Tom Keifer at The 20th Century Theater – Cincinnati, Ohio – 2/27/13
Tom Keifer came to the 20th Century Theater last Wednesday night. It was the second to last night of Tom’s solo tour, and quite frankly I didn’t know what to expect. It has been a few years since I have seen Tom perform with Cinderella. It was 2010 at the M3 Rock Festival to be exact. That was a killer show then, and as many times as I have seen Cinderella perform, the band, and more importantly Tom Keifer has never disappointed me.
I still remember the first time I saw the band play back in ’87, and won’t ever forget it. I remember the long line that I waited in for tickets at the now defunct Ticketron for the Cinderella/ Bon Jovi show. The line extended halfway around the mall. The fans in line were quickly disappointed when it was announced that the show sold out, but a second show was quickly announced. In my eyes, and ears, Cinderella blew Bon Jovi off the stage, and I fell in love with the band from that day forward.
Night Songs may have gotten Cinderella in the door for me, but it was Tom Keifer’s song writing and blusier material on Cinderella’s later albums that had me coming back for more and more.
Last Wednesday night’s show was a pleasant surprise. Keifer’s set was a good mix of Cinderella songs, and Tom Keifer’s solo material from his up and coming album The Way Life Goes (due out April 30th). Tom’s history with his vocal surgeries is well documented. Well believe me when I say, Tom Keifer has never looked or sounded better than he did last Wednesday night. His voice is in fine form, and he can still pull off all of those trademark screams that he is known for in Cinderella.
As far as the new music? Tom’s solo material is a little more bluesy than Cinderella’s style of hard rock, but it awesome nonetheless. My current favorite from the new set was “Ask Me Yesterday”, but I truly loved all of the new songs. It almost seems unfair that we have to wait until April to purchase his new CD.
Tom’s solo band has quite a few music vets including Paul Taylor from Winger (keyboards, and Paul Simmons (Petra, Reverend Horton Heat, Black Oak Arkansas), and rounded out by Tony Higbee (guitar) and Billy Mercer (bass). I thought it was a very nice touch for Tom to bring out his wife Savannah Snow to help sing some of the songs that she co-wrote on the new album. It was also cool to see Paul Taylor again. I haven’t seen him play since the 90’s (with Winger).
I loved the storyteller aspect of the show, where Tom talked about the song writing of several of his classic and soon to be released tunes. I also enjoyed the nice twist that Mr. Keifer company put on Cinderella’s trademark hit “Shake Me”, as well as the other songs performed this night.
As a whole, it was a tremendous night of rock and roll. I am quite glad that I got to see Tom perform again. I hope Tom Keifer will schedule more dates in the spring and summer to support his new album. The new songs are outstanding and need to be experienced in a live setting.
Don’t forget to pick up The Way Life Goes when it is released April 30th!
The Set List for the show was:
Sick for the Cure
Ain’t That A Bitch
A Different Light
Shake Me
Ask Me Yesterday
The Flower Song
One For Rock and Roll
Solid Ground
Cold Day In Hell
Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone)
Coming Home
Shelter Me
Encore:
Little Help From My Friends
Gypsy Road
Leave A Comment ↓
Thanks for posting the review. I was curious about what it would be like.
A great, great show Kent! Far better than I expected. I wish I could catch this again somewhere. Tom is such a great song writer / performer.
I drove over from Indy and I was totally worth it! The entire show was amazing. Even though Tom has been sick with the flu, he held nothing back and left it all on the stage. Just amazing.
Agree 100% Natalie! Glad you got to see the show!