Concert Reviews

Pam Tillis

De Anza Flint Center
October 9th, 1997

Concert Review by Jeff Krasky

One of country's most established artists made a low profile appearance at the De Anza Flint Center Thursday night. Those who made the trek to see Pam Tillis were far from disappointed when they left the building.

The Flint Center lends itself to a very down to earth performance. Without security guards pushing people around, fans could go and give their favorite star a rose, snap a photo or receive a hug without to much trouble. This fan interaction really steps up the quality of the concert, Pam seemed much more into the show than other artist I have seen under heavier security situations.

Pam opened with one of her more recent songs, the up-paced “Deep Down”. The crowd was wound up long before she even took to the stage, mainly because of the long intermission between her and the opening comedy act. The song and Pam received a deafening response.

After a few more songs, it was time for a tempo change. With a stool, a powerful voice and a couple of ballads, Pam let the crowed take a breather from the break-neck pace the show was running at.

After the short, “unplugged” set it was time to kick it back into high gear with songs like “Don't Tell Me What To Do”, where Pam made a fan in the front row come on stage and sing with her. This kind of interaction is something I have never seen before. Pam and her fan shared a mic and sang the rest of the song, having the time of their lives.

Then it was time for Pam and her background singers to have some fun. Three stools were brought onto the stage while Pam jokes that her band members doubled as furniture movers in their spare time. After everything was in place, Pam and her two background vocalists sang a few songs, just kicking back and having fun together.

With a third burst of energy Pam belted out a emotional mix of “All The Good Ones Are Gone”, followed with a joke about how Tim McGraw's “Don't Take The Girl” is a much more sad song, regardless of what anyone tells her. Her current single followed, receiving the loudest response of all of the songs up to it.

Pam then set into a series of older songs, from her first couple of albums. Many artists put songs in the closet after they reach a certain age, not Pam, she sang early hits like “Shake The Sugar Tree” and “Maybe It Was Memphis”. If anything, Pam sang these songs with more energy than her newer material.

After a hour and a half of music, Pam walked off the stage to a thunderous applause. Shortly after, her band members walked off as well and Pam stayed backstage while the crowed grew louder and louder.

Slowly the band members took their position back on the stage and Pam sprinted back onto stage to the crowds loud cheers. The two song encore included a dance mix of “Cleopatra, Queen of Denial”, one of the shows high points.

If you have a chance to catch Pam Tillis in your area don't pass it up. She is not one to miss.

Pam Tillis Live Concert Photos