LIVE: MICHAEL BOLTON – January 25, 2022

Venue: Bilheimer Capitol Theatre

City: Clearwater, FL

Dates: January 25, 2022

Review and Photographs by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur (www.toddstarphotography.com)

Say what you will – you couldn’t escape Michael Bolton on the radio or the music charts in the late 80’s, 90’s and early 2000’s… and he is still cranking out music and hitting the road to support his latest efforts as well as his large catalog.  A packed Bilheimer Capitol Theatre in Clearwater, FL was the place to be on a wet Tuesday night as the venue was packed from front to back, side to side, and bottom to top with fans that couldn’t wait to hear the songs they have come to know and love as a part of their life’s soundtrack.  With no opener, the singer and his band had to not only warm up the crowd but get them engaged immediately; and that they did.  With a catalog that includes covers as well as songs written for others that you wouldn’t know were his, it was no shock that most of the set consisted of solid renditions of songs that he has recorded over the years and perfected in a live scenario.  Set opener “Stand by Me” was no different as he and his more than ample band worked through and roped the audience in immediately.  While we weren’t going to get the rock treatment tonight, we got a solid setlist that included many favorites and even a couple additions that pleased everyone in the venue.  The Bee Gee penned “To Love Somebody” was followed by the Otis Redding classic “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” which is also one of the first tracks most people can remember hearing and sending to the top of the charts.  The first Bolton penned track of the night showed up, along with some storytelling and banter, with “Said I Loved You…but I Lied” sandwiched between all the classic tracks Bolton has culled and put his stamp on through the years.  A one-two punch of much older tracks “You Don’t Know Me” and “That’s Life” were cool additions to the set allowing Michael’s influences to shine through his vocals.  Vocals that have not lost much over the years… at 68 years old, he didn’t change much of the arrangement to lower octaves or notes for the entire set.  After he made his way through “Make You Feel My Love,” his two-time chart topping, Grammy winning track “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” cascaded from the stage, through the sound system, and washed across the more than accepting audience.  After a fun version of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” that featured vocalist Chrissi Poland rang through the venue, Bolton left the stage to allow his band to run through the composition “Check Please” from his touring sax player Jason Peterson “JP” DeLaire as well as a medley of two Bolton hits sung by Poland – “Missing You Now” and “When I’m Back On My Feet Again.”  Bolton’s other Grammy winning track “When a Man Loves a Woman” pleased the crowd before my favorite trio of songs of the tunes played hit the set.  “How Can We Be Lovers” got things moving a bit and the energy levels up before one of my favorite Bolton tracks (other than stuff from his earlier releases that are pretty much ignored these days) “Steel Bars” was delivered.  This had all the attitude and flash taking me back to the first time I heard it.  A couple note changes, but overall this track was flawless and an amazing listen.  Another monster hit, “Time, Love and Tenderness,” closed out the section of the set that was all high tempo and high energy.  After a nod to his onstage band leader, the set was truncated and closed out with a great turn and take on the Bill Withers’ classic “Lean on Me.”  While there may have been songs missed or skipped this evening, there is no arguing Bolton and his band delivered the goods on song after song.  While it may not be your sweet spot of genre’s this is a show not to missed as he moves across the country celebrating his catalog and classic songs.

Setlist: Stand by Me – To Love Somebody – (Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay – Said I Loved You…but I Lied – You Don’t Know Me – That’s Life – Make You Feel My Love – How Am I Supposed to Live Without You – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Check Please – Missing You Now / When I’m Back On My Feet Again – When a Man Loves a Woman – How Can We Be Lovers – Steel Bars – Time, Love and Tenderness – Lean on Me

[Show as slideshow]

FULL SET OF MICHAEL BOLTON PHOTOS HERE

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Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries