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Music

Chris Isaak, the luckiest guy in rock

By SEAN DALY
Published September 2, 2006

CLEARWATER

In a fair world, Chris Isaak would be as sad and lonely as the songs he sings. In a just world, the swinging 50-year-old bachelor would have long ago lost those movie-star-hunky looks, that cool wave of hang-ten hair, that peerless high-lonesome croon he learned at the School of Roy Orbison, for whom he once opened.

But some guys have all the luck ... and the looks ... and the talent ... and the ladies falling at their cowboy boots. And in front of 1,791 swooning fans oh yeah, swooning dudes, too at Ruth Eckerd Hall on Friday, Isaak, in his vintage sequined suits, proved that he just may be the luckiest rock star around.

Part rockabilly revivalist, part Vegas lounge singer, part smooth-talking cad, Isaak spent 100-plus minutes busting out hits (Somebody's Crying, Let Me Down Easy), pumping new blood into well-worn covers (Only the Lonely, I Want You to Want Me) and cranking out jokes and bada-bing banter like a Borscht Belt comic.

Isaak's show was a full-contact affair, and during a hammy take on Dean Martin's Return to Me and then his own Speak of the Devil, the hard-working singer hopped off the stage and into a crowd that instantly engulfed him.

"Are you wearing a ring?" he purred to one female fan.

"There's plenty for everybody, baby," he cracked to another.

Watch your back, Wayne Newton.

For all the zaniness, however, the music (a cool, kitchen-sink cocktail of country-meets-surf-meets-rock) was tight and sparkling. Isaak remains a tremendous vocalist with a mind-boggling range; you've heard Wicked Game thousands of times, but when Isaak nails it live, it's devastating. The notes he hits and holds would send most singers to the emergency ward.

It also helps that his five-piece band, Silvertone, with whom he has spent a lifetime, know all of the boss' tricks. Kudos especially go out to drummer Kenney Dale Johnson and bassist Roly Salley for seamlessly shifting tempo whenever their boss felt like going off setlist. (Also give props to the burly Johnson for his bluesy tune about NyQuil. There's an endorsement deal coming any day now.)

The highlights of the night included: Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing, that ominous ode to infidelity which Isaak stretched out with extra twang and menace - not to mention a hilarious story about dirty dealings in a double-wide. The sweet, soaring Let Me Down Easy, featured on his quirky Showtime comedy series, made for a nice sing-along.

And then there was Go Walking Down There, a ripper of a rock song that requires Isaak to go high and low, howl and coo. With the guys charging and stomping behind him, the song built to a furious climax. If you were sitting at song's start, you were standing by the end. Wow.

If you can't be Chris Isaak, watching the man have the time of his life ain't too shabby, either.

Sean Daly can be reached at sdaly@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8467. His blog is at www.sptimes.com/blogs/popmusic.

[Last modified September 2, 2006, 07:05:56]