The country superstar was ‘Making Memories’ for fans at Borgata
All photos: Donald Kravitz
Keith Urban has always been a country superstar with a slightly unexpected vibe. For one thing, he’s from Australia. For another, his prowess on the guitar is much more rock god than country strummer.
And he is fearless.
Several times during his show at Borgata last night (Aug. 25) he walked off the stage and into the crowd, to give fans in the cheap seats a better view. While he does this with an escort of protectors, the standing room crowd surged toward him in a wave that enveloped him. One lady near me burst into tears when he walked by.
That’s another major element of his success – a vulnerability and sex appeal that is as much a part of his persona as his undeniable talent.
His 90-minute set was loaded with his numerous hits like the rockers “Put You In A Song,” “Long Hot Summer,” “Sweet Thing,” (which featured one of his I’m-also-a-rock-star guitar riffs), and “Kiss A Girl.”
During "Kiss A Girl," he brought up three members of the audience to help him sing the chorus, including a gentleman from Ireland. When Urban asked him who is was singing the song to, he said his friend Justin. Urban quipped, “What happens in Atlantic City, stays in Atlantic City.”
Urban's heartfelt love songs have been a major reason that his career has maintained its longevity, from the gorgeous emotionalism of “Making Memories of Us” to the wry regret of “Stupid Boy” and the sensual admiration of “You Look Good in My Shirt.”
Other outstanding songs in his set included “Days Go By,” “I Wanna Love Somebody Like You” and “For You,” a song he dedicated to the military.
Having recently seen the male revue Thunder From Down Under I can report that this Down Under singer has more sex appeal -- and with his clothes on.
WHILE COUNTRY MUSIC is an art form with origins in America's rural landscape and mountain foothills, its reach stretches around the globe. For example, a young man born in New Zealand and raised in Australia had parents who loved American country music. He was weaned on Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, Glen Campbell and Jim Reeves, picking up his first guitar at age seven. Even at that young age Keith Urban knew he wanted to go to Nashville and become a country music star. Explains Urban, "I inherited this ... love for the American dream. I fell in love with the music, the cars and the whole idea of America." Keith Urban's childhood aspirations have been realized. After two successful albums -- his self-titled debut and the multi-platinum Golden Road -- and a fistful of hit songs ("It's a Love Thing," "Your Everything," "Where the Blacktop Ends," "Raining on Sunday," "But for the Grace of God," "Who Wouldn't Want to Be Me"), Urban is well on his way to superstar status. He hits the road this month for his first tour as the headliner. Urban makes his Atlantic City debut at the Taj October 30 in support of his excellent new release,...
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1. Anonymous said... on Aug 26, 2012 at 05:12PM
“While this is a positive review, I wish the journalist had taken the time to get the titles of the songs accurate. Urban is an incredible entertainer as anyone who has seen his live shows can attest; in fact, he just gets better and better every tour. He deserves to have a review that's accurate in all aspects.”
2. Anonymous said... on Aug 26, 2012 at 05:47PM
“Thanks Lori for the very nice review. I'm one of Keith's biggest fans, and I don't remember every title perfectly either. I just enjoy the music and entertainer.”
3. anonymous said... on Aug 26, 2012 at 05:49PM
“It's true...Keith is amazing and wonderful in every way. Here is a true artist who not only loves what he does but who he's doing it for. I wish journalist these days would take some pride in getting facts and information right though.”
4. Lori Hoffman said... on Aug 26, 2012 at 07:39PM
“I wish people didn't complain without signing their names. I do check the song titles but if I made a mistake, how about telling me the correct title and I will correct it. I do take pride in my work.”
5. Lowezl said... on Aug 26, 2012 at 08:43PM
“Lori, thank you for the very positive review on my favorite entertainer, Keith Urban. I have been a fan since 1994, and I agree with everything you say about this man's talent and appeal to an audience. The title of the song is "Put You in a Song." That's the only title you got wrong.”
6. Lowezl said... on Aug 26, 2012 at 08:46PM
“Lori, thank you for the very positive review on my favorite entertainer, Keith Urban. I have been a fan since 1994, and I agree with everything you say about this man's talent and appeal to an audience. The title of the song is "Put You in a Song." That's the only title you got wrong.”
7. gloria said... on Aug 27, 2012 at 07:20AM
“Lori, fantastic review!!! I agree 100% with everything you said! I've been a fan of Keith's for a long time and to see him where he is today thrills me to no end! Thanks for the great review of such an amazing artist!”
8. mamabluejean said... on Aug 27, 2012 at 11:32AM
“Lori, what a fantastic review! I love that you wrote little things about the Atlantic City concert i would have never known, other than having been there (even though i've been so fortunate to have gone to many ku concerts!) And the 'Atlantic City' comment made me break out in a laugh, b/c that comment sounds just like keith's humor. As others here, i agree with everything you said. I'm saving this review! I can tell you take pride in your work--although the review is short, it is packed with spot-on detail and interest. Please don't think anything about the comments about PYIAS. We fiercely protect 'our keith'--too much so at times, i know :) Thank you Lowezl for your gentle clarification.”
9. mamabluejean said... on Aug 27, 2012 at 11:36AM
“Wow--just looked at the pix! Fantastic photos too! Thanks so much!!! Sure wish i coulda been there!”
10. mamabluejean said... on Aug 27, 2012 at 12:02PM
“This may be a repeat--sorry if it is. I opened the picture gallery and posted a thank you to Donald Kravitz, but don't see it. Thanks, Donald--fantastic photos of keith in Atlantic City!”
11. DivaB said... on Aug 28, 2012 at 07:49PM
“Great reportbut he played for two hours. You forgot he came back for a 30 encore.”
12. Jim said... on Aug 28, 2012 at 10:13PM
“Great review and show. I was lucky enough to get a meet & greet for this show and he was as nice as I had heard from many people. My wife and I were celebrating our wedding anniversary and Keith dedicated a song to us during the show. A real class act”
13. debbieg5 said... on Aug 29, 2012 at 10:07AM
“Thanks for the great review on Keith!! It was an awesome show (as all of his are). He did play to closer to 2 hours with the encore. BTW....there were no "cheap seats" at the Borgata! It was great to see Keith in a small venue but those ticket prices were killers! Looking forward to a full tour next year!
ps. I think the remark about song titles may have been referring to "Days Gone By". I saw in your 2004 article about Keith that you used the same title. the song title is actually "Days Go By".”