THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, April 24, 1995 TAG: 9504240057
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Concert Review
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
Brooks & Dunn, country's hottest twosome, have been lauded for their records, videos and original songs - but to fully appreciate these wild men, get to one of their concerts.
They were at Hampton Coliseum Saturday night, doing what they have been doing for the past couple years - playing to a full house.
There were gimmicks galore, including a humongous replica of a skeletal steer head complete with laser eyes. Gimmicks are fun, but the music made the night.
For one thing, both Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn have powerful voices; they sound terrific together or in the solo spot.
The guys seldom stay in one spot. They are movers. At one point, Dunn was in the audience, then went swinging back to the stage on a rope, Tarzan-style.
They did settle down at times, once for a heartfelt tribute to the Eagles.
The Brooks & Dunn music is varied - country, plus cowboy, a hoedown and some rock. Whatever they played, they related well to their fans.
Favorites included ``Brand New Man,'' ``Neon Moon'' and ``Rock My World.''
The latter turned into a major production spotlighting their excellent band.
The fans' big love, of course, was the finale, a jamming version of ``Boot Scootin' Boogie,'' which has become their trademark song.
All the bands at the Saturday concert get high marks.
David Ball works with some excellent musicians and, conversely, his musicians work with an excellent singer.
He may have a ``Thinkin' Problem,'' but he should have no problem achieving star status.
Ball has a powerful voice that runs from the Coliseum to Scope.
``What Do You Want With His Love,'' his newest release, should wend its way to top-five status.
One song that did that, many moons ago, was ``Pick Me Up On Your Way Down,'' his concert opener.
Another oldie the fans appreciated came from the Presley songbook. Justice was done to ``Heartbreak Hotel.''
There was no hint of heartbreak with the opening act.
The Tractors made the mose of their 15 minutes onstage. They concentrated on ``Boogie Woogie Choo-Choo Train,'' the piece that made them a hot commodity.
The honky-tonkers in the audience obviously enjoyed themselves - plenty of applause and cheering but, unlike some other concerts, they were very well-behaved.
Well, two yo-yos hopped onstage while Brooks & Dunn were doing their thing, but they were quickly dragged to an exit.
As the Brooks & Dunn song says - ``that ain't no way to go.'' by CNB