March 27th, 2008 By Cody Williams
Concert Review: Carrie Underwood & Josh Turner
Being a fan of music in general, I try to attend every show that comes to town. Walking into Robert Stadium Wednesday night you would have thought Britney Spears was in town. The crowd was filled with screaming teenage girls and middle-aged mothers eager to see an American Idol in Evansville.
I was anticipating Josh Turners performance. He has such a Johnny Cash sound and style it is really refreshing compared to some of the newer country artist. The lights went out right at 7:30. Josh turner came out strumming his all black acoustic guitar to the melodies of his hit “Firecracker.” Josh played a few more songs then had the crowd in awe when he began to play his latest single “Another Try” featuring Trisha Yearwood. He had the crowd on there feet and interacting the entire set. The only disappointment was he only played for about 30 minutes. I look forward to hearing unreleased music at concerts not a set of radio songs.
Most of our readers may know Carrie from the ever popular American Idol. She won the title of American Idol in May of 2004. Another fun fact about Carrie is that she is certified 7 times platinum on her debut album, “Some Hearts.” It is the fastest selling debut country album in history.
If she could only put on a live show like she can sell records.
This is my second time seeing her. Her concert debut was here in 2006 with Kenny Chesney. This time around she is all by herself on that big stage. I was interested to see how being so new to the country music world she would keep 8,000 plus people entertained. Don’t get me wrong she has had her share of hits, but that doesn’t constitute being able to headline a concert. The crowd was not interacting with her at all.
The only entertaining thing about her performance was the intelligent lighting show. We ended up leaving the concert about 5 songs into her set I could not stand sitting in my chair watching her sing all ballads and parade around in different outfits every song.
I think this show would have been better if Josh Turner was headlining. Carrie needs to call up Kenny and get some tips from the 3 time entertainer of the year before she goes back on the road.
Editors note: Here’s video from the show uploaded by a YouTube user. The Courier has also published their review of the show which is the complete opposite of our review.
photo courtesy of letterten
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DISCLAIMER: The views expressed below are those of their authors and not necessarily endorsed or supported by It's Evansville. In all cases, the comments provided here are offered as a courtesy and will be moderated. Any content deemed off-topic or offensive will be removed without notice. Posting a comment here boils down to two things: 1.) Think before you type 2.) Respect the thoughts of others. See our commenting guidelines for more information.
Justin Williams
March 27, 2008 @ 10:53AM
You mean to tell me $6 beer couldn’t make the show better?
Eric
March 27, 2008 @ 11:45AM
I am not sure where the author of this article was sitting, but I had a totally different experience. I was on the floor within the first few rows. When Josh Turner entered the stadium and took the stage most of the floor audience did not even stand. The crowed continued to sit for the majority of his set. Josh Turner has a great voice and puts out great tracks, but he needs to work on his stage performance. The crowd seemed uninterested and distant. As the author of the C&P article stated, Turner remained in the center of the stage simply tapping his foot most of his performance.
Carrie Underwood commanded the stage and the crowed welcome her with a thunderous roar. She utilized the stage and engaged the audience by moving about. Most of the floor audience never returned back into their seat the whole time Carrie was on stage. To say that the crowd did not interact with Carrie is not an understatement - it is blatantly false. I believe this reviewer is not a Carrie fan at all and it shows in her review. I would expect a more unbiased review.
Perhaps this reviewer should actually attend the entire show before making an attempt at another review.
Justin Williams
March 27, 2008 @ 12:08PM
I’ll just point out that he purchased his own tickets to the show, which would constitute being some sort of fan.
Julie
March 27, 2008 @ 12:56PM
I’ve been to 2 of the Josh/Carrie concerts & Josh does steal the show. He doesn’t just stand there in the middle of the stage the entire time but I guess you need to be a true country music fan to appreciate Josh Turner. Now Carrie & her band plays & sings too loud all the time. Can never undertand what she is singing but I guess I need to be a true pop country Carrie fan to understand what she is singing.
Michael
March 27, 2008 @ 01:50PM
All that video proved was that the girl can sing her tail off.
Don
March 27, 2008 @ 01:53PM
And I would say he purchased that ticket for the sole intent of seeing Josh Turner.
Carrie was engaging the entire night. The crowd loved her.It might help when writing a review of an entire concert to stay for the entire concert.
Rob
March 27, 2008 @ 02:24PM
I think Cody was right on the money with his review. Carrie can sing… no question. But her ‘performance’ was just awful: Walk left. Walk right. Hit your marks. Do standard Nashville hip wiggle. Don’t trip.
The light show was far more entertaining that she was. I would even go so far as to say that the retina-burning visuals were purposefully designed to distract from her lack of performance abilities. Did she interact with the band at all? Does she even know their names? And the uncomfortably long and obvious costume changes that totally stopped the momentum of the show? Ugh.
And saving your Grammy-winning monster hit for the very last song/encore sure takes away any element of surprise. Speaking of the encore, that was the only part that actually seemed exciting and spontaneous. Who woulda thunk it? Carrie and Axl Rose share the same vocal range. But most of the crowd just looked stunned and confused during Paradise City.
Can’t say that it was worth the ticket price. YMMV.
Kelly
March 27, 2008 @ 02:27PM
I will point out that just because he purchased his own tickets does not mean he is a fan. He writes reviews, he was at the concert to gather his personal opinions for this review. It does not mean he is a fan.
zrx1200r
March 27, 2008 @ 02:49PM
personally, i’d rather read a review from an unbiased participant, not a die-hard “fan”…..
Jenna
March 27, 2008 @ 04:10PM
I actually saw Carrie Underwood at the NCAA in Indy, in monument circle. I actually really enjoyed her performance there, and that was before I had heard any of her songs. I think because so many of the fans are young and were never introduced to songs like Paradise City they completely get confused/thrown/annoyed when she starts singing it. However, I love Paradise City by Guns & Roses and was absolutely thrilled when I heard her singing it at the NCAA concert—I loved her rendition.
So, I wasn’t there last night…actually I didn’t even know she was in town to be honest! Woops. (and to think I live near the stadium) But I did enjoy her performance at the NCAA in Indy, especially her version of older songs. At that time I had never even heard her music and barely knew her name. I really love her cd now though.
Anyway, I think it is each to his own.
Jenna
March 27, 2008 @ 04:11PM
(@cody, p.s. I love the massive Kenny Chesney references…who would’ve thought you’d omit them? hehe)
david
March 27, 2008 @ 05:46PM
Some one wasn’t paying attention. Not only to Carrie but her brief history as well.
She’s not only an American Idol winner, she also has broken records in the entire music industry and was recently inducted into the country hall of fame where Randy Travis said she did a better job on his song than he does.
I did not attend this concert, though I would have loved to, but this young ladies brief past precedes her as an astounding performer.
You’ve made your point by releasing this article. You’ve gotten peoples attention.
sloppyjoe
March 27, 2008 @ 06:25PM
Nothing like a contrary user comment in the C&P to stir a little controversy and steer some readers to the old blog, eh? More unique visitors, more ad revenue, more cash for Josh. Don’t mistake me, I’m a capitalist too.
I’d like to see better writing and something unique, rather than stirring the pot. Anyone can be controversial. Let’s have some compelling reasons to continue visiting this place. Not much here I can’t get from NewsForU or whatever that God awful rag is called.
C’mon Justin, you can do better, and write better.
Justin Williams
March 27, 2008 @ 07:00PM
@sloppyjoe:
The site makes no money off ad revenue. It costs me more money to keep open and pay for the content than our small bit of advertising revenue bring in.
I tossed a link up on the Courier because I found it interesting how both reviews came from completely different ends of the spectrum. I have done that maybe 3 times in the year this site has existed.
If I really wanted to push eyeballs to the site, why wouldn’t I just put the URL in my byline each week in the print and online edition Courier?
If you don’t like the site’s content, it’s not for you. I really don’t lose sleep over the readers I don’t have.
cody
March 27, 2008 @ 08:30PM
@ david check your facts. the grand ole opry is not the country music hall of fame.
i am a die hard fan of country music. i own both of her albums. i have been to many many many concerts and think that my judgment stands. she may be a good singer but her stage performance was worse than zz top. i had no precedent when going into this concert. this review never said she wasn’t a good singer. she is a great singer i just though the performance and the layout of the songs was not the greatest.
also something i didn’t mention was her god awful attempt at making people believe she can play a guitar. give me a break. when you cant even strum to the melody of a song dont make a mockery of yourself.
ch
March 28, 2008 @ 12:18AM
The video clip makes me glad I stayed home…especially with the high-pitched girlie squeals right in the ear. What is this, a New Kids concert?
David
March 28, 2008 @ 08:08AM
My mistake, It was the Grand Ole Opry not the CMHOF. Regardless, this young lady has done an excellent job of proving her worth since she won American Idol. I have read nothing but excellent reviews across the nation until this reporters review. You are certainly entitled to your opinion, Cody, but maybe music reviews isn’t your area of expertise. You posted video of Carrie and she was all over the stage and gave a great performance from what I can see. Why isn’t there any footage of Josh Turner? From what I’ve heard it would have been much easier to keep the camera on him.
Good luck in the future.
Justin Williams
March 28, 2008 @ 09:41AM
@david - we didn’t shoot the video. someone else did and uploaded it to YouTube.
Kendra
March 28, 2008 @ 03:25PM
I thought the concert was actually good…. i like both singers and enjoyed both performances…carrie did great…no sence in bashing someone when you didn’t even stay for the whole concert…I find it very disrespectful.
Paula
March 28, 2008 @ 10:18PM
I find your review interesting and quite laughable, first off the first 5 songs were not ballads unless you consider Josh’s songs lullabys. And further more she only made one costume change in that time. I also find it interesting that you make a claim of the crowd not interacting with Carrie, I was there and the crowd was blowing the roof off of the place, I’m thinking you have some issue with pretty blonde girls who are popular and talented, maybe something happened in your past with one. My guess is that you didn’t even see the show and just wrote your review based on other reviews you have seen and just pieced those together. Hmmm cause you certainly weren’t at the same show I was.
Jenna
March 29, 2008 @ 04:26PM
@paula: you are more than welcome to express your opinion about the article and concert, but we request you refrain from making personal attacks
Tiffany
March 30, 2008 @ 10:12AM
Here is an unbiased review for you. I went to the concert Weds. night with 3 friends, they purchased my ticket in exchange for a ride. We were sitting on the floor and I have to admit I was suprised at how great Josh Turner was. The guy that was sittin in the first few rows must never havve looked back because where I was sitting people never sat down during his set. I like the original reviewer only wish he had played longer!! He definitely did not stand at the center of the stage the entire time and several times he interacted with the crowd “Sing it with me” held out the mic etc… When Carrie entered the stage the crowd went crazy I will admit that however after the first costume change I think momentum certainly went down, it was just rather awkward. However, she did interact with her band and did move across the stage but not too entertaining I like her voice but she definitely needs to work on her stage show. At the end of the night I did however purchase a Josh Turner CD he has a new fan in me. Hope this is helpful to anyone who is thinking about attending one of their shows in the future.
paula
March 30, 2008 @ 10:35AM
Tiffany, I have video of the crowd with Josh and at moments they were having fun but the majority of the time people were sitting silent just watching, the comparison between Carries show and Josh’s is like night and day. Carries show IMO was very entertaining, I’m surprised people can say carrie needs to work on her stage show, yet think Josh was awsome and entertaining, yes he is a great singer but his stage show in my opinion was dull and somewhat lifeless. The crowd rose from the dead when Carrie came on.
To each his own I guess
Becky
April 11, 2008 @ 12:24AM
I just got back from the Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban concert in Charlottesville and I must say I was really disappointed. Maybe it was our accoustics, but for most of the show, the music was entirely too loud. It was almost impossible to hear Carrie at all, and when you did, it was only because she had nailed a note in the high range and they had amplified it so much that it was ear piercing. Thankfully Keith turned down the volume a bit for his ballads so we got to appreciate his vocals a bit more. Carrie TURN IT DOWN! We pay to hear your absolutely gorgeous voice, NOT a competition between you and your band! Very discouraging and my ears are still ringing; almost as badly as a time when I was talked into going to a Metallica concert… so that should say something….
paula
April 11, 2008 @ 01:28PM
You need to get your hearing fixed, she sounded awsome last night, Keith was louder than Carrie by a mile. This is just becoming a lets bash Carrie site. What is up with that?