Scott Weiland HOB Review
Friday, December 19, 2008
By Aaron Keker
HOUSE OF BLUES, Chicago – The grandest of all entrances occurred as Scott Weiland entered the stage at the House of Blues in Chicago.
One of rock’s legendary vocalists gracefully walked on stage in a three-piece suit, wearing sunglasses, a red Fedora and holding a lit cigarette.
Scott Weiland approached the microphone and melodically opened with The Smiths’ cover “Reel Around the Fountain.” When the song concluded, the audience cheered with excitement.
As the evening progressed, Scott Weiland became more comfortable in his performance. Scott proceeded to remove his jacket on “Killing Me Sweetly” and his sunglasses on “Paralysis.”
Last evening was not your typical performance by Scott Weiland, which you may be used to hearing, when he fronted Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver.
Scott Weiland and his band possess more of a bluesy melodic rock sound than the fast-paced rock anarchy of Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver.
You could tell that Scott feels more at peace with the bluesy rock sound. Scott’s most memorable remarks were, “That would never appear on a STP album” and “This isn’t Velvet Revolver.”
One last remark summed up the entire evening of Scott Weiland’s performance. Just moments before Scott Weiland performed another cover “Waitin’ for a Superman” by The Flaming Lips he remarked, “I love seeing those smiling faces.”
The smiling faces really enjoyed Scott Weiland’s bluesy performance but you could tell that they wanted to hear some Stone Temple Pilots.
So Scott accommodated the audience’s smiling faces with “Unglued” and “Interstate Love Song.” Although, I enjoyed Scott Weiland’s performance on “Unglued,” I would have preferred to hear “Big Empty.” As the songs concluded, Scott Weiland received a powerful ovation.
As Scott Weiland performed “Big Black Monster,” he was overshadowed with smoke all around him. When he finally arose and started dancing and singing, he shook several audience members’ hands near the conclusion of the song.
Before the encore, Scott Weiland ended his performance with “Barbarella.”
After the powerful encore, the audience was greeted with a bubbling performance on “Beautiful Day.” As the bubbles descended down to earth, Scott melodically kept singing even with the microphone distortion.
Scott Weiland concluded his performance with one of his most popular songs “Missing Cleveland.” As Scott Weiland left the stage he remarked, “Thank you very much Chicago.”
Finally, I really enjoyed the melodic overtone that Scott Weiland displayed last evening. It may not be the typical sound that you are used to hearing in Scott Weiland but it appears to be something that he really embraces. Even the audience embraced Scott Weiland’s performance with their energetic enthusiasm and smiling faces. If you enjoyed Scott Weiland’s performance, make sure you purchase “Happy” In Galoshes and the video forParalysis on iTunes now. Below is the set list for Scott Weiland’s performance at the House of Blues in Chicago.
Chicago House of Blues Set List:
1. “Reel Around the Fountain”
2. “Killing Me Sweetly”
3. “Unglued”
4. “Paralysis”
5. “Mockingbird Girl”
6. “Waitin’ for a Superman”
7. “Big Black Monster”
8. “Blind Confusion”
9. “Interstate Love Song”
10. “Blister on My Soul”
11. “Barbarella”
Encore:
12. “Beautiful Day”
13. “Missing Cleveland”
