I wasn’t sure what to expect from Tom Keifer, the lead singer from Cinderella, who is currently on the road enjoying a solo stint. I’ve had some bad experiences with rockers trying to recreate 1986 but Keifer lives in singer-songwriter engrossed Nashville. So because of this, I had a good feeling about this particular show. Keifer has waited a long time to release his first solo record (“The Way Life Goes” will be released on April 30.)
The evening started with a great opening acoustic set by John Corabi (former lead singer of Motley Crue), who entertained the crowd with songs from his newest album “John Corabi Unplugged.” John and his band (D.A. Karkos, vocals/guitars, Topher Nolen, bass/vocals and Cheney Brannon drums/vocals) harmoniously set the mood for Keifer.
It was 9:15PM when Keifer and his band took the stage to a warm welcome of screams! Instantly they jumped into “Sick for the Cure” from the album Heartbreak Station. Early in the set he asked the crowd what time the club closed, “…because I feel like playing ‘til 3AM.” After the third song, they brought out stools and acoustic guitars. He introduced his band and told the crowd he normally doesn’t say much when he’s on stage. Nashville known for its songwriters, Tom quipped “…so do you want me to tell some stories?” The fans applauded with conviction. The first song of the mini acoustic set was a bluesy version of “Shake Me,” which was written in 1981 shortly after his mother bought him a Gibson Les Paul. He introduced the next song as being co-written with his wife Savannah and Chuck Turner. Savannah was invited to take the stage and accompany him on the next two songs. He described “The Flower Song” as the story of meeting Savannah, who he called his soul mate. They finished the acoustic set with “One for Rock N’ Roll,” a song about being forever young.
Quickly, the electric guitars were back in the hands of the band and their rock n’ roll ignited the jam packed room. But after two rocking numbers, Kiefer grabbed his acoustic again. He seemed to be really enjoying the storyteller approach. “I remember driving to the studio in 1985, and I thought what if it all went away?” That’s how he introduced “Don’t Know What You Got (till it’s gone) which his wife joined him on for harmonies. In the middle of the song, Savannah left the stage and Kiefer switched to his electric for the lead. This elevated the song to a room exploding intensity. He was in a full blown Mick Jagger strut and his signature raspy scream was dead on.
After a crowd pleasing “Coming Home” and “Shelter Me,” he left the stage but shortly returned for an encore. Kiefer walked the staged touching hands with everyone in the front row. His version of the Beatles “With A Little Help From My Friends” was a perfect climax to the evening. He screamed and shook so hard he dropped to the floor. He closed the night with “Gypsy Road” and sincerely thanked the fans for 30 years of support. I have to say I’m glad I didn’t listen to my first intuition. This was one the best shows I’ve seen in quite some time.
Tom Keifer Set List:
Sick for the Cure
Ain’t That a Bitch
A Different Light
Shake Me
Ask Me Yesterday
The Flower Song
One For Rock N’ 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
We would like to thank Amanda Cagan of ABC-PR for the credentials to cover the show.
