Reviews From Canada Concerts

[suziwong]

From:Jam Movies

Casino Rama, Rama, Ont. - January 12, 2007

By JANE STEVENSON -- Toronto Sun

RAMA, Ont. - Steven Seagal traded martial arts moves for blues guitar licks last night as the 55-year-old action star brought his band Thunderbox to Casino Rama for the first of two shows.

And let's just say, he's as good a musician as he is an actor.

While the surreal experience of seeing the six-foot-four-and-a-half star of such blockbusters as Above The Law and Under Seige wailing away on a Les Paul is hard to put into words, his hour-and-25-minute show was actually a lot better than I thought it was going to be.

Really, given my low expectations, Seagal had nowhere to go but up.

A bar band entertainer at best -- Seagal should stick to playing small venues and forget about singing entirely given his mumbled, often hushed delivery -- his performance was elevated by his sharp-sounding seven-piece band of Memphis players, notably a female drummer who he introduced as Baby Girl.

His strong-sounding male backup singer Jermaine Paul was also the most animated person on stage and even took over on lead vocals on one song, Do Dat Thing, reminding the audience just what a poor vocalist Seagal really is.


Touring in support of his second album, Mojo Priest, which features such classics as Talk To My Ass, Love Doctor, Alligator Ass, and She Dat Pretty -- all of which he played in concert -- the beefy actor was decked out casually in a purple silk sleeveless smock, turquoise beads, jeans and boots.

But it was hard to take your eyes off his shiny brown face, which looked like he'd been dipped in Willy Wonka's chocolate river, and his wacky mullet (no ponytail) that gave Donald Trump a run for his money in the bad hair department.

Seagal's demeanor, for the first half of the concert anyways, verged on serious, as he said very little to the audience other than "Thank-you," and hardly moved from his place in front of the microphone. (Maybe it was the long day, given he had been in Toronto for a noon-hour press conference in support of the skin care line L'Acrima.)

But the show's second half saw Seagal warm up considerably, smiling his Buddha smile, and just getting more comfortable as about 50 audience members moved to the front of the stage.

It was while he was introducing his band members, in particular his pretty female backup singer, that he said the most he did all night: "Everyone in the band wants some, but we're not getting any."

"Not everyone," added Baby Girl.

Last night's show only drew about 2,000 people -- just less than half of the entertainment centre's capacity -- and tonight's second show will host about 3,000 concert goers.

Still, grown men in last night's crowd could be heard screaming, "I love you Steven!" and a group of younger guys started chanting "Under Seige! Under Seige!" right before Seagal came back out on stage to perform Wild Thing for the encore.

And then there was the one woman who just stood transfixed right in front of him for the entire concert, with her hands clasped to her chin.

Safe to say, Seagal's core following remains firmly intact, all of those straight-to-video films of the last few years notwithstanding.

 

[Donald Lee Wilkey]

Sounds like another W.A.S.P. music news reporter giving Steven Seagal a bad review, like all other reporters who feel threatened by Steven Seagal's mere presence in the music field

 

[suziwong]

gezzzzzzzzzzzzz Not important what they say about him..

I am waiting TD's reviews I am sure she writes what is reality..

suzi

 

[Heatheranita]

we should always look to see the whole picture. As the reporter said her expectations where low. If we look for the good, not the bad, always expect good things, not the worst, not only do we feel better in ourselves but we always see the best in others, and others see the best in us. am not put of one bit, am looking forward to the Uk concerts and will go with an open and full heart and I will enjoy.

 

[Gui]

Review

To my opinion, this is a cheap attack at Steven Seagal and that critic is just having a dig at him.

Still, 2000 went to the 1st gig, and 3000 for the second one so Steven is doing good here.

Sure, you will never see Steven Seagal play in a huge venue as he's just released his second album and his working his way up in the music industry + is making a name for himself in that particular field + that kind of music ( Blues) is best suited at smaller venues than bigger ones.

Even so, I believe that these attacks are unjustified and unfair as these people should remember that Steven Seagal is quite multi-skilled !!!!!

My thoughts on this,

Much love & energy,

 

[suziwong]

gezzzzzzzzzzzzzzz !! Steven is very good musician.. I like his voice and his songs. I loved blues with him..

I hope one day I listen him live..

susi

To my opinion, this is a cheap attack at Steven Seagal and that critic is just having a dig at him.

Still, 2000 went to the 1st gig, and 3000 for the second one so Steven is doing good here.

Sure, you will never see Steven Seagal play in a huge venue as he's just released his second album and his working his way up in the music industry + is making a name for himself in that particular field + that kind of music ( Blues) is best suited at smaller venues than bigger ones.

Even so, I believe that these attacks are unjustified and unfair as these people should remember that Steven Seagal is quite multi-skilled !!!!!

My thoughts on this,

Much love & energy,

 

[ORANGATUANG]

For an start i would like to where this critic got his brain iam sure it was out of an cereal box...he wouldnt know if an bee was up his butt how dare he speak about some one he doesnt even know but what do we expect from such an twit...i think that he doesnt have to do all these concerts but when you have an big heart like him its only natural that he is doing what he loves...as for his clothes i think they are 'hip' so what if he hasnt got his ponytail while he is doing his concerts ...he will always be an good fella in my eyes even though sometimes i might not say it..go steven ..tell them to kiss your 'alligator ass'..

 

[TDWoj]

By the way, just so you know - the woman the reviewer was referring to when she wrote "who just stood transifixed right in front of him for the entire concert, with her hands clasped to her chin" - was me. (Talk about having one's own fifteen seconds of fame....!)

I can't believe what the reviewer said - I'm wondering if we were at the same concert?

My opinion:

It was TOTALLY EXCELLENT.

I don't enjoy live concerts, so for me to enjoy this concert on its own merits was an achievement entirely due to the performance and the performer. I was impressed, and believe me, I'm very hard to impress when it comes to performances of this kind of music.

His musicianship was excellent, and he was in good voice. The crowd, of course, was making a lot of noise so it may have been hard to hear him in some corners of the venue, but then, that's true of any performance, so why was the above reviewer saying this was his fault?

The high point of the concert for me, was, of course, his performance of Love Doctor. All the songs were good and well performed, but that one gets me in the right place - it's got the "stuff" that makes my heart sing, and to witness a live performance of it was to die for.

I have to say the drummer - "Baby Girl", was it? - was the best drummer I've seen in a long, long time. The back up singers were excellent and they were doing what they were supposed to be doing - SINGING BACKUP, complementing the star performer, not overpowering him.

Steven, was, in fact, moving all over the stage when he was just doing instrumentals (did the reviewer expect him to wander away from the microphone when he was singing, I wonder?). There were a flock of women (and some young men!) in front of the stage on either side of the microphone (but not directly in front of him, which is how I know the reviewer was talking about me and not someone else, because that's exactly where I was - second row, right under the microphone - and what I was doing) and one lucky woman over at stage right (left? I can never remember if it's from the audience perspective or the stage perspective) got a high five from him (well, hers was high, his was low!).

I must say that he did, at one point, look over in my general direction, but it was just as likely he was looking at someone behind me as at me, so I am making no claims on that subject other than "general".

He did the song "Wild Thing" as an encore, he did it very well, and the audience did go wild!

There was, alas, no public signing after the concert. There had been a "meet and greet" beforehand, but it was by invitation only. The people sitting in front of me (two brassy middle-aged blondes and a man who bore a remarkable resemblance to Gene LaBelle, though I know it wasn't because this guy talked about Steven as if this was the first time he'd met him) had been at the meet and greet, and they talked briefly among themselves about the opportunity. When I and the lady sitting two seats over from me asked about it, their attitude was basically, "we're important people and you're not" so that squashed us silent.

Other than the three guys beside and behind me who expressed their appreciation through making eardrum-splitting whistles (which was one of the reasons why my hands were on my face - the better to protect my ears when they let fly with a whistle) it was a thoroughly enjoyable concert!

I have been kicking myself for not realising until it was too late that I actually did have the connections to wangle either an invitation to the meet and greet or a backstage pass. By the time I'd been reminded of the fact (by one of my connections) it was too late to do anything about it.

I know this is going to sound silly, but I had bought a book on a subject I know he's interested in and that I'm fairly certain he didn't have or know about and brought it with me. In the end, I had to give it to a security guard (there were some with backstage passes). I explained that I was a moderator on this site. I wrote a note but by this point I was so tired (I hadn't eaten all day and the drop in my blood sugar levels was making my hands shake) I forgot to write in "from steven-seagal.net forum" on the inside!

I hope he got it.

Altogether, he generated a lot of energy in the audience, the audience was with with him all the way, and that is the best indicator of a job well done, in my opinion, than anything the above reviewer had to say. And the best review came from the woman who sat next to me on the bus going home - she'd never heard of Steven Seagal before, she had come only because her son had come, and she thought he was absolutely marvelous, and an excellent musician!

So, phooey on the reviewer. If all she was focusing on was his hair and making smart ass comments about other aspects of his appearance, then she wasn't there for the right reasons.

 

[Mama San]

Thank you so much for coming back and letting us know what really happened, TD. We are so very glad that you were able to get that close.
Don't worry about the "reporters", they are so caught up in themselves that can't give an honest review. We do appreciate your review.
God bless,
Mama san

 

[suziwong]

I know TD writes realities and truth and she wrote.

"EXCELLENT" she says..

Not important what reporters are thinking about him.

Thank you very much for review my dearest friend and I am very happy you saw and enjoy..


ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I want to listen Steven on Stage.. May be one day huh ??

PLEASEEEEEEEEEE COMEEEEEEEEEEE STEVENNNNNNNNNN !!!

 

[Administrator]

Glad you enjoyed the show TD, nice review too.

 

[Gui]

What a ...

FANTASTIC REVIEW !

+++++++++++ S U P E R +++++++++++

Thank You !

Much energy !

By the way, just so you know - the woman the reviewer was referring to when she wrote "who just stood transifixed right in front of him for the entire concert, with her hands clasped to her chin" - was me. (Talk about having one's own fifteen seconds of fame....!)

I can't believe what the reviewer said - I'm wondering if we were at the same concert?

My opinion:

It was TOTALLY EXCELLENT.

I don't enjoy live concerts, so for me to enjoy this concert on its own merits was an achievement entirely due to the performance and the performer. I was impressed, and believe me, I'm very hard to impress when it comes to performances of this kind of music.

His musicianship was excellent, and he was in good voice. The crowd, of course, was making a lot of noise so it may have been hard to hear him in some corners of the venue, but then, that's true of any performance, so why was the above reviewer saying this was his fault?

The high point of the concert for me, was, of course, his performance of Love Doctor. All the songs were good and well performed, but that one gets me in the right place - it's got the "stuff" that makes my heart sing, and to witness a live performance of it was to die for.

I have to say the drummer - "Baby Girl", was it? - was the best drummer I've seen in a long, long time. The back up singers were excellent and they were doing what they were supposed to be doing - SINGING BACKUP, complementing the star performer, not overpowering him.

Steven, was, in fact, moving all over the stage when he was just doing instrumentals (did the reviewer expect him to wander away from the microphone when he was singing, I wonder?). There were a flock of women (and some young men!) in front of the stage on either side of the microphone (but not directly in front of him, which is how I know the reviewer was talking about me and not someone else, because that's exactly where I was - second row, right under the microphone - and what I was doing) and one lucky woman over at stage right (left? I can never remember if it's from the audience perspective or the stage perspective) got a high five from him (well, hers was high, his was low!).

I must say that he did, at one point, look over in my general direction, but it was just as likely he was looking at someone behind me as at me, so I am making no claims on that subject other than "general".

He did the song "Wild Thing" as an encore, he did it very well, and the audience did go wild!

There was, alas, no public signing after the concert. There had been a "meet and greet" beforehand, but it was by invitation only. The people sitting in front of me (two brassy middle-aged blondes and a man who bore a remarkable resemblance to Gene LaBelle, though I know it wasn't because this guy talked about Steven as if this was the first time he'd met him) had been at the meet and greet, and they talked briefly among themselves about the opportunity. When I and the lady sitting two seats over from me asked about it, their attitude was basically, "we're important people and you're not" so that squashed us silent.

Other than the three guys beside and behind me who expressed their appreciation through making eardrum-splitting whistles (which was one of the reasons why my hands were on my face - the better to protect my ears when they let fly with a whistle) it was a thoroughly enjoyable concert!

I have been kicking myself for not realising until it was too late that I actually did have the connections to wangle either an invitation to the meet and greet or a backstage pass. By the time I'd been reminded of the fact (by one of my connections) it was too late to do anything about it.

I know this is going to sound silly, but I had bought a book on a subject I know he's interested in and that I'm fairly certain he didn't have or know about and brought it with me. In the end, I had to give it to a security guard (there were some with backstage passes). I explained that I was a moderator on this site. I wrote a note but by this point I was so tired (I hadn't eaten all day and the drop in my blood sugar levels was making my hands shake) I forgot to write in "from steven-seagal.net forum" on the inside!

I hope he got it.

Altogether, he generated a lot of energy in the audience, the audience was with with him all the way, and that is the best indicator of a job well done, in my opinion, than anything the above reviewer had to say. And the best review came from the woman who sat next to me on the bus going home - she'd never heard of Steven Seagal before, she had come only because her son had come, and she thought he was absolutely marvelous, and an excellent musician!

So, phooey on the reviewer. If all she was focusing on was his hair and making smart ass comments about other aspects of his appearance, then she wasn't there for the right reasons.

 

[ORANGATUANG]

Thanks TD... Iam so happy you had an great time and i wonder if when he does his next C.D. that he might put 'Wildthing' on it i love that song..i bet he did it justice alright with his style of singing ...ohhh and you lucky girl getting so close.....

 

[TDWoj]

You're welcome, Heather. I was very pleased with my seat, it couldn't have been better short of sitting in his lap! I'm just sorry I missed my chance (those dratted connections I didn't think of using!) to meet him in person. Probably my only chance.... ah, well.

 

[TDWoj]

Even less flattering...

Here's the review from the Toronto Star. I'm beginning to think that journalists are not able to separate their personal prejudices from objectivity. (It has taken me a while to figure that out - d'oh!).

--------------

Seagal in: Too Few Kicks

REVIEW | Ben Rayner is as unmoved as the stiff action hero at his blues gig


January 14, 2007



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If we're to believe the man's claims, Steven Seagal has always been a guitar hero first and an action hero second.


"I see myself essentially as a musician," he told the U.K.'s Sunday Times last year, and he's been spinning yarns since last spring's release of his second album, Mojo Priest, about a childhood in Michigan spent soaking up the blues from transplanted Mississippi Delta guitar players. That was before, of course, he took off to Japan to learn aikido, became a thespian and started smashing people's heads through glass cases in such delightfully dumb-as-nails Hollywood smackdowns as Above the Law, Hard to Kill and Under Siege.

Seagal is, in all fairness, a reasonably capable axeman – devotees will note that he dropped a few licks onscreen with Marty Stuart in 1997's Fire Down Below – and one who had sufficient pull to secure blues luminaries like Bo Diddley, Ruth Brown and James Cotton for Mojo Priest's guestlist.

As an actual musical performer, though, he's less animated than he's ever been in his pictures.

I know, I know: I wouldn't have thought it possible, either. But as Seagal lumbered tentatively through a series of by-the-numbers 12-bar blues jams with the band of seven gifted hired hands he has unfortunately dubbed Thunderbox at Casino Rama on Friday night the utter lack of charisma on stage was almost awe-inspiring.

Rarely do musicians look less at ease with their instrument or less capable of responding to rhythm as the increasingly hefty Seagal, who spent much of his 90-minute set bent uneasily over a succession of Les Pauls and wearing a look of intense concentration while the soundman faded his competent, if intermittent solos into the mix.

Occasionally, he'd step to the mike to croak the lyrics to "She Dat Pretty," "Love Doctor" or the self-penned gem "Talk to My Ass" in a thin, inconsequential approximation of B.B. King's weathered growl, but even the legendarily self-admiring Seagal seemed to recognize the folly of competing with his backup singers and, mercifully, let his guitar do most of the talking.

Indeed, one had to wonder how strict were Thunderbox's orders not to outclass the frontman. The all-black ensemble went about its syncopated business in the background without breaking a sweat, only betraying its true, blistering talents in metered doses like the round of solos Seagal granted each individual member during "Alligator Ass." The two supporting guitarists, in particular, seemed rather bemused at the gig – not to mention the lineup of poodle-permed grandmothers and stoned college students stiffly getting down in front of the stage – and consistently dispensed interlocking rhythm parts and their own fiery leads with a nonchalant pizzazz that put the dude out front with the furrowed brow to shame.

Indeed, there were odd moments when one could swear Seagal's talented players were exchanging mild, mocking glances and snickers behind his back. And if they were, it wasn't without reason: Seagal might not be a total joke as a musician, but certainly it must be a chuckle to tour with a Buddhism-fancying white actor who utters phrases like "lawd have mercy" and "he's another Memphis chile" in an Aunt Jemima drawl between songs. How backup vocalist Jermaine Paul can introduce the man as "the Mojo Priest" every night on tour while maintaining a straight face is a mystery for the ages.

In Seagal's defence, he's had the sense to bring some real pros on the road with him for this busman's holiday from the direct-to-video shoot-'em-up market. And despite the stoic demeanour, the odd hint of a smile did cross his face from time to time, betraying some delight at being permitted to play musician for a little while. As long as he's happy, at least he won't wade into the crowd and start snapping necks.

 

[KimonoSoul]

I'm beginning to think that journalists are not able to separate their personal prejudices from objectivity.


How kind of you to call them "journalists!" LOL!!!

I'm glad you had a great time!

 

[Gui]

Review

REVIEW | Ben Rayner is as unmoved as the stiff action hero at his blues gig


January 14, 2007



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If we're to believe the man's claims, Steven Seagal has always been a guitar hero first and an action hero second.


"I see myself essentially as a musician," he told the U.K.'s Sunday Times last year, and he's been spinning yarns since last spring's release of his second album, Mojo Priest, about a childhood in Michigan spent soaking up the blues from transplanted Mississippi Delta guitar players. That was before, of course, he took off to Japan to learn aikido, became a thespian and started smashing people's heads through glass cases in such delightfully dumb-as-nails Hollywood smackdowns as Above the Law, Hard to Kill and Under Siege.

Seagal is, in all fairness, a reasonably capable axeman – devotees will note that he dropped a few licks onscreen with Marty Stuart in 1997's Fire Down Below – and one who had sufficient pull to secure blues luminaries like Bo Diddley, Ruth Brown and James Cotton for Mojo Priest's guestlist.

As an actual musical performer, though, he's less animated than he's ever been in his pictures.

I know, I know: I wouldn't have thought it possible, either. But as Seagal lumbered tentatively through a series of by-the-numbers 12-bar blues jams with the band of seven gifted hired hands he has unfortunately dubbed Thunderbox at Casino Rama on Friday night the utter lack of charisma on stage was almost awe-inspiring.

Rarely do musicians look less at ease with their instrument or less capable of responding to rhythm as the increasingly hefty Seagal, who spent much of his 90-minute set bent uneasily over a succession of Les Pauls and wearing a look of intense concentration while the soundman faded his competent, if intermittent solos into the mix.

Occasionally, he'd step to the mike to croak the lyrics to "She Dat Pretty," "Love Doctor" or the self-penned gem "Talk to My Ass" in a thin, inconsequential approximation of B.B. King's weathered growl, but even the legendarily self-admiring Seagal seemed to recognize the folly of competing with his backup singers and, mercifully, let his guitar do most of the talking.

Indeed, one had to wonder how strict were Thunderbox's orders not to outclass the frontman. The all-black ensemble went about its syncopated business in the background without breaking a sweat, only betraying its true, blistering talents in metered doses like the round of solos Seagal granted each individual member during "Alligator Ass." The two supporting guitarists, in particular, seemed rather bemused at the gig – not to mention the lineup of poodle-permed grandmothers and stoned college students stiffly getting down in front of the stage – and consistently dispensed interlocking rhythm parts and their own fiery leads with a nonchalant pizzazz that put the dude out front with the furrowed brow to shame.

Indeed, there were odd moments when one could swear Seagal's talented players were exchanging mild, mocking glances and snickers behind his back. And if they were, it wasn't without reason: Seagal might not be a total joke as a musician, but certainly it must be a chuckle to tour with a Buddhism-fancying white actor who utters phrases like "lawd have mercy" and "he's another Memphis chile" in an Aunt Jemima drawl between songs. How backup vocalist Jermaine Paul can introduce the man as "the Mojo Priest" every night on tour while maintaining a straight face is a mystery for the ages.

In Seagal's defence, he's had the sense to bring some real pros on the road with him for this busman's holiday from the direct-to-video shoot-'em-up market. And despite the stoic demeanour, the odd hint of a smile did cross his face from time to time, betraying some delight at being permitted to play musician for a little while. As long as he's happy, at least he won't wade into the crowd and start snapping necks.


Ben Rayner,

Sorry pal but that review of yours is just a disgrace.
Stop being a moron and be objective.
I doubt very much that the rest of the band is having a laugh at Steven Seagal's expense whilst they're playing or they won't be doing a world tour and playing in so many UK venues.

Steven Seagal is a fantastic singer and great guitar player, and this, Ben Rayner, you cannot take it away from him.

Get a life matey,

 

[ORANGATUANG]

You're welcome, Heather. I was very pleased with my seat, it couldn't have been better short of sitting in his lap! I'm just sorry I missed my chance (those dratted connections I didn't think of using!) to meet him in person. Probably my only chance.... ah, well.

Shame about that girl ...and what an big lap to sit on..yes next time dont forget those connections eh?..

 

[suziwong]

I know very strange question but who is Baby Girl ???

 

[suzyr4458]

who the hell is Ben Rayner??? send the bloody pillock brained moron to the gallows!!! how dare he! criticise Steven Seagal in the way he has, I suppose he is a perfect gentleman in every way, shape, & form, with looks like a greek god! pull the other one, more like some little geek thats stone jealous of our gorgeous & truly talented Mr Seagal. What a pain in the butt, best ignored, his type!!!!