Reviews: Brian Wilson, Bon Jovi, A Perfect Circle, Adrian Belew

This week’s selection of concert reviews from entertainment writers around North America include Brian Wilson in Edmonton, Alberta; Bon Jovi  in Philadelphia; A Perfect Circle in Phoenix; and Adrian Belew Power Trio in  in St. Louis.

Hard Rock International – Brian Wilson
Hard Rock Live, Hollywood, Fla.

Brian Wilson @ Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium in Edmonton, Alberta, April 12  – “Where’s Wilson’s voice has changed and suffered remarkably like many entities after half a century, [guitarist Al] Jardine’s Burt-Ward-as-Robin youthfulness is still dependably crisp and elevating in person. He accounted for much of the night’s best banter. Besides support harmonies hidden in the shadows, the band’s vocal not-so-secret weapon was Jardine’s son, Matt — appropriately enough born in Pet Sounds’ 1966. He handled the frequently-needed falsettos of that other unnamed Boy in the old troupe, the absent one who had the nerve to fire Wilson a few years back.” – Fish Griwkowsky / Edmonton Journal

Bon Jovi @ Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa., April March 31 – “The list of subpar vocals on Friday night was long, but especially poor were the heavier new track ‘We Don’t Run,’ the verses to ‘Born to Be My Baby,’ and ‘Have a Nice Day,’ where every note not landing in Jon’s comfortable lower register was either shouted through or missed completely.” – Bobby Olivier / NJ.com

Scott Legato / RockStarProPhotography.com – Maynard James Keenan of A Perfect Circle
Rock On The Range, Crew Stadium, Columbus, OH

A Perfect Circle @ Comerica Theatre in Phoenix, Ariz., April 10 – “One thing that’s genuinely shocking is how good Keenan sounds live. The man’s voice is note-for-note perfect compared to how he sounds on record. It’s like he hasn’t aged a day. I can’t think of many singers I’ve heard live who sound so close to their recorded selves that you couldn’t tell the difference if you were listening to them blindfolded. I’m not the biggest Tool fan (hey, you there in the Lateralus shirt, fight me), but the man’s vocal prowess can’t be denied.” – Ashley Naftule / Phoenix New Times

Adrian Belew Power Trio @ Old Rock House in St. Louis, Mo., March 31 – “Though he clearly has a few years on his younger companions, Belew’s playful enthusiasm lessens the gap. Whether pounding the neck of the guitar on “Big Electric Cat,” scampering his up and down the strings with fingers like a spider on “Three of a Perfect Pair,” or being compelled by the magnetic pull of “Heartbeat,” Belew plays like the consummate session musician, full of humility, gratitude, and drive, occasionally pausing to sop up the sheen of sweat from his forehead with a hefty gym towel. He grinned ear-to-ear from beginning to end, pleased as could be with the sounds he was producing, barely containing the exciting about what he knew was about to come.” – Courtney Dowdall / Playback STL