Big & Rich, January 11th, 2008, Pacific Coliseum, Vancouver, Canada
They
were Big & Rich, but not too rich for the blood or the tastes of the
music fans that gathered in Vancouver at the Pacific Coliseum on January 11th,
to enjoy an evening with one of country music’s hottest duos, Kenny Alphin and
John Rich, collectively known as Big & Rich.
Alphin and Rich are flamboyant, have charisma, are dialed into their audience, and oh yes they are very talented. Alphin wore an old fashioned black top hat with a feather sticking out of it, while Rich walked on stage dressed in a full length (what we hope was) faux fur. They had guitars that when the back was turned to the audience flashed words in neon such as “Love”, they threw money, and lots of other goodies into the crowd.
Big & Rich opened with the country rock tune “Loud,” from their 2007 album Between Raising Hell And Amazing Grace. The song set the mood for an evening that was deserving of the headline status and advance billing that Big & Rich had received, during the several months, leading up to their Vancouver appearance. Boasting scintillating guitar licks, and yet retaining a distinctly country rhythm the duo rocked the stage, and their fans did not need an invitation to get up on their feet and dance.
They followed up their opening number with their 2004 single “Wild West Show,” a song that went to # 21 on the country charts, and sounds a little like an energized Willie Nelson melody. The easy rolling ballad, contains great hooks, and pays homage to the American Indian’s heritage.
Throughout the evening, on several occasions, Alphin and Rich took time to acknowledge the opening acts, Emerson Drive and Terri Clark, and to thank their audience for buying tickets for the concert despite the fact they had just come through the Christmas season. A particularly impressive moment during the show came when Rich pointed to four girls in their early teens that were standing a few rows away from the stage, and beckoned for them to join the musicians on stage. Rich asked the girls some questions, and then the duo gave each of them an autographed guitar. The girls then gave Rich and Alphin a group hug. It is often moments like these that can instill the seeds that inspire a young person to pursue their own musical dreams.
Rich and Alphin who first hooked up in 1999, to form Big & Rich, scored their first # 1 single in 2007, with “Lost In The Moment,” and as they performed the tender love song last Friday night, the crowd raised their lit cell phones and sung the words to “Lost In The Moment.”
To the crowd’s delight, the duo performed the rambunctious “Save A Horse Ride A Cowboy,” from their 2004, album Horse Of A Different Color, and the crowd joined in on the chorus for this fiddle-inspired ditty.
Bathed in blue light, Big & Rich shot out the lights, and pumped up the already stoked fans, with “Love Train,” before hosting a hoedown with “Comin’ To Your City,” from their 2005 CD of the same name. They settled things back down with “Between Raising Hell And Amazing Grace,” a song that possesses more classic country rhythms and lyrics.
What strikes you about watching Big & Rich perform in concert is their ability to maintain a high standard as musicians, singers and songwriters, while demonstrating a great degree of versatility. You have to also be impressed that even though they throw a wild and fun party on stage, they have not lost touch with their fan base, and remember to say thank you.
Riveting Riffs wishes to thank Live Nation and the management of Big & Rich for making it possible for us to review this Gig
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Reviewed January 11, 2008
