A rock concert with a difference: this is 'Anything For Love' - a 3 hour extravaganza of back-to-back hits by Jim Steinman, by long-time Meatloaf impersonator and singer Steve Steinman (no relation) and Lorraine Crosby, with full backing band and vocals.
The stage was set: a large skull-headed bat taking pride of place centre stage along with a motorbike, whilst the guitarists, drummer, keyboard player and backing vocalists took positions on podia surrounding them. There were pyrotechnics, smoke, and more lighting effects than imaginable throughout the show, and there were some lovely costume changes too.
Steve Steinman - famous for being Meatloaf on TV's 'Stars In Their Eyes', has made a career out of singing the Jim Steinman songbook, especially those associated with Meatloaf, and he even made a cameo appearance this evening as Meatloaf to sing a duet with Lorraine Crosby (who was the original female singer on Meatloaf's hit 'I Would Do Anything For Love'). Steinman owned the stage this evening, being something of a stand-up comedian, compere, and lead singer all rolled into one. At times he was crude and cursing; but the audience didn't seem to mind, lapping it all up as part of the whole act.
Among some lesser known songs, many hits were showcased this evening including, 'Anything For Love', 'Two Out Of Three Aint Bad', 'Dead Ringer For Love', 'For Crying Out Loud', and two of my personal favourites, 'Total Eclipse Of The Heart' and 'You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth'. Crosby sang the Celine Dion hit, 'It's All Coming Back To Me Now', and Steinman started the second half with a lovely tribute to Jim Steinman who passed away in 2021, with another of his more famous songs, 'Heaven Can Wait'.
The two female backing singers however deserve much of the credit. They never stopped! Singing harmonies, dancing continually, moving small set items, and basically giving their all to the show. Well done Trixabelle Bold and Emily Clark.
This was a full-scale touring concert for fans of not just Meatloaf but of the whole Jim Steinman ouevre, and his music was lovingly showcased. The only (rather large) problem both my companion and I were having throughout the concert was the sound level. Even despite it being a rock concert, the sound levels were set simply too high - Steinman's banter and compere information was lost, muffled and blurred because of it, and there was occasional feedback during a couple of the songs too.
The whole evening finished with (of course) a huge 'Bat Out Of Hell'! Thrilling, loud, and faithful!
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 28.10.21
Same identical problem in Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 09/07/22 I'm afraid. Spoiled the experience for me. Seems to be a recurring issue that's gone under their radar, which is a shame for the paying audience.
ReplyDeleteWe have just had exactly the same in Eastbourne this evening and it spoilt it for us too and several others
DeleteI felt this was more a glittery karaoke performance than a 'Meatloaf Story'. No professional showmanship.Terrible jokes and badly timed audience interactions during songs. Sadly just not my cup of tea at all.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree. Brighton the same, show was brilliant but the sound levels all wrong. Lyrics are a big part of Steinman but they were so difficult to distinguish due to the over loud band.
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