OTTAWA -- Bryan Adams did the impossible.
The Canuck rocker magically converted the Opera of the National Arts Centre last night into a stadium-rock arena at some points, and something akin to his MTV Unplugged concert at others.
Very surreal.
Yet the power-trio format of Adams on bass, guitarist Keith Scott and drummer Mickey Curry capably handled themselves, sounding echo-filled when the big kids wanted to rock (The Only Thing That Looks Good on Me is You, 18 Til I Die, Can't Stop This Thing We Started) and pristine when it came time for the acoustic balladry (I'm Ready, (Everything I Do) I Do it for You, I'm Ready). Looking like like three big teens in their 'all-white' glory, Adams and company hammering out hit after hit for the typically Canadian high school crowd.
Shrieking fans
And the loyal legion of 2,300-plus last night were on their feet shrieking and wildly prancing about for a good 21/2 hours.
It somehow transported me to 1980s Hoserville all over again -- Summer of '69, Run To You, Heaven, Straight From the Heart.
When Adams quizzed the crowd who he opened for when he played Ottawa in 1983, and responded with Honeymoon Suite, the old ghosts of moussed hair, synth rock and (egad!) Haywire came haunting back.
Luckily, Adams grew out of that. Or did he? His ability to churn out hook-laden melodies hasn't changed much. Even his plunges into Spanish sounds (Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman) and deep-South blues (If You Wanna Be Bad, You Gotta Be Good) can't escape the pop formula.
But on stage his showmanship was second to none. He joked with the band and his audience, even calling for someone out of the crowd to "get your ass up here" and sing harmonies on When You're Gone (the lucky lady was Caroline Periard of Gatineau).
Making it look so easy, Scott took centre spotlight for his guitar prowess and the odd Pete Townshend leap to boot, while Curry kept a steady beat behind the kit. As a bassist, Adams proved to be a solid anchor -- not bad for a guy normally suited as rhythm guitarist.
As for the all-white design -- amps, guitars, outfits, stage backdrops, lights -- hey, Adams has caught that it's January ... white sale month.
The only thing misssing was something off The Beatles' White Album -- okay, the "number nine" echoes on Cloud #9 will have to suffice.
Adams is back on stage tonight.
JAM! Rating: 4 out of 5
Canadian Tour Reviews
