CALGARY - When you're serving up a feast for thousands, the last thing you want to do is bring out the main course too early.

Meat Loaf, aka Marvin Lee Aday, apparently never learned that simple lesson of entertaining.

How else can one explain his decision to treat the roughly 10,000 fans at the 'Dome last night to his career-making hit Paradise by the Dashboard Lights just minutes into his two-hour show?

While the early highlight got the crowd moving and singing along, it left Mr. Loaf with no place to go but down.

Another bizarre decision was bringing Aspen Miller along as his duet partner on the Bat Out Of Hell III tour.

While the young San Diego opera singer certainly has the pipes for the job, she proved to be an odd match for the 250 lb. rocker.

Prancing around in a barely-there cheerleading outfit and white hooker boots, Miller came across as an uncomfortable school girl who desperately wanted to flee the old man stalking her on stage.

Yes, she was smiling as she straddled the Meat and when she planted a big, wet kiss on his lips, but it seemed forced and unnatural.

The whole production was reminiscent of Meat Loaf's duet with American Idol runner-up Katherine McPhee on the finale last season -- a little creepy.

As for the main attraction, he apparently has not come to terms with the fact he'll never be the sort of guy who could score the head of the cheerleading squad.

However, what he does have to offer is a catalogue of epic, unforgettable hits that are distinctly his own.

As he ripped through such classics as I'd Do Anything For Love, Two Out of Three Ain't Bad, You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth and Bat Out of Hell, with the over-the-top theatrical style he's famous for, his powerful voice held up well.

In fact, Meat Loaf was at his best when he put the melodrama aside and concentrated on the music.

Unfortunately, those moments were few and far between and the show slipped into a strange mix of musical theatre that never seemed to work.