The Bare Bones Tour 2011
Bryan Adams
The Palias, Melbourne
Friday, September 16, 2011
Written by Jacqui James
BRYAN ADAMS STILL has it! His husky voice and trademarked foot-stomping with countless hits entertained his second sold-out Melbourne show last night.
As a typical rockstar Bryan was fashionably late and there was no photography to be taken (although towards the end of the night there were noticeable flashes going off). He proved he still has the stage presence when I saw him in the 90’s. As Bryan entered the stage he wore a top hat then he laid on the front of the stage.
With his acoustic guitar and tight jeans (yes ladies, he still has a cute butt) he started with his massive hit Run to you and straight away his voice sounded as powerful, maybe more powerful than years ago. From the word go Bryan and the audience bonded as throughout the night some people yelled out compliments and requests. Bryan replied with joking with them.
For Back To You Bryan brought out his pianist Gary and Bryan played the harmonica which sounded great. Later in the night Bryan explained how his highly successful MTV Unplugged album was supposed to be low key but there ended up having over twenty instrumentalists onstage; yet jokingly said it’s his favourite album because it only took a day to make.
The 52 year-old who recently became a first-time Dad told the lively audience he had the idea for Bare Bones Tour two years ago, but then when performed I’m Ready he joked about the fact he had written it at the age 18 how it felt like it was only yesterday.
I had forgotten about some beautiful tracks Bryan had released over his career. Last night I was blown away with his performance of Do I Have To Say The Words. This song was one of my favourites from his arguably his highest selling 1991 album Waking Up The Neighbours and last night the song still moved me.
When it came to singing Everything I Do I Do It For You the whole audience became his backing singers, but were consciously not overpowering Bryan. At the end he blew a kiss.
Continuously he teased the anxious crowd who was waiting for Summer Of 69. He always finds it funny when people yell out 69! He revealed that Heaven was originally written for striper movie when he was twenty-three so he appologised to couples who had Heaven as their song.
Please Forgive Me has always been a serious ballad but last night in the second verse Bryan sang it with a really strong country accent. It was a pisser! He isn’t bad at an Aussie accent either.
He started writing Let’s Make A Night To Remember in Brisbane and when he left Australia 90’s left to Jamaica where intentionally he was going to stay for a year to write, but ended up staying for several years.
This would be my latest favourite quote – “Songs are little seeds of inspiration”. I couldn’t agree with you Bryan!
As it was bound to be Summer Of 69 o’clock was when everyone stood up and sang loudly. The last song was Straight From The Heart then Bryan promised it wouldn’t he another six years. He picked up his top hat and left the stage to a standing ovation.
(As previously said, unfortunately there was no photography allowed)
Here’s Bryan’s set list from last night:
Run To You
How Do Ya Feel Tonight?
Back To You
Here I Am
I’m Ready
This Time
Do I Have To Say The Words
Lonely Nights (By Request)
Let’s Make A Night To Remember
Can’t Stop This Thing We’ve Started
When You’re Gone
Still Beautiful To Me
In The Heat Of The Night
Not Romeo Not Juliet
Everything I Do I Do It For You
Cuts Like A Knife
Cloud Number Nine
Please Forgive Me
Summer Of 69
Walk On By
Heaven
Right Place
The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You
Took His Top Hat
Encore
Somebody Like You
Death Of Me? Friend In Me
Have You Really Really Loved A Woman?
No Time For Love
Straight From The Heart
English
Sounds like you really enjoyed yourself!
We did, thanks 😉