Kenny Rogers Live!

Kenny Rogers
Paramount Theatre, Aurora
Saturday, February 10, 2007

Some know him as the singer from First Edition and others as a country-to-pop crossover solo artist, but no matter what the circle, Kenny Rogers will always be “The Gambler.” Though he has crested countless times on a ride that has sold more than 105 million albums with 22 chart-topping hits, one acting role and anthemic soundtrack song will always overshadow his other achievements. And with just as much inevitability as “Through The Years” popping up on a Kodak commercial, a graying but still remarkably spry Kenny Rogers delivered the old-time country tune (and many more) with glee during a sold-out stop on his neverending tour.

Indeed, Rogers has been a road warrior since his career kicked off in the mid-1950s with rockabilly group The Scholars, though his legacy has been steeped in even more Southern fair starting with his First Edition days. That era’s key hits (especially “Ruby Don’t Take Your Love To Town”) showed surprising durability at the Paramount, though the solo years took up the bulk of his 90-minute set. He has two new records to push, the first is the self-explanatory 21 Number Ones (though he has had another since its release late last year), along with his 63rd album, Water & Bridges (both on Capitol).

New or old, Rogers enthusiastically cruised through his illustrious history as a timeless interpreter, singer, and consummate comedian between songs. The veteran was never afraid to poke fun at his age or the ability for songs such as the Lionel Richie-penned “Lady” to be virtually unsinkable, but given the roaring sing-along during it, “Lucille,” and “Daytime Friends,” it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out the die-hards would riot if they weren’t presented those gifts.

Though the audience hung on every word the superstar sang and spoke, anyone objectively observing could find fault during the higher-pitched ballads, which haven’t held up as gracefully as Rogers’ rockers. Sappy sentiments aside, “Through The Years” in particular fell prey to this problem and was even cut short by a verse, perhaps in submission to its far reaching range. The Bob Seger cover “We’ve Got Tonight” also found faulty footing, though Rogers’ garble was covered up by his duet partner of the evening, Linda Davis, and a highly competent eight-piece band that tightly transitioned through each swelling crescendo.

Despite those missteps, Rogers proved he has life left when singing more age-appropriate material, such as the touching, midtempo love song “Buy Me A Rose” (a perfect Valentine’s Day prequel) or his recent smash, “The Last Ten Years (Superman).” Besides being more flattering to his voice, the latter was a remarkably poignant tribute to those lost throughout the past decade, from Johnny Cash and Ray Charles to real-life Superman himself, Christopher Reeve. And as Rogers rebounded even further with a super-charged rendition of “Islands In The Stream,” he made it clear “The Gambler” won’t be throwing in the towel anytime soon, and from now through retirement, will live out his legend to the fullest.

— Andy Argyrakis

Category: Live Reviews, Weekly