Concert Review: Meat Loaf and his Three Bats Tour

If you're familiar with my previous reviews then you're aware that my original Meat Loaf Live 'Seize The Night' review was to be continued. Due to the flu Loaf left the stage at Boca Raton's Mizner Park 4 songs into his set in April of this year. Rescheduling and vowing to return with a vengeance the concert was set for this evening, August 30, 2007. Like the phoenix rising from the fire, or a bat out of hell, Loaf kicked off his electrifying set with two rebel rousing crowd pleasing numbers, "If It Ain't Broke Break It," and the ceremonial crowd pleasing "Out Of The Frying Pan Into The Fire."

This time around billed as the "Three Bats Tour," celebrating his colossal trilogy including the classic, "Bat Out Of Hell" (which is now well into it's 30 year anniversary), "Bat Out Of Hell 2: Back Into Hell," and "Bat Out Of Hell 3: The Monster Is Loose," the shows are destined to be over 2 ½ hours of non stop, foot stamping, raise your fist and yell hits. Taking much from the past and the present Meat has created a well balanced show sure to please fans of all ages. There are some incredible highlights in this show. One of my favorites, "Life Is A Lemon (And I Want My Money Back)" from "Bat 2," had the crowd on its feet from start to finish. In an interesting segment reminiscent of Pink Floyd's "Another Brick In The Wall," video, Meat jumped into "In The Land Of The Pig, The Butcher Is King," (Bat 3) complete with an accompanying video on the back screens of rather surreal images. If you're familiar with Floyd's video and Meat's song, you'll get my drift. The only unfortunate thing as far as I'm concerned for me personally was the songs he didn't perform. There were other songs from "Bat 3," that I would have loved to hear live and of course the missing stand out smash tune "Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad," seemed to loom over the crowd as the show ended and the final lights came up.

Another interesting moment in the show was a movie montage spotlighting Meat's forte into the celluloid industry. Clips from such films as "Crazy In Alabama," "Black Top," "Bloodrayne," and "Fight Club," were definitely among the highlights. Of course, the clips that had the crowd roaring with applause and approval were those from the cult classic, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." This segment was not meant to overshadow his incredible accomplishments on vinyl but rather to remind us that the guy's an accomplished actor as well. Something that is overshadowed considering Loaf has been a mainstay and legend in the music industry for over 30 years. That being said, his voice has never been clearer or stronger. Gone is the long straight hair he sported for much of his career, though it did reappear tonight during the classic song that put him on the charts in the first place, "Paradise By The Dashboard Light." Not only was the hair back, but so was the tuxedo and red scarf. Talk about taking a trip back to the 70's and putting smiles on people's faces. It was a brilliant take on the song and extremely entertaining. Of course other chart toppers weren't far behind. "You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth," (audience participation singing the chorus included) "All Revved Up With No Place To Go," "Bat Out Of Hell," and the monster smash "I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That), contributed to a rock'n'roll extravaganza that left my feet soar and numb by the end of the evening.

In a moving personal moment Meat thanked the fans who kept their original tickets from the previously semi-canceled show, thanked those who bought returned tickets, and profanely but humorously had a message for those who returned their tickets and didn't come back. Ah, the heart of rock 'n' roll angst, you gotta love it. Even the legends let loose once in awhile. Meat Loaf fans are a breed all their own. Loyal to the core even when the hits were scarce, we all return time and time again to see the master showman. And as part of his legend in the 70's, it was reported to me he collapsed after the show and had to be given oxygen. Ah, the glory of playing South Florida in the sweltering, muggy August heat. 97 degrees on the lawn, who knows the temperature on stage under the lights; the legend continues. Welcome back to Florida Meat. Next time around, take my advice. If you're going to play outdoors, schedule the show for November or December (not that it really matters, it's hot then too). Or better yet, play in an air conditioned arena. The only really 'cool' moment was the 5 minutes of rain that fell and seemed to take some of the steam out of the air. Never did raindrops ever feel so good.

As always, if you're fortunate to have Meat Loaf scheduled to play in your area, it is definitely a must see show. He encompasses what rock music is really all about. Power vocals, infectious hooks, balls to the wall emotion, an incredible touring band, gorgeous female back-up singers, and one hell of a good time. After all, isn't that what life is really all about?