MR. BIG in SAO PAULO - Concert Review

[SilvioRodrigues]

From the first minute of Daddy, Brother, Lover, Litlle Boy until the final minute of Shy Boy, Mr. Big delivered 2 hours of fun for the 4500 people that attended the show in a real cold night in Sao Paulo. They are a real proof that sometimes a reunion can be motivated by friendship and musicianship and not for the money, like MANY bands do.

It was a really depressing breakup in 2002. Billy Sheehan and Eric Martin went through separate ways, and they talked negative things about each other in the press…I could never imagine these two guys sharing the same stage again. What I saw last Saturday? I saw these two guys sharing the stage like two children, like long time friends. All of the 4 guys were in a treat.

The set list was the same from the previous shows of the South American Tour. No problem…5 great records…they could play 3 different set lists with 20 songs and it would be great anyway, even without playing Wild World, that was a big hit on the Brazilian radio stations in 93/94. The people were there to see 4 guys that give 100% of energy, passion and musicianship, and I can tell you…the people left the venue plenty satisfied. The audience sang the hits, the new songs, especially Undertow…though Eric had missed the first verses of the song, but Billy helped him to get back on the rails.

As always, Billy and Paul stole the show. I’ve heard people around me commenting that they could not be from this planet. Paul plays millions of notes per second and Billy follows him in harmony, as easy as they drink coffee. Many bassists and guitar players must look at their instruments like: Can you do that? I remember the first time I’ve watched Live in San Francisco in VHS. When they started to play with “Makitas” on Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy and Paul was doing the intro of Green-Tinted Sixties Mind, my oldest brother didn’t believe that they were playing for real, he thought it was a playback. Almost 20 years later I can tell you my brother…It’s REAL. They are freaking monsters, absolutely amazing players. I felt dizzy ‘cause I didn’t know who to follow on stage, if you look to Paul, you miss Billy, if you look to Billy you miss Pat, and you have Eric walking all over the stage…it’s a frenetic experience.

Pat Torpey, well…is one of the most underrated drummers in rock music. He is a louder precise machine. He’s capable to carry a song with his drumming like a riff. Take Cover is all based around his drumming. Also, he’s an amazing background singer.

Eric Martin…after an intense debate on this forum about his style of singing or if he delivers (or not) emotion to the songs, what could I say? Of course, he’s not a kid anymore, and Mr. Big’s catalogue isn’t easy to sing, but he did a great job, and beyond that, he is an amazing frontman. The audience was with him and he really knows how to take advantage of that. People were amazed with his simplicity and charisma.

Paul Gilbert…In my opinion, he is one of the three most influential and amazing players, after EVH (the others are Steve Vai and Joe Satriani). I don’t have much to say about him…you must see this man playing. No words…People went nuts on his performance and gave him a reception that few musicians received in a show here in Brazil. When Eric introduced the band before playing To Be With You, the crowd started to shout PAUL GILBERT! PAUL GILBERT! We made him feel like a world champion.

Billy Sheehan…as Eric introduced him…the MAN, the MYTH, the LEGEND. The man that turns the bass into a guitar, a freaking monster, extremely funny and gentle with the audience. He mentioned the famous show in 1993 on the Santos beach. Mr. Big had their largest crowd to date, over 100.000 people.

I could spend hours talking about the memories from this show, but for me I’ll always remember the happiness of the audience seeing them playing live. When they changed instruments on Smoke on the Water, people went nuts, people were laughing, maybe not believing in what they were seeing…

Comparisons with the Journey show…I won't do that…apples and oranges…two different bands and styles.

If I could resume this show in one single word, it would be obvious: FUN !!

That’s it…

Next chapter…September 11…WHITESNAKE and JUDAS PRIEST.

[Michigan Girl]

Awesome, Silvio ...you write the most beautiful, heartfelt reviews!!
I hope you're keeping a journal!!

[SilvioRodrigues]

Awesome, Silvio ...you write the most beautiful, heartfelt reviews!!
I hope you're keeping a journal!!

I'm glad you like it...and you gave me an interesting idea!!!

[Deb]

Great review, Silvio! Almost felt like I was there!

Such talented dudes, love it when they change up on the instruments, like Smoke On The Water ~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48jiNmRZZ48 I heard that at some of the Japan shows they did The Stones' Brown Sugar, with Eric on drums and Billy/guitar and sax, Pat/bass and Paul singing....getting all Jagger with it. Was really hoping that one would show up on youtube, no such luck yet. Well except a fan audio clip of it ~ Brown Sugar http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sNJQ7f7OJE They didn't do a change up one at that first show in LA, but hopefully they will throw one in on this leg of the US tour in August.

[G.I.Jim]

Great review, Silvio! Almost felt like I was there!

Such talented dudes, love it when they change up on the instruments, like Smoke On The Water ~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48jiNmRZZ48 I heard that at some of the Japan shows they did The Stones' Brown Sugar, with Eric on drums and Billy/guitar, Pat/bass and Paul singing....getting all Jagger with it. Was really hoping that one would show up on youtube, no such luck yet. They didn't do a change up one at that first show in LA, but hopefully they will throw one in on this leg of the US tour in August.

You mean you WEREN'T there? Damn, I thought you rode on the bus with the band!

[Deb]

Great review, Silvio! Almost felt like I was there!

Such talented dudes, love it when they change up on the instruments, like Smoke On The Water ~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48jiNmRZZ48 I heard that at some of the Japan shows they did The Stones' Brown Sugar, with Eric on drums and Billy/guitar and sax, Pat/bass and Paul singing....getting all Jagger with it. Was really hoping that one would show up on youtube, no such luck yet. Well, except a fan audio clip of it ~ Brown Sugar http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sNJQ7f7OJE They didn't do a change up one at that first show in LA, but hopefully they will throw one in on this leg of the US tour in August.

You mean you WEREN'T there? Damn, I thought you rode on the bus with the band!

Har har har. South America's a long way from Canada my friend!

[Deb]

From the first minute of Daddy, Brother, Lover, Litlle Boy until the final minute of Shy Boy, Mr. Big delivered 2 hours of fun for the 4500 people that attended the show in a real cold night in Sao Paulo. They are a real proof that sometimes a reunion can be motivated by friendship and musicianship and not for the money, like MANY bands do.

It was a really depressing breakup in 2002. Billy Sheehan and Eric Martin went through separate ways, and they talked negative things about each other in the press…I could never imagine these two guys sharing the same stage again. What I saw last Saturday? I saw these two guys sharing the stage like two children, like long time friends. All of the 4 guys were in a treat.

Was recently watching a vid of a To Be With You performance shortly before they split up.......and you can just sense the tension between Eric and Billy on it. Billy looks miserable and you can see Eric look over almost nervously at Billy. ~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHDFIFoZ7pE

That is why it is soooooo cool to see this now. Love this clip! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgAcJQzNjQw