If you’ve never been to Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom in Denver, Colorado, let me clue you in on a few things. It’s one of those great independently run venues — meaning not run by a big conglomerate like Live Nation or House of Blues — that seldom exists anymore. Because of that the venue is more about the music than the bureaucratic rules and curfews that dominate the majority of venues these days and in turn magic often happens inside the walls of Cervantes.
Too Short's March 1st show was one of those nights. As many music fans know rap shows are usually not worth the ticket price, but tonight was an exception. Too Short’s live appearances have become increasingly rare but Short is currently experiencing a resurgence in popularity behind the success of his latest album Blow the Whistle, and has been doing a number of shows in support of it.
The evening started as many rap shows do with a long litany of unremarkable and unmemorable local hip-hop acts warming up the crowd and a DJ filling in the gaps between acts. The first of these local bands went on at nine and by the time midnight rolled around the crowd was growing restless, and quite drunk, and chanting for Too Short to take the stage.
Not a moment too soon actor Tom Green, most famous for his MTV show and for his brief marriage to the physically and intellectually stunning Drew Barrymore, made an unannounced entrance and the crowds focus shifted to watching Green drink at the bar and have a rip-roaring good time. I’m not sure why he was in town but he had a camera crew in tow the whole time and I’m willing to bet video of his exploits will be making the rounds soon.
Not too long after Green showed up Too Short took the stage and the party began. Short started out with a salvo of newer material like “Shake That Monkey” and the obligatory "Blow the Whistle." During the latter he invited a bunch of the female members of the audience up onstage and Tom Green soon followed suit with his camera crew right behind him.
Short then preceded to rip through classics like “Life is…Too Short,” “Freaky Tales” and even more obscure tunes like “Gettin' It” and "I'm a Player." During “The Ghetto” Tom Green took over the mike and actually belted out some decent free-styling. Short ended the show with the crowd favorite “Blowjob Betty,” and a promise of an all-night after party. The crowd left knowing that they saw a truly unique Too Short performance and another magical night of music at Cervantes.
Article comments