Concert Review: Alice Cooper, May 16, Winnipeg, Canada
Published May 22, 2006
He opened the show with a track that I wasn't familiar with, "Department of Youth" off 1975's Welcome To My Nightmare, followed by "No More Mr. Nice Guy," "Dirty Diamonds" and several well-worn favorites including "Million Dollar Babies," "Be My Lover," "Lost In America," "I'm Eighteen," "Go To Hell," "Feed My Frankenstein," "Welcome to My Nightmare," "I Never Cry," "Woman Of Mass Destruction," "Only Women Bleed," and "Poison."
Never one to disappoint, Alice appeared on stage with a long, light green boa constrictor, which weaved its way around him and through his shock of jet-black hair. I have wondered if the snake is affected by the loud sounds but I suppose it isn't. No Alice Cooper show would be complete without seeing him wrapped in a straight jacket and his beheading and we were treated to these once outrageous spectacles once again.
This must have been absolutely shocking to parents in the early '70s but for many years now, the beheading is simply a campy, quaint trick. Throughout the show, a leather bikini-clad dancer acted her way into several of songs, with a pair of flailing whips and then later on, dressed up as a nurse and then as a Paris Hilton knock-off. This dynamic young lady turned out to be his 25-year-old daughter, actress/dancer Calico Cooper.
Former member of Kiss Eric Singer showed up on drums. Guitarist Keri Kelli plays with other bands, including Skid Row, and Slash's Snakepit, among others. Damon Johnson, who also favour Gibson guitars, has recorded with musicians as diverse as Faith Hill, John Waite, Sammy Hagar and Damn Yankees. Bassist Chuck Garric is another veteran, having played with La Guns, Dio, Gilby Clarke, Lynch Mob and Billy Bob Thornton. Alice Cooper sidemen, with the exception of the drummer, appeared to be decades younger.
While not unbelievable players, they were razor sharp and more than adequate. I would have appreciated seeing some more spontaneous interplay between them, however.
He's been a true innovator and his influence continues to live on in the multitudes of bands who seek to shock as they entertain us. Alice Cooper is mostly a nostalgia act these days, however, so long as he is able to confidently effortlessly perform, let's hope he remains a vital touring icon for a few more years.
May 16, 2006
Centennial Concert Hall
Winnipeg, Canada
attendance: 1400
My rating for this show is 4/5.
Almost weekly, Triniman catches new movies, and adds one or two CDs to his collection. Due to time constraints, he blogs about only 5% of the CDs, books and DVDs that he purchases. Holed up in the geographic centre of North America, the cultural mecca of Canada, and the sunniest city north of the 49th, Winnipeg, Triniman blogs a bit when he's not swatting mosquitoes, shovelling snow or golfing.
- Concert Review: Alice Cooper, May 16, Winnipeg, Canada
- Published: May 22, 2006
- Type: Review
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Classic Rock and Oldies, Music: Hard Rock, Music: Live Concerts, Music: Metal
- Writer: Triniman
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He's still going strong, but I suppose his popularity if waning. The band Seether played a show a few days after Cooper and outsold him. Maybe his ticket prices were higher, but I get the feeling that he may not pack 'em in like he used to, despite his multi-generational appeal.
Thanks for the great review, complete with the bios of the bandmates! You've never heard the studio version of Department Of Youth?!?!?
The ending is fucking classic Cooper!
Alice: "Who's got the power?"
Kid's Chorus: "We Do!"
Alice: "And who gave it to you?"
Kid's Chorus: "Donny Osmond!"
Alice: "What?!?!"
Bennett, no I can't say I recall that song, but I will go give it a listen!
Have you seen the Coop?
I was 13-14 when his big albums came out, but somehow didn't catch him live. By the time I owned everything he put out he seemed to be off tour for a few years.
A shame, I know, as Love It To Death, Killer, Billion Dollar Babies etc. contain some of the most inspired rock of the 70's.
Bennett;
If you're up to it - and have the time - why not blog about what you consider to be the most inspired rock albums of the 70s? You no doubt know that there's a renewed interest in classic rock, especially among young people, and some of us older folks would love to read passionate articles about the music, as well. I didn't get big into music until the early 80s and feel I missed out on the great music from the 70s. I never bought into that crazy belief that there wasn't great music in that decade.
Ah Triniman, I'd love to stir the pot in that direction, but with an 8 week old at home, and a crunch time with the job, it's all I can do to just visit BC every few days.
If I were to write up something, The Who's Quadrophenia would be high on my list. The Tubes, UFO, AC/DC, Queen, Elton John, The Ramones, and Alice Cooper would all be noted as having an impact on my tender psyche.
There was a lot of great bands during my high school years!
Alice has a new album out July 29th, 2008. Here are the details.
Germany, Austria, Switzerland: July 25
Rest of Europe: July 28
North America: July 29
The CD was co-produced by Greg Hampton and Danny Saber in Los Angeles.
Alice recently told Billboard.biz that his forthcoming LP is "a real 'Alice' album. Conceptually, it's going to be pretty interesting."
Cooper wouldn't reveal too many details, but said the album is based on a fictional serial killer named Spider, who wraps his victims in a silk web. "Every song is sort of a letter to the police," he explains. "They think they're investigating it from the outside, but he's actually woven them into the whole thing."
"Along Came A Spider" track listing (in alphabetical order):
01. Catch Me
02. Hungry
03. I Am The Spider
04. I Know Where You Live
05. (In Touch With) Your Feminine Side
06. Killed By Love
07. Salvation
08. The One That Got Away
09. Vengeance Is Mine
10. Wake The Dead
11. Wrapped In Silk
The album will be out July 29th in North America. Ozzy Osbourne will be making an appearance on Harmonica for the track (In Touch With Your Feminine Side) and Slash will be making an appearance as well.
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Wow, Alice is still going strong at 58. I thought he was fantastic on the Brutally Live concert DVD, but that was six years ago. I recently picked up the Billion Dollar Babies tour DVD, but I haven't had a chance to watch it yet. It will be interesting to watch him in his prime, since I was never lucky enough to see him in person.