Portsmouth Ohio Show

[Stephen Stanley]

“Yes, I believe, oh yes, I believe, I believe in my soul,” that Eric Burdon is the greatest blues /rock stylist of our generation. A natural talent that he’s never messed with. I was not expecting the magic which he possesses on stage. Opening with a driven, “When I Was Young,” let me know he was not fooling around with some trip down memory lane oldies show. This was real! The delivery was fresh and filled with emotion. When he raged into ,”We’ve Got to Live Together,” there was no turningback; the soul show was on the tracks and not slowing down.

A music stand on stage held page after page of tunes to play. He freely shifted through his catalogue pulling out what “HE” thought was right for the moment. Something only seasoned bar bands like NRBQ or the Radiators are capable of. No scripted, nightly run of tunes to fill the show,but a personally tailored performance. Maybe a third of the show were Animal’s tunes, but what tunes they were. A saucy reggae version of, “Don’t Let BeMisunderstood,”stopped a stupefied audience in their tracks. Everyone rose to their feet realizing that this Hall of Famer was singing a Hall of Fame tune that has few equals. Cool does not describe the persona that is Eric Burdon. His every move on stage is musically driven. Grabbing a tambourine or cow bell during the downbeat, holding both fists in the air to declare, “We Got to Get Out of This Place,” or simply bowing his head to croon what you feel when, “Your Down and Out.” He owns his position in music history due to total self actualization. Van is there with him, Ray of course was with him, John Lee inspired him, but he is to himself iconic in every degree. I only wish that you could have been with me for this, again, magical evening. I dare say, that there is little chance in my life time that this will be repeated. Peace Steve

[Martin Langvik]

Thanks for sharing this great review! You didn't write down the setlist, did you? I wishywishywishy he'll come to Northern Europe sometime soon!