American Idol winner performs at Mullins
Meghan Murphy, Collegian Staff
Issue date: 2/21/08 Section: Arts & Living
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The three years since her "American Idol" win have transformed the Oklahoma native into a completely different performer. Her stage presence has evolved, focusing more on pumping up the crowd than on showcasing her vocal talents.
Underwood started off shakily with the first track off her new CD, "Flat on the Floor." She rose out of the stage from underneath, which made for an exciting entrance, but the vocals through her first few songs were mediocre as she began her set.
Following the first five songs, she changed into a floor-length blue dress and transitioned into Grammy award-winning song "Jesus Take the Wheel." The song was one of her earliest singles and the first of the night from her first album. The crowd instantly recognized the song, and Underwood let them sing the first chorus on their own.
The crowd's reaction to the song gave her an obvious confidence boost and energy for the middle of her performance. She followed "Jesus Take the Wheel" with powerful ballad "I Know You Won't."
This song and the ones that followed finally showcased Underwood's true vocal abilities, creating a different stage presence than earlier in the show. She shifted to a series of more upbeat songs with "I Ain't In Checotah Anymore" and "Crazy Dreams."
Towards the end of the show, Underwood seemed to lose momentum a bit. "All-American Girl" was well-received, but she seemed to have lost some of her energy by the time she got to "So Small," one of her newer songs.
Underwood's encore started with a ballad and moved on to an unlikely choice, a Guns 'N Roses cover. As more of a ballad performer, '80s metal is not where her strengths lie. It wasn't her best song vocally, but gave her band a chance to have fun and do something different onstage. She ended her set with her latest and most successful hit, "Before He Cheats." This was a definite crowd favorite.
Although Underwood's catchier songs carry her albums, her ballads were where her voice really shone in a live performance. She seemed most comfortable with the slower songs, during which she gave herself a chance to belt out the strong notes and showcase her talent.
Josh Turner opened for Underwood with a simple set that featured his deep, crooning voice. "Would You Go With Me" from his 2006 album "Your Man" was especially popular with the female portion of the Mullins Center crowd.
Meghan Murphy can be reached at mmurphy@dailycollegian.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 10
laura
posted 2/21/08 @ 8:01 AM EST
i thought she was ok. she sounds way better on her cds and i thought she was kind of stiff on the stage and the GnR part looked really like she was trying too hard to be a rocker and not natural at all. (Continued…)
laura lee
laura lee
posted 2/21/08 @ 8:05 AM EST
i thought she was ok. she sounds way better on her cds and i thought she was kind of stiff on the stage and the GnR part looked really like she was trying too hard to be a rocker and not natural at all. (Continued…)
laura lee
laura lee
posted 2/21/08 @ 10:08 AM EST
i thought she was just ok. she sounds way better on her cds and i thought she was kind of stiff on the stage and the GnR part looked really like she was trying too hard to be a rocker and not natural at all. (Continued…)
Jeanne Murphy
posted 2/21/08 @ 2:39 PM EST
Nice job, Meg. I can't wait until Sunday night now when I get to see her! Hopefully she'll be even more confident by the time she gets to Providence. (Continued…)
Allison
posted 2/21/08 @ 4:13 PM EST
Thanx for the review! I agree that she is amazing on the ballads- but I disagree with your assessment of her vocals on the faster songs-- she rocked that Guns N Roses cover! The crowd LOVED it and really came to life. (Continued…)
Barry Simon
posted 2/21/08 @ 5:06 PM EST
Were you aware that Carrie has been sick?
david cradic
posted 2/22/08 @ 11:52 PM EST
You obviously dont or didnt care that Carrie has been very much under the weather. Yet she goes out there and gives it her all despite that fact. I really think you went in there with your mind made up already what you were going to write. (Continued…)
Irene Adams
posted 2/23/08 @ 10:26 PM EST
I saw her in Wilkes Barre. She sounds better on her cd's. My cousin and I were disappointed in the concert. I would not go again to see her. It was loud and it was like going to a rock concert. (Continued…)
Irene
Irene
posted 2/23/08 @ 10:33 PM EST
I attended her concert in Wilkes Barre, PA. My cousin and I did not enjoy it. She sounds better on her CD's. It was more like a loud rock concert yet our local critic gave her a good rating. (Continued…)
Andrew
posted 3/01/08 @ 12:57 AM EST
Carrie Underwood definitely did an amazing job at the Mullins Center. It was the greatest show I have ever seen and I did not know until afterward that she was a bit under the weather. (Continued…)
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