|
LIVE
IN CONCERT! |
|
KEITH
HARLING |
|
|
Keith
Harling |
|
Reviewed By
Donn Jehs
The Stampede
Tampa, FL
October, '98 |
I had the pleasure of interviewing "Keith
Harling" as a debut artist for our June issue, and one of
the things I asked was when he'd be touring because I wanted
to see him live. It took a bit, but he finally came this way,
and on a warm Saturday night, in a bar filled with yuppie cowboys,
he put on a largely unappreciated show. This practice of having
the artist go on late in the evening, after ample opportunities
to consume a myriad of intoxicating beverages, may do wonders
for the pocketbook of the bar owner, but does a disservice to
the performer. There was a small but very delighted contingent
of fans, but most were more lost in an alchoholic haze than Keith's
singing.
In spite of this, Keith put on a good show, making every effort
to give the crowd quality entertainment. He opened with "Papa
Bear," which was familiar to most of the crowd, especially
since the local country radio station had been playing his music
the past week. His backup band, made up of former members of
several well known country performers, played solidly behind
him as he played guitar also. |
|
|
Keith was at his best telling stories between
songs, as he talked about Keith Whitley and sang "Never
Go Around Mirrors," and sang the title song off his album
"Write It In Stone," showing his deft touch with ballads.
He then got the crowd laughing with "There Goes The Neighborhood"
and "Walkin' Away," followed by a cover of "Crazy
Over You."
The best song (to my mind), and his next single, was "Three
Words Away," a powerful, but low key, ballad that may be
the ticket to getting some regular airplay around the country.
He followed with several cover songs, among them Ray Price's
"Heartache #1," an Alan Jackson tune, and "Low
Rent Rendezvous." |
|
|
His current single release was next, "I'm
Coming Back for You," closing out his show before coming
back to do a couple of songs ending with a reprise of "Papa
Bear." The show was entertaining music from an engaging
performer. Keith then sat and spoke with his fans as he autographed
their albums, T-shirts, hats and pictures, spending nearly as
much time as he did on stage as fans took pictures with him,
and you felt he genuinely enjoyed doing this.
This was his last stop in Florida before heading back home, so
I'm sure there will be a new tour coming soon - keep an eye out
for that tall , long blond haired, baritone voice - he's "coming
back for you." |
|
|
