Review of concert from 2002-10-02: Phoenix, AZ, Dodge Theatre - with Imposters
- Mark Naylor

 

This is what rock 'n' roll was and can still be

Elvis ripped thru the desert like a late summer monsoon Wednesday night. He opened with I Hope Your Happy Now and proceeded to perform a sublime live set. Highlights included Tart, Clubland, Beyond Belief, I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down, Indoor Fire Works (this was worth the price of admission on it's own), Almost Blue (I damn near cried), and Tear Off Your Own Head. Steve Nieve was genius. He jumped from keys to thermin to melodica like a mad chemist mixing the most potent of potions. Elvis saw some of the fans trying to get up front and dance but the security folks (just doing their job) were returning them to their seats. Elvis motioned for everyone to come up and the fans filled the aisles dancing. This is what rock and roll was and can still be; spontaneous, joyous, everyone having fun together. I turned 42 on Monday. I thought that I would never experience again the great fun of what a live show once was. Thanks Elvis for the great birthday gift.