  New Kids On The Block perform Thursday night at Casino Rama. (Photo courtesy of Peter Turchet) |
RAMA, Ont. - It was once more around The Block - and then some - at Casino Rama on Thursday night as ‘80s Boston boy band, New Kids On The Block, performed in front of hysterical, screaming female fans during the first of two sold-out shows.
And even for the most cynical, like those who remember their lacklustre performance at the MuchMusic Video Awards a couple of years ago, NKOTB proved to be no old men on the curb.
It probably helps that since releasing their first album in 14 years, 2008’s The Block, brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Joe(y) McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood - now all in their late ‘30s, early ‘40s - have been on the road non-stop, beginning with the first night of their reunion tour at Toronto’s Air Canada Centre in September 2008.
“It feels good to be back north of the border again,” said Wahlberg, wearing his trademark baseball hat.
After a running countdown, the five singer-dancers opened the 90-minute show with The Blocks’ "Lights Camera Action," with a blinding white light backdrop that initially showed them in silhouette.
Dressed in various shades of black, grey, silver and white with plenty of sparkling bling, and backed by a drummer, bassist, keyboardist, turntablist, it felt like the New Kids’ heyday all over again especially with the loudest response for such oldies as "Right Stuff," "Tonight" - which saw them wander into the audience to high-five excited fans fans - "Step By Step," and "Hangin’ Tough."
“We need Danny and Joey” requested Wahlberg of the two members who got held up in the crowd. From that frenzied moment, the fivesome attempted to take it down a notch to no avail.
“You don’t mind if we slow it down,” said Jordan Knight during an acoustic set of ballads - "I’ll Be Loving You," "If You Go Away," "Please Don’t Go Girl" - that saw the five men sit down with their musicians on acoustic guitars.
“We just want to take our time and tell you how much we appreciate you and love you.”
But when McIntyre hit a big note down on his knees during "Please Don’t Go Girl," even Jordan commented: “Joe, you got them riled up.”
“That first night we got back together, that first show in Toronto, we’ll never forget it,” said McIntyre. “It’s good to be back in Toronto. I know we’re an hour or so outside of Toronto, but we can call it Toronto.”
Added Wahlberg; “You got me emotional now Joe. That first night of our reunion in Toronto, in all of my years of performing, that’s one of my favourite nights.”
As a group, they then performed The Block’s "Single," leading up to more inspired solo turns, before finishing up the show as a quintet on "Full Service" and "Summertime" - both from The Block - the ballad "Close to You," and "Step By Step" and "Hangin’ Tough" with a bit of "We Will Rock You" thrown into the mix.
A shirtless McIntyre, dressed in a black tuxedo jacket with tails, wowed the crowd - and recalled the best Chippendales dancer ever - as he performed The Eurythmics’ "Sweet Dreams" and "Twisted."
He was followed by Jordan Knight, who came out to do "Never Let U Go" mashed up with P.M. Dawn’s "Set Adrift On Memory Bliss" while Wahlberg rapped, before Wahlberg’s solo outings on "I Got It" and "Cover Girl."
“I love you Canada,” said Wahlberg, who eventually held up the Canadian flag and held it close to his heart.
“And if you make me love you anymore I’m going to have to get some sort of passport and become a Canadian citizen.”
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3 out of 5 stars
SET LIST:
Lights Camera Action
One Song
Danger
Favourite Girl
Right Stuff
Click Click Click
Dirty Dancing
Tonight
I’ll Be Loving You
If You Go Away
Please Don’t Go Girl
Single
Sweet Dreams/Twisted - Joe(y)
Never Let U Go/Set Adrift On Memory Bliss - Jordan
I Got It/Cover Girl - Donnie
Full Service
Summertime
Close To You
Step By Step
Hangin’ Tough/We Will Rock You
