At American Airlines Center, Tina Turner was fabulous and flaunted it08:05 AM CDT on Monday, October 27, 2008
By MARIO TARRADELL / Music Critic
mtarradell@dallasnews.comTina Turner. In a word — fabulous.
The 68-year-old icon performed for more than two hours Sunday night at American Airlines Center during her first tour in eight years. Before what looked like a hair-from-sold-out crowd, Tennessee's Anna Mae Bullock rocked 'n' rolled, turned soulful, got the blues and even summoned the heavens during a bit of Tina-styled gospel.
The woman looked fabulous, easily fitting into mini-dresses that showed off her lithe legs. She's a force of nature, maybe even a freak of nature. Time has been mighty kind to her, both physically and artistically. She offered up a career-spanning set of songs, all of which felt new again in her capable hands.
The opener, "Steamy Windows," and her signature tune, "What's Love Got to Do With It," among others, proved every number for her is an emotional experience. She puts her being into each song.
She also knows how to put on a show that delivered on spectacle without ever using flash to compensate for a lack of artistry. Ms. Turner chews up production. During "We Don't Need Another Hero" from the 1985 film Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, she was in the classic costume for her role as Aunty Entity. With dancers in appropriate get-up, she sang under a steel arbor-like contraption.
For "Goldeneye," it was all about Bond, James Bond. She emerged from a lighted ring up high. Her dancers were decked out in gold trench coats.
The eye candy was wonderful. But she doesn't need it. She was fiery during "What You Get Is What You See," sultry during "Private Dancer," explosive during "Undercover Agent for the Blues," electric during the Rolling Stones' "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and fearless during "Nutbush City Limits." She sang that one from a crane that stretched out into different areas of the audience.
Watching Tina Turner perform is akin to witnessing entertainment royalty. She remains simply fabulous.
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