Savvis Center
December 15, 2003
St
Louis Dispatch Freaks of nature and death-defying
acts were among the things funny lady Bette Midler promised her
"I'm just trying not to
die," Midler said, referring to all the things she suggested
would be soaring onto and around the stage during the course of
the evening. Actually, the only things flying, and at a reckless
pace, were her quips. In classic, campy Midler fashion, the actress-singer rode out onstage straddling a carousel house onto a set decorated with an old Atlantic City amusement-park theme. "I have returned," the sassy singer said after jazzy opening number, "Kiss My Brass," also the name of the tour. "I can't believe so many of you came out of your spider holes to visit me." Over the course of nearly 2 1/2 hours (including an intermission), Midler and her vaudeville-like revue effectively rode the line between hilarious potty-mouthed hijinks of questionable taste and sweet sentimentality and sap, offering both as only she can. Midler's song choices often relied on the expected, which was fine, including "Wind Beneath My Wings" and "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," performed with vintage video of herself. She performed several cuts from "The Rose": the title track, "When a Man Loves a Woman" and "Keep On Rockin," which let Midler show off her brass section, which included members from Royal Crown Revue. A too-short though respectful tribute to the late Rosemary Clooney featured "Come On-A My House" and "Tenderly," featured on the Grammy-nominated "Bette Midler Sings the Songs of Rosemary Clooney." A third, "White Christmas," closed the concert. Midler also dusted off "Skylark," a tender ballad from her own second album. She honored another entertainer, vaudeville performer Sophie Tucker, in costume, with a shrill stream of lewd jokes that were admittedly bad. And Delores Delago, Midler's long-running mermaid character, embarked on a new adventure during an extended segment. During a gentler portion of the show, Midler stressed the need for tolerance as she performed "I Like to Be Told," a duet with the late Fred Rogers of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" on video. Continuing along this theme, she sang a ballad written by a friend in response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The song made way for one of her biggest hits, the wonderfully schmaltz "From a Distance." Midler does have a way with a ballad. Near the top of the show, she told the crowd, "I'm not retiring, and you can't make me." But by the end of the exhausting night, she'd jokingly changed her position. "I'm retiring. And you made me." Bruce Vilanch, St. Louis was beyond the beyond. The show is gorgeous, and Bette is in such good shape. She looks like Marilyn Monroe in "Bus Stop." And the material is working. Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln.....:) Brian P. Due to an unfortunate illness
by a friend, I went to the St. Louis concert last 1. Bette is interjecting local humor early in the show. This should be different in every city she visits. 2. The calypso take on From A Distance must have been left in Chicago. She did it normally in St. Louis. 3. In Chicago, she asked the audience to sing with her on two songs. Not so in St. Louis. I really kinda missed another opportunity to sing White Christmas with Bette. 4. Some of the Sophie jokes have changed. Interestingly enough, she messed-up the same joke in the same manner - that may just be part of the act! Another amazing performance. She just loves to entertain and it shows from beginning to end! Spencer B.
Bette showed off legs in this show including her "Rose"-costume dress and brown knee-high boots. And not only that, but Bette's performance of "When a Man Loves a Woman" brought the house down. Her voice was so pure and full of emotion that I fell in love all over again. I was a little upset to see
her not do "Mambo Italiano" at all but her opening song
of "Kiss My Brass" (when the band is shouting HEY! Bette
Midler! and she stops to say "I heard ya the first time!")
was a classic beginning and it blended it perfectly with "Big
Noise from Winnetka". Her sailor outfit was so gorgeous. All
years aside, Bette looked and acted as if she were back in the seventies
in her mid twenties. Unless you were a die-hard fan, you If I can, I'm planning on going again. |
crowd in concert at Savvis Center Monday night, along with warnings
of "(stuff) flying down from the rafters."
Seeing
Bette's show in St. Louis was incredible! She made references to
St. Louis which really amazes me with how much she goes into detail
about the city she performs in.