Poison / Cinderella
First Midwest Bank Amphitheater 6/21/06

As Cinderella hit the stage, it was clear that a musical onslaught would ensue with all of the intensity Tom Keifer and Jeff Labar could deliver. Usually a metal show of this nature is more glitz and glam than a diamond in the rough. This show however, had the familiar songs such as “The More Things Change”, “ Push, Push”, “Hot and Bothered”, and “Somebody Save Me” played with an intensity that breathed a new life into old favorites. From show to show you may witness a version of a song that will leave you awe struck and every time you discuss the show the hair on the back of your neck will stand up. Recently, I witnessed an unforgettable version of “Home Sweet Home” by Motley Crue in Rockford, Illinois and before that was “Mr. Brownstone” by Velvet Revolver, which had Slash’s incendiary guitar work leaving an unforgettable experience. But tonight it was “Nobody’s Fool”. While Keifer screamed his heart out, he was visibly spent and gave everything he had to give on this emotional roller coaster. The crowd was chanting along as if they were making a statement rather than just the usual sing along to the line, I’m Not Your Fool!

After Tom and the boys regained their composure, “Gypsy Road”, “Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone)”, and their signature “Shake Me” thoroughly showed the entranced crowd that even though it has been nearly 20 years since the first time these songs were heard, they stood the test of time and remain viable in today’s market. I think that even though they were the “Belle of the Ball” in the past, some new music from Cinderella may show that they can put the glass slipper on one more time.

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Shortly after Cinderella finished their set, Poison emerged to the stage and played to my surprise, a very respectable crowd that saw the lawn a third of the way filled even after storms were in the area. I guess Mother Nature can’t stop Rock-N-Roll. 

They kicked the evening off with “Look What The Cat Dragged In” and “ I Want Action” it was apparent that this was going to be a fun set with Bret Michaels captivating the audience as he belted out the lyrics to the songs made famous nearly 20 years ago. They played a cover version of “American Band” which was a lot of fun because it is a great song regardless of who sings it and I can’t help but wonder why Poison doesn’t play new material along with the hits. They played  14 songs and one was from C.C.’s side project Samantha 7. They could easily have played the hits and added 6-8 more new songs. Don’t get me wrong, I have seen Poison a half a dozen times in the past few years and this by far was the most fun they brought forth. I genuinely believed that they were enjoying themselves as much as the crowd. The pyrotechnics were great and the video screens kept showing clips of them performing during the first go-around. Poison played to the crowd and really finished the set off strong with “Every Rose Has It’s Thorn”, “Unskinny Bop”, “Don’t Need Nothin’ But A Good Time”, and “Talk Dirty To Me”. 

The nostalgia is great and a lot of fun, but the future is what keeps us striving to achieve more. I am certain that Poison could make music that would rival the old hits and make some new ones. - Rob

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