Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood play 1st Mariner
Here's the deal: Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood are not really country stars -- at least not on their current joint national tour. On Wednesday night at a packed 1st Mariner Arena, the two sounded more like pop rockers with faint country overtones.
And that's not necessarily a bad thing. Underwood, perhaps the biggest-selling newcomer in the "country" field, opened with an amiable hourlong set that felt a bit tentative here and there. Although the former American Idol possesses powerful pipes and is an undeniable beauty, she doesn't really "own the stage." Something about Underwood -- her movements, her banter -- felt mechanical. However, she effortlessly and impressively hit all the high notes, and there were plenty. Her set evenly dipped into her two monster-selling albums: Some Hearts and the latest, Carnival Ride.
Urban was far more engaging. After all, he's a proven vet. He seemed much more relaxed and "in the moment," stalking the long catwalk that divided the audience on the arena floor. He punctuated just about every number with a showy guitar solo. Urban and his energetic five-piece band mixed unplugged versions of his greatest hits, including "I Told You So" and "Raining On Sunday," with revved-up rock takes.
Read a full review in Friday's Today section.
Above: Associated Press photo of Carrie Underwood
in a taped performance on last night's Idol Gives Back.
Comments
I thought the concert was awesome! Sure Keith is more comfortable on stage - he's been performing for many more years than Carrie. But I thought she did an excellent job too. They both put on an AMAZING show!
Posted by: Lauren | April 10, 2008 9:36 AM
Saw Keith Urban in Nashville back in November (Underwood was not opening for him then). Probably the best show I've seen in the past 2 years. I regret I missed this show because of a prior commitment.
Posted by: Ruben | April 10, 2008 10:58 AM
Carrie has a great voice, but she's a screamer. She doesn't have any finesse at all when it comes to singing. She mistakes yelling for singing with power. She also has no personality - which I think is probably shyness. But still, she comes across as arrogant and "deer in the headlights." You couldn't pay me to go see her.
Posted by: marcy | April 10, 2008 12:54 PM
I drove 3 hours to see this show - it was well worth it! This may have been the best show I've ever seen! Both Carrie & Keith were on top of their game last night -- I was really impressed!
Posted by: Rob | April 10, 2008 3:50 PM
Shame on Nashville, shame on Urban, shame on Underwood for claiming to be genuine in any genre. Find a niche kids.
Posted by: Robert Waymon Brundige | April 10, 2008 10:25 PM
I had to work or lose 12 hours of overtime pay. I certainly wish I could've been there. :o(
Carrie is the penultimate American Idol, in that no one will ever be a better representative of the position.
Posted by: Stump69 | April 11, 2008 4:26 AM