has been performing with symphony orchestras across the country.
Those not fortunate enough to get into Chrysler Hall's full house Friday should make it a point to get there tonight.
Mattea is outstanding. Don't miss her. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Kathy Mattea
KEYWORDS: CONCERT REVIEW