Foreigner at Morongo

[Don]

This was a show that I kept thinking I would skip and hit up Thousand Oaks instead. Well, my Buddy pulled rank and this one got my money.
Considering that there was an opening act, I can't complain.
Starship (or Mickey Thomas more specifically) had a special guest on keys, Bobby Kimball. That guy is something else. At times Bobby shined and at others, he really got carried by Stephanie and the Starship guys on harmony. He drank a bottle of water during every song,and was wondering all over the place. I guess this is how he normally operates, walking away from the keys and back and forth. Sort of seemed on his own planet.

Mickey though, that guy can sing and sounds great as he isn't doing those piercing highs like he used to, really a nice voice. I know he did a cover of DSB a few years back that didn't sound that great but with the way his voice is now, he could probably knock any Journey song out of the park. A place where he really shined was doing the old Marty Balin led tunes like Miracles and Count On Me. A very good entertainer.

Foreigner. Well, same setlist they have been doing. Nothing new. Now, I never saw SYW, OR IWTKWLI as I hadn't seen the band since 81, so Those were cool but they definitely have their own D/D that they appear stuck with.
Mick can really jam and he doesn't make those funny faces like Botox boy does. He is a lot better than I ever gave him credit for, that's for sure.
Another guy who's presence is felt is Jeff Pilson, not only as a musician but as a vocalist also. It's nice to hear backround vocals that aren't running 100% off of tape.
The main star was Kelly though. Every rock star vocalist should have to carry the mic stand around at least 30 minutes every show. It just lets you know that he's in charge. Dude just hits everything and gets the crowd mega excited.

The encore was the best part of the show. Foreigner doesn't have LTS but they do have Jukebox Hero and that song is killer. The guys were at the end of the show as they were in the beginning.

With a new album coming , the setlist will surely change some and I'll see them next go around but after that, they'll be in Journey territory if they don't start changing up songs once in awhile , which will not be cool.

Starship 4 /5
Foreigner 5/5


On a side note, It would be great if Mariah Carey's cover of IWTKWLI helps stimulate sales of Foreigner's new album. I think Carey's album comes out the same day as Foreigner's and even if you don't like her, she might help get the boys a few more sales if her cover is released as a single which I think it will be.


Videos courtesy of LABlueforever.

Africa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Nt3PE_SYXA

We Built This City
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIcRSW1cL60

Waiting For A girl like You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HT6GiGzLpBc

Cold As Ice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_vKbjANUgc

Dirty White Boy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jD19oUahfjE

Urgent
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81e-2DTg8bQ

[The_Noble_Cause]

Thanks for the review Gunbot.
I had heard Bobby was touring with Mickey Thomas.
Your review sounds pretty accurate from what I have witnessed.
Including the water chugging - according to Bobby he drinks 6-8 liters per set!
As for his voice, it's imperfect, but that's part of its charm.
Like someone on the TOTO forum commented, with Bobby "every note is an adventure."

[Andrew]

On a side note, It would be great if Mariah Carey's cover of IWTKWLI helps stimulate sales of Foreigner's new album. I think Carey's album comes out the same day as Foreigner's and even if you don't like her, she might help get the boys a few more sales if her cover is released as a single which I think it will be.

No doubt she will just shreik the shit out of it, just like she did with her hideous version of Open Arms.

[T-Bone]

But she still has nice tits....

[StoneCold]

Thanks for the review GB. Can't wait for the new album to hit.

I could go for a Journey / Foreigner show too. Maybe when J's new cd comes out they'll join up.