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Kamis, 21 April 2011

Bruno Mars' Concert

Concert Review: Bruno Mars spreads his wings in splashy NYC debut

Brunomars_show
Dreams really do come true and right now, Bruno Mars is floating on cloud nine. The singer/songwriter/producer behind such smash hits as B.o.B.'s "Nothin' On You" and Travie McCoy's "Billionaire" is a rising star in his own right and in his first headlining show in New York City, Bruno soared. Playing to a sold out crowd at the Bowery Ballroom, Bruno and his band dressed up like a '60s boy band with Bruno looking like a young Elvis with his slicked up hair. Heartbreak hotel all the way.
And like a young Elvis, Bruno was able to thrill, titillate and excite the largely-female audience with a wry smile, a dangerous hip thrust and his silky smooth voice. Philip Lawrence, Bruno's production partner in the Smeezingtons, was also part of the band and he made quite an impression himself. Before the show started, several fans began to recognize him while he was on the phone outside the venue. Phil graciously took pictures and chit chatted with them, showing appreciation and humility. But on stage, Phil proved to be a confident performer, providing some fancy footwork and impressive backing vocals for Bruno. Could Phil one day step out as a solo artist himself?
In between songs, Bruno's charm shined as he cracked jokes and spouted friendly banter with the audience. The intimate venue allowed Bruno to see his fans up close and personal and the connection that Bruno's music had made with his fans was evident. There were guys rocking fedoras and jackets like Bruno and loads of ladies squealed in delight whenever he approached the mic.
But despite his popularity with the ladies, Bruno is no womanizer. His songs speak of loyalty, dedication and deep, profound love. In the two new songs, "I Think I Wanna Marry You" and "Grenades," that he played from his upcoming debut album Doo-Wops and Hooligans, Bruno explored the extreme ends of the love spectrum: Infatuation and betrayal. And the audience ate up both songs, but they particularly swooned for the heartbreak tale Bruno painted in "Grenades." When Bruno howled, "I'd catch a grenade for ya, put my hand on the blade for ya, I'd jump in front a train for ya, you know I'd do anything for ya," the audience shrieked in delight as he rattled off the fatalistic depths of his dedication.
And his solo remixes of his two chart toppers, "Billionaire" and "Nothin' On You," were wonderfully flipped and energized with the live band's arrangement. The "Nothin' On You" remix is so stellar that Bruno would be wise to record a studio version of the remix as a bonus track for the album. He drizzles that Maui Wowie on the song so potently.
As the end of Bruno's set neared, he winded the crowd down with his new hit single "Just the Way You Are." The power ballad, with its uplifting chorus and sweeping production, went over magnificently with the audience. Once again, they sang along with nearly every word. After the song ended, Bruno thanked the crowd and walked off stage, but it wasn't over yet.
The crowd chanted "BRUNO! BRUNO!" and he obliged the crowd with a surprise cover of Michael Jackson's "Dirty Diana" for his encore. The inspirations he pulled from Elvis and Michael Jackson weren't just talk, Bruno seemed to be channeling his idols on stage that night. He snarled his lips and slammed on his guitar just like any good student of the King of Pop would do. The only thing missing was a crotch grab. Maybe next time.

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