Concert Reviews

Chely Wright

Like A Taste Of Old Time Country In Your Music? It's All Wright!

Concert Review by Darren O'Neill

This is a slightly different kind of concert review, as I had the pleasure of seeing Miss Chely Wright perform two shows only two days apart in Aurora and Joliet, Illinois. This review is thus a combined review of those two shows.

If there is one thing that's been missing with modern country music lately, it's a distinct link to it's historic past. Chely Wright has proven to me that she is aiming to do something about that, and soon. Debuting many new songs from her upcoming CD, which will be in stores on September 25th, Chely proved that mixing in a little old-time flavor can only make the finished product that much better.

She introduced one of the new tracks from her upcoming CD called “Jezebel” by talking about Loretta Lynn, and how it sounded like a song that Miss Loretta may have written back in her day. The song is about one woman telling another woman to keep her hands off her man, and the arrangement absolutely rocks! Think “Jolene” but better!

One of the new songs that got the best crowd reaction was a ballad entitled “One Night In Las Vegas” that showcased Chely's voice very well, and should be a chart topper. The presentation of this song was excellent as well, with Chely sitting on a stool at the front of the dark stage with the spotlight on her. She also played more upbeat, radio friendly songs from the new CD including “Horoscope” about how, even after a breakup, you still can't let go of those little things, like reading someone's horoscope in the paper. The shows opened with “Wouldn't It Be Cool” which seems like a perfect roll down the windows and drive song.

Chely also threw in her hits as well, including the #1 smash “Single White Female” and “Shut Up And Drive” as well as the brand new hit “Never Love You Enough.” If you haven't seen the video for “Never Love You Enough” you must not watch CMT, because the song has been the #1 requested video on Most Requested Live for like 40 straight days! That's a record that I doubt will ever be broken, and it's success is all due to Chely's awesome fan base!

I've seen my share of country (and rock) acts in concert, and I have to say that Chely interacts with the audience better than 99% of the other acts out there. At the show in Aurora, there was a gentleman on the side of the stage that stood up right when the show began and was yelling for Chely, so she walked over to the side of the stage to investigate. He was yelling “I love you Chely!” and she said “thank you, I love you too... who is that with you? Oh, your WIFE?? You are so walking home...” Then Chely said something like it's nice to know early who she's going to pick on for the rest of the night!

Musically, both nights, Chely was just as on target. It occurred to me that what separates Chely from a lot of the other female artists out right now is that she is a true country singer. She can say more, and convey more emotion is a small change of her voice than most of the "scream it if you mean it" crowd can ever achieve. Chely is a throwback to the likes of her idols and influences like Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette, artists that can use subtlety to get the point across.

The other thing I really enjoyed about the shows was Chely's band. She's touring with a six piece crew that totally rocked the house. And, as you'll probably be able to tell from some of the photos, they were having a little too much fun on stage as well! In the picture below, Chely's guitar player Thad Beaty is fully enjoying the stories that Chely is telling the crowd about life on the road with her band filled with guys! It was nice to see the interaction between Chely and the band members all night long, as a lot of “divas” don't like to take the spotlight off of themselves long enough to showcase the talented musicians that they are touring with. Chely is a class act 100% of the way.

With her upcoming CD Never Love You Enough I think the time is right for Chely Wright to join the elite female artist's club with members like Faith, Shania and Martina. With the new material and the live performances as good as they are, there is absolutely no reason Chely can't stand side by side with these other performers. If Chely comes to your town, go out and see her, it's a show that you won't soon forget!

Chely Wright Live Concert Photos