Chris Isaak Plays It Cool at the Ryman Auditorium
Chris Isaak played the Ryman Auditorium last night in Nashville and I can't remember the last time I've had so much fun at a concert. Man, that guy is cool. "That's the most excited I ever get is when I play this theatre," he told the crowd, recalling a time that his manager was booking sold-out gigs in New York City and Paris when all he wanted was to play in Nashville. His reverence for old-school music is evident in his flashy suit, seductive crooning and simple storytelling. And his band was totally in the pocket -- no wonder, because they've been together for 20 years.
Groovy covers, too. He sang "Only the Lonely" as a tribute to his friend, Roy Orbison, as well as a harmonious cover of Stonewall Jackson's "Don't Get Angry" with his brother, Nick. Most memorably, he dashed into the balcony about 10 minutes into the show and serenaded the crowd with Elvis Presley's "Love Me Tender." (Believe me, the women up there would've taken that song to heart, too.) When one ardent fan planted herself on his lap, he exclaimed, "I came to Nashville and got a lap dance -- I got a lap dance in a church!"
Isaak knocked out a few songs from his new album, Mr. Lucky, sounding stellar on "Summer Holiday," "We Let Her Down" and "Best I Ever Had." But, oh, those classics - "Wicked Game," "Somebody's Crying," "Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing," "Let Me Down Easy," "San Francisco Days" and so on. He excels at live performance whether the band is at full-throttle, or quietly lined up near the lip of the stage. Plus his enthusiasm is incredibly contagious, and when he asked us to get up and dance, we did. (Nashville audiences usually shrug at such suggestions.) When I wasn't busy shaking it in the pew, I spotted the head of Warner Bros. Nashville in the audience. I have no doubt that if Isaak was so inclined, he could make a killer country album.
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itchycorn says:
I have seen Chris perform in Las Vegas and he is one of the greatest entertainers to ever grace a stage! Plus I had a chance to meet him after the show and he was extremely nice!
Redmaz says:
Isaak IS cool. His Christmas special is one of the best I’ve ever seen, and his band “Silvertone” are tight as can be. They were on his HBO show together too. Now he has The Chris Issak Hour on A&E which is a talk/music show. Some of his recent guests have been Yearwood, Glen Campbell, and Buble’. It’s a good show.
Willa says:
I always felt and know that CHRIS ISAAK is the Verrry BEST!!! I sure missed this CONCERT and I am all bummed out not being able to get the cash to come see CHRIS!!!
what a great review CRAIG SHELBURNE!!! LOVED it from word to word..never boring is CHRIS ISAAK EVERRRR!!you summed CHRIS up, and I T-TOTALLY AGREE!!
Allison says:
He is totally right! Chris is awesome live and the one-liners he says are hilarious. It was the best concert I’ve seen in years! Chris rules. By the way, Summer Holiday is the a fantastic song–so sentimental and beautiful.
Mary Yancey says:
I was at the concert in Nashville on 7/23 and yes, it was awesome. I was lucky to get a VIP pass and had front row seats………….talk about some hot flashes! He is a truly really nice person to talk with. Wish there would have been more time to talk at the meet & greet.