By Christopher Sneed, Enid Buzz | Monday, June 20, 2016
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ENID, Okla. - No matter what generation you are from, most of the songs you heard on the radio as a teen will disappear into oblivion. A lot of the artists will become obscure, hanging on to one hit wonders or letting go of music altogether (Farewell, Lou Bega and Crash Test Dummies) . Then, there are artists like Pat Benatar and Neil Geraldo, who are officially the first performers in the newly named, Central National Bank Center. Benatar is considered one of the queens of rock and an 80’s icon. Her music is recognizable, strong, and bursting with attitude. It was June 16, 2016 and time for their Enid stop on the We Live For Love Tour. They were either going to deliver a tempered set of songs relying on nostalgia or they were going to hit us…you know…with their best shot.
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The crowd settled into place and the show started on time with a well-paced video history of the rock duo. It was met with an enthusiastic response. Suddenly, there they were…appearing like a high-priced magic act. They immediately opened with hits like “All Fired Up” and “Promises in the Dark,” with the same energetic vibe they originally showcased. Benatar was on point vocally, though these weren’t her toughest songs, technically. Meanwhile Geraldo came out swinging like a pro on the guitar. His raw talent was undeniable.
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As the show continued with songs like “Invincible” (a grammy-nominated single from the 1985 movie The Legend of Billie Jean) and “Shadows of the Night,” they never slowed down. They were still rock stars. About halfway through, they stripped away the drums and bass, giving us an acoustic set which included a fantastic version of “Outlaw,” which may have actually been better than the original. Despite being acoustic, it was no less electric, as evident by the continued fist-pumps and rhythmic swaying of the spectators.
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At one point, they stage turned a hue of purple and the pair did a brief tribute to the recently deceased Prince, with “When Doves Cry.” It seemed highly appropriate that they kept it so basic, generating the feeling that that moment really was about Prince. The other non-original hit they sang was Johnny Cash’s “Burning Ring of Fire.” It was a fun surprise, but far from a highlight of the show.
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We stepped into the third act. They had saved the best for last. “We Belong,” “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” “Love Is A Battlefield,” and “Hell Is For Children.” The latter was most impressive as it was the final moment that proved without a doubt that Benatar was a trained professional. Where other rockers like Annie Lennox or Axel Rose are still good, but have had to alter their songs to adjust for slightly aged vocals…Benatar had stepped through a time machine, bringing the lung power, pitch, and control to deliver “Hell Is For Children” the same way she did on the original album. To wrap things up, they performed “Heartbreaker,” breaking in between for a mini-medley of other songs, before returning and finishing.
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The great thing about this concert was that it did feed the nostalgia. We all know these songs and we were treated to faithful renditions of most of them. However, it still felt as fresh as a new artist, due in part to their energy and part in their special arrangements of some of the songs. His aggressive guitar and her power vocals married in this heart-racing show. It was wonderful to see them share the stage so comfortably; sharing brief stories, reminding us of their accomplished history, and having fun. Geraldo’s talents shined as brightly as hers. It was a well-planned, fiery two hours of a rock and pop class act that multiple generations were talking about on their way out the door. We were living for Pat Benatar and Neil Geraldo.
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Photographer: Christopher Sneed
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Benatar & Geraldo Concert Review
