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Classic rock lands at Montage

BY PATRICE WILDING

STAFF WRITER

Published: Sunday, August 17, 2008

Updated: Sunday, August 17, 2008 8:53 AM EDT

http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/articles/2008/08/17/news/

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It was a nostalgic night Saturday at the Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain, as rockers Cheap Trick, Heart and Journey played to a packed pavilion and overflowing lawn.

Cheap Trick got concert-goers primed with a strong set of vintage hits, setting the mood for a night of classic rock fun.

At 8 p.m., a pigtailed synthesizer player heralded the beginning of Heart's set. Guitarist Nancy Wilson walked to centerstage and raised her arms to elicit a roar of screams from the crowd of 11,500, and the show opened with "Wild Child."

"Happy to be here," singer Ann Wilson rasped after the first song. "Happy to see you."

Instantly, the opening wails of "Magic Man," ripped through the pavilion. The crowd was on its feet to clap and gyrate along with the sexy rock ballad before the first line was sung. The tune gave each member of the band a chance to showcase their musical abilities, as the guitar, synth and drums alternated solos. Ann Wilson's voice soared as she belted the "try to understand" chorus and it reached its lowest register when she growled her way through the verses.

Starting in on "These Dreams," Nancy Wilson proved she could definitely hold a candle to her sister's voice. With Ann joining Nancy on guitar and on vocals during the choruses, the tune gave fans the opportunity to sway and hold their cell phones alight.

Fans were delighted once again to hear a familiar favorite as Heart offered up "Alone." The crowd cheered Ann Wilson on as she wowed anyone within earshot with her powerful voice. Perhaps the best part of her performances was that as a seasoned vet of the stage, she knew exactly when to hold back that power and when to unleash it on listeners, reminding all in attendance what a female vocalist with real talent should sound like.

The band finished out their forty minute set with possibly their biggest single, "Barracuda." Nancy Wilson giddily shredded through the classic opening riff, and Ann Wilson walked to the microphone and grabbed it with an authority that made it clear she was about to leave everyone in her wake.

After nearly five minutes of deafening screams, the Wilson sisters emerged for an encore.

After a killer rendition of Led Zeppelin's "Going to California," Nancy proved herself worthy of such praise as she strummed melodically on an acoustic guitar for the opening of "Crazy on You." As an electric guitar kicked in after her solo, she jumped up and down, whipping her head around as if she was more excited than any of the fans to hear the song.

Ann brought the house down with what was by far her best vocal work, prompting several interruptions from the crowd that kept shouting and clapping in awe at her.

And though Heart was a tough act to follow, Journey seemed more than up to the challenge. With Arnel Pineda replacing Steve Perry on singing detail, the crowd appeared hesitant at first of the unfamiliar face. The audience quickly warmed, however, when the new frontman revealed a voice that sounded uncannily like his predecessor's.

Similarly, the band showcased a real dedication to pleasing fans with all the songs they had come to know and love over the last couple decades, faithfully performing hit after hit from their lengthy career.

Contact the writer: pwilding@timesshamrock.com