Meat Loaf in Concert at the Hard Rock Live, Hollywood Fl Sept. 1, 2010

As the old saying goes, "If it's too loud, you're too damn old." That maybe true in some instances but it certainly falls by the way side when it comes to Meat Loaf. At the tender age of 62, the man still bounds upon the stage like the Energizer Bunny; or more like an animal trapped in a cage pacing back and forth waiting to strike. High volt energy that just won't quit and he can still boast one of the most powerful vocals in rock today. Not bad for an old man, in days on the calendar anyway. If you've followed my reviews over the years then it's plain to see I am a HUGE Meat Loaf fan. I try to catch him every time he comes to town and had the honor of meeting him once a few years back. So say he's the same off stage as he is on would be an understatement. He's got the same intense energy; he's funny, and just an all around nice guy. Not bad for someone who can boast after some thirty years in the music business his first release, "Bat Out Of Hell," (originally released in 1977) is still one of the top selling albums/CD of all time. The "Bat," Trilogy speaks for itself. "I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)," (off "Bat 2: Back Into Hell,") not only won him a Grammy for Best Male Rock Vocal but the song went to Number One in over twenty countries around the world.

This is one of the few times seeing Loaf he's had an opening act. On the "Bat 2," tour it was Cheap Trick; talk about an incredible double bill. On this outing he has Pearl (his daughter Pearl A'Day.) Admittedly I am not really familiar with Pearl's solo work but I have heard her sing many times before. Before embarking on a solo career she stood for any years behind dad as one of his female background vocalists. Her debut CD "Little Immaculate White Fox," was released in January 2010. Most notably her bands line-up consists of her husband Scott Ian of Anthrax. It's easy to see and hear where she gets her rock chops from. Her voice is a bit reminiscent of Janis Joplin/Melissa Etheridge in style. Let's face it; the woman can belt out a tune or two and she certainly did her dad and Tina Turner proud on her rendition of "Nutbush City Limits." Another highlight of her short set was a song titled, "Mama." One of the delights of the evening before Meat hit the stage was Pearl announcing she would be in the lobby to meet and greet the fans, sign cd's, shirts, whatever anyone had to bring to the table. What she brought was an extremely friendly demeanor; hugs and kisses all around. But more importantly a genuine appreciation for everyone who came out to the show to see her and her father perform. Pearl A'Day is one class act onstage as well as off.

Hitting the stage this time around at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood Florida, Meat's got a new CD under his belt, "Hang Cool Teddy Bear." It was released to rave reviews, probably some of the best of his career. It is a good all around solid rock CD. But enough about the CD (you can read my review on this page), let's chew the fat about Loaf live.

There is no one quite like Meat Loaf in rock music, never has been, never will be. A consummate performer, he's got the chops vocally and musically, add to that a little bit of theatrics (I don't mean bombs, fire, etc) just old fashioned showmanship. You know the kind the '˜ole timers,' still possess. Simply put, the guy knows how to put on one hell of a show. Opening the set with an Instrumental Intro (from the song "Peace on Earth" from the new CD), he appears on the stage silhouette with a single spotlight. His microphone stand stand drapped in his customary red scarf, he kicks full throttle into a cult classic from his film debut in '˜The Rocky Horror Picture Show,' the tune "Hot Patootie." It has always been a crowd favorite, especially for those of us who have passed the forty-ish mark and can recall actually seeing the film in the theaters when it was first released. An extra bonus to the song is movie clips flashed behind on a screen of a rather younger Loaf as Eddie in "Rocky Horror," and Tim Curry as '˜Frank-n-furter. What a fun flick it remains to this day. Great way to start a show. This is obviously going to be an evening of giving the audience what they want. Throughout his career that has always been the mainstay of any Loaf tour. Slowly building, wait for it -- .a screeching guitar, the thunder of the drums -- BAM! "Bat Out Of Hell," comes roaring from the speakers, the crowd goes wild, an old favorite for sure. Complete with a huge scale vampire bat hovering over the back of the stage; well defined cut ribs (looked more like a six-pack on a workout guru) bloodied claws and outstretched wings it seemed to eye the audience with every screeching guitar riff, ominous to say the least. Now this is what rock music is all about and this is only the third song. To quote Mr. Loaf, "For the third song in I feel all of sixty-two. I was 46 when I got on the elevator on my way to the stage." Pattie Russo (one of Meat's background singers) had the best quote of the night. "He's sexy-two not sixty two." Loaf turned around claiming "That is a snow job." But he proudly owned the compliment a few moments later. There are a handful of tunes from the new CD in the set. My favorite that he performs live is his current single, "Los Angeloser." The song is complete with pseudo-psychedelic images on the back screen which makes it even more fun. It's got great lyrics and a killer hook. Admittedly there are a couple ballads I would have like to have heard live from "Hang Cool." But the new stuff was entertaining just the same.

The second half of the show was all about the classics, giving his fans reason to scream, holler, and dance. He didn't disappoint. A beautifully played melody on a white grand by Justin Avery lead into the supercharged "I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)," has always been a barn burner and one of my personal favorites. The tender, "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad," finds Loaf sitting on a stool mid stage, a truly a magical moment. Obviously the biggest hit of the night came in the form of "Paradise By The Dashboard Light." Fully staged with a huge naked blowup doll placed behind the left side of the stage, certain body parts were covered by a huge set of hands. Singer Pattie Russo has never missed her vocal mark yet on this tune. Dressed in a short black and white polka dot dress she's still sexy as ever. There was another little surprise or in this case '˜a big surprise,' as the lyrics read by Meat during a break in the song. I'm not quite sure how to describe the moment and monologue except to say it is definitely NC-17 possibly X-rated. Appearing from the side stage Meat returns carrying a "replica," or plaster cast of a certain male body part (this is supposed to represent Loaf's endowment; if you're too young to get the joke go back and Google the 1960's Plaster Caster phenomenon '" no other explanation will be necessary). The infamous play by play commentary in place, the make out session played on the big screen; the song is always a treat and staple at every Meat performance. It's almost as if the audience waits for this moment the entire evening.

The evening's set ends with "All Revved Up (And No Place To Go); by this point there wasn't an audience member sitting down in the entire arena. Playing this evening two hours I don't know who was more exhausted leaving the venue, Meat himself or us fans. All in all it was an incredible night, balls to the wall rock extravaganza, and the impediment of what rock has always been about. A grand time was had by all. Thanks Loaf for bringing it home one more time.