This is an open forum for staff members, contributers, and fans alike to submit their reviews on the latest music releases and concerts. In an industry that is drowning with overprocessed, grossly overrated, unoriginal crap these days, this is our chance to allow the real stars to shine, if only on our humble, little stage; and expose you to some of our favorite talents.
Reviews are given 1 - 5 stars.
J.D. Fortune is an incredibly generous performer. Just don’t try to steal his clothing.
Fortune is the Canadian singer who emerged victorious on Rock Star: INXS, the televised contest to win the gig of replacing the late Michael Hutchence as leader of the multi-platinum selling Australian band. And he has proven himself entirely up to the task.
I first saw the new INXS lineup, which paired Fortune with guitarist Tim Farriss, keyboardist Andrew Farriss, drummer Jon Farriss, saxophonist Kirk Pengilly, and bassist Garry Beers, back in February, just a few months after the television show wrapped, and the new single “Pretty Vegas” was on the charts. As a long-time INXS fan who had been lucky enough to see the band with Michael Hutchence during the “X” tour, it was incredibly gratifying to see them back on stage and completely re-energized by their new lead singer. They absolutely killed that night.
Nine months later, and things are a bit different. The news broke recently that INXS was dropped (or parted ways, depending on who you believe) from their American record label, after sales of 375,000 copies of “Switch,” the new album with Fortune. I was surprised to learn this, as I found the album to be a solid, filler-free effort, showcasing the classic INXS sound with Fortune contributing ably on vocals. Given the news, I wasn’t sure what kind of vibe to expect at this point in the tour.
In the moments before the show began, a digital counter over the stage timed down the last five minutes as AC/DC’s “TNT” played. When the curtain dropped, the band immediately went into “Suicide Blonde.” (I like to think of it as my personal theme song, on the rare occasion that I’m having an unusually good hair day.) Fortune looked smashing, clad in a skinny black suit and tie, ultra-long grey scarf, and shades. Of course, various items of clothing started coming off almost immediately.
It was readily apparent from the start of the show that something was off – the feeling in the room wasn’t quite right. The first part of the concert, including “Mystify,” “Disappear,” and “By My Side,” simply lacked energy. It was very, very different from the performance I had seen earlier this year. It seemed as if the band members were merely going through the motions. Of course, this could be attributed to long months on the road, but in any case, it was a bit disheartening to see.
Fortune, however, was the exception. From the start of the show, he was constantly in motion. He is one limber dude – I think he could teach a master class in rock crouching. Rather than just relying though on the overtly sexual movements in his arsenal, Fortune sought to connect with audience members on a personal level. I can honestly say that I don’t think I’ve seen another performer work a crowd quite so well.
Frequently, Fortune made direct contact with those in the first several rows – at one point handing out plastic cups (held out at crotch level) and a few songs later filling them up with champagne. He took a camera from an audience member and shot photos of himself and the other band members before handing it back. Of course, when he was ready to return it, he had understandably forgotten exactly whom he had taken it from, and tried to give it back to the wrong woman. (Note to self: don’t hand the expensive camera over to J.D.) And the girls in the crowd were not the only ones receiving attention – the men in attendance seemed very comfortable with him. Accordingly, he was pretty free with the love for them as well.
Fortune also verbalized his appreciation for the audience, thanking the crowd several times for buying tickets to the show, and noting repeatedly how important the concept that “we’re all connected” is to him. In order to illustrate this, he pointed out, “I’ve tried to look everybody in the eyes tonight.”
Perhaps inspired by Fortune’s on-stage energy, things picked up by the middle of the show. The pace quickened with “Taste It,” and the other band members started to look a bit livelier, with Tim Farriss even cracking a few smiles. The band continued with a few selections from “Switch,” including “Hungry” and “Never Let You Go,” before moving onto the musical highlight of the show, “Need You Tonight,” unquestionably the best performance of the evening. At the song’s conclusion, Fortune segwayed into a rhyme, speaking to the audience like an ultra-skinny, slam poet preacher. I don’t recall much from this first rap, but the second, which prefaced a nice rendition of “Pretty Vegas,” was notable for the inclusion of the phrase “chocolate-chip orgasm.” Hmm.
After continuing with a few more INXS classics, like “Devil Inside” and “Original Sin,” the band closed the show with a four-song encore set including “New Sensation” and a solid cover of Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues.” During the final song of the evening, “Don’t Change,” Fortune sought to reach out to members of the crowd seated a bit further back, and walked rather far out into the audience. As he walked down the aisle, an overly zealous fan grabbed the undone tie that was around his neck. Fortune immediately charged back to her, attempted to get the tie back, and, when unsuccessful, grabbed her and spoke into her ear in what appeared to be a harsh manner. (I had a pretty good view of the whole incident.) Apparently still upset by what had transpired as he finished the song back on stage, Fortune responded to applause by saying, “thank you…but don’t take a brother’s tie, ask first.”
Of course, he was justified in his anger – the fan essentially mugged him. Still, I couldn’t help but find the whole thing kind of funny.
Overall, even though this particular show was lacking, I’ll definitely be back. I have confidence that the band will once again return to form. Because INXS’s deep catalog and solid musicianship, paired with Fortune’s ability to connect with his audience, make for an unbeatable combination.
Next time, though, I need to get better seats, so he can pour me some of that champagne. I’ll just have to control myself from trying to swipe his belt.
Reviewed by: Heather Kobrin | November 2006
