Tina Turner Live - Bank Atlantic Center, Sunrise Florida November 2, 2008: The Queen Regains Her Throne

Just like Dr. Frank-N-Furter from the "Rocky Horror Picture Show," the an-ti-ci-pation of the return of the Queen Of Rock-N-Roll after 8 years to the live stage was as thick as butta this evening. The crowd outside the Center was electric upon arrival. So you can only imagine what the atmosphere was like inside the arena by the time an original DIVA, Tina Turner hit the stage. Looking like she hasn't aged in 20 years or more, Turner's energy level could make a four year old child tired. Gorgeous legs up to her neck; she didn't miss a beat, didn't miss a note, and totally charmed the 19,000 + fans that came to see one of the great wonders of the world, the music world anyway. I've seen Turner before at least a half-a-dozen times live. She hasn't disappointed me yet. Our first encounter (sounds sexy doesn't it) was in a small dance club on South Beach Florida just as her mega blockbuster hit CD "Private Dancer," was released: way back in 1984. She was captivating then and continues to be. Should you ever need to look up the definition of a true pro, legend, or entertainer in the dictionary, you will most likely find a picture of Turner. Well, maybe not, but there should be. If this show ends up on your shelf as part of your DVD collection, it may or may not be released, know one thing right from the start, watching it on your TV even if you have a 64" widescreen HD isn't the same as actually being at the show. It can't hold a candle the experience of being among the crowd of fans, the incredible light show, sound system, and the tireless energizer bunny herself, Turner. If you've never been fortunate enough to see Tina live you really are missing something special. At the young age of 68 it seems impossible after over 5 decades in the music business she'd be up to doing this gig one more time. Yet, there she is in the flesh. Time has been kind to Turner. She still moves and struts across the stage like she owns the place, which she does - there has never been any doubt.

As the curtain begins to slowly fall, Turner descends down to the stage on a platform/podium, already in full stride, dance moves a blazing to the booming sounds of her hit "Steamy Windows." Dressed all in black, Tina was stunning as she moved effortlessly across the stage. Accompanied by four female dancers moving behind her in full regalia upon the main stage which is raised above the floor; accommodating everyone in the crowd with a great view of the entire set up. As the song plows on it's just a matter of time before the 4 ladies make their way down the circular stairs and both ends of the stage to join the Queen on the main floor. For those folks in the nose-bleed seats, screens are placed on the side of the stage so that everyone can get a close-up look at the tornado swirling around. Let the festivities begin.

Turner couldn't have set the show off with a better high energy song than "Windows." Sliding into "Typical Male," then on to an oldie but goodie, "River Deep, Mountain High." Turner tells the audience she's 'going to share her past hits with us." Share she did. There were the expected tunes, "What's Love Got To Do With It," (complete with crowd participation orchestrated perfectly by Turner - it was the women against the men with this one) whom offered up great cutting and funny dialogue about the two sexes. "Private Dancer," followed suit and a very interesting and cool stage production of "We Don't Need Another Hero," from her film with Mel Gibson "Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome." Dressed in full costume from the movie with clips rolling in the back on the screen, it was great to look back. By the way, her costume still fit, long blonde wig and all. "Acid Queen," (from the rock opera film 'Tommy') was a whole other trip on its own. The one thing that was distracting though I guess necessary for costume changes was a dance/martial arts group known as the Ninjas. This is one trick Turner borrowed from Cher. Though admittedly Cher's "Cirque De Soleil-esque" artists were less unassuming and more entertaining. These guys just didn't seem to fit with the possible exception of the "Hero," segment. But a woman has do to what a woman has to do to change clothes. Toni Basil (of "Mickey" fame back in the 80's) did a great job throughout the show with her choreography. Tina's back up dancers were fun to watch whether they were beside Turner or strutting their stuff in the background.

After a 30 minute intermission Tina returned to the stage in an "unplugged" setting. Flanked by her band, all sitting on stools, she belts out the "Beatles classic "Help." Her voice is a clear and strong as ever which is most evident here. This was really a great segment. Not only did the band get to show off their chops as musicians but Turner's vocals as well as her back-up singers really shined. "Undercover Agent for the Blues," (one of my personal favorites) took on a funky sexy groove that had everyone in the audience tapping their feet and moving to the music. "I Can't Stand the Rain," and "Let's Stay Together," two crowd favorites, really stood out in this format. The original renditions are great but during this show new life was breathed into them.

Returning to her favorite genre, rock'n'roll, the Rolling Stones classics were pulled from the vault, "Jumping Jack Flash," and "It's Only Rock 'N'Roll." The stage production for "Goldeneye," was quite the sight to see (not one of my favorite tunes), "Addicted to Love," and "The Best," were the rebel rousing closing tunes that literally had all 19,000+ on their feet. But nothing could compare to the return of "Mary," "Proud Mary," to the concert stage. Even folks who can't dance, myself included, had the hips moving, the arm swinging and the head shaking. The feeling was infectious and Tina played the crowd like an experienced violin virtuoso. After all, she's not the Queen for nothing. The last two songs of the encore couldn't have been more different. Dancing and hanging upon an outstretched iron platform above the middle of the audience, "Nutbush City Limits," was a great testament to what every show should be. A lot of flash, a lot of gas, and just an all out balls-to-the-wall good time. The woman has nerves of steel to be dancing across the arm of that thing. The height above the middle of the crowd alone would make me dizzy and pass out. There's obviously nothing this woman can't do in stiletto heals. "Be Tender With Me Baby," was our final send off. It was a great sentiment and a true emotional moment. It was the perfect ending to an incredible evening of music, dance and good times. One really great aspect of seeing Tina live again was going with people who have never seen her before and had no idea what to expect. They knew they're in for a great show but I don't think the scope of the evening really hit home until midway through or until the show was over and they actually took it all in. Like I said at the beginning, seeing Turner on video is one thing, seeing her LIVE on stage in her element is a whole other deal. This was my experience tonight and I wouldn't have missed it or Tina for the world.

Thanks Tina for coming back one more time and giving us all the thrill of a lifetime.