Aerosmith still prime, plus tips

If you listened to the WBOS show I did with DJ partner John Laurenti last week, you’ll know that I was once again hellbent on seeing Aerosmith. I don’t know what it is. Call it loyalty, perhaps. They’ve been great in giving me interviews through the years, so the least I can do is continue to check out their shows – and this recent one at the Tweeter Center was a beauty.
I was thrown off by their opening tune, “Love In An Elevator,’’ which usually comes later in the set; and I missed “Back in the Saddle,’’ which is their typical opener (call me a traditionalist!) but wasn’t even played. Yet, that was probably my biggest quibble of the night, which isn’t much. And the band immediately won me back by ripping into “Same Old Song and Dance,’’ which fueled the diehards to screams of ecstasy before singer Steven Tyler hammered out the last note.
The rest of the show was just plain powerful. Aerosmith skipped some of their sappy MTV ballads and instead shifted into rock ‘n’ roll gear. “You don’t mind if we kick your ass into the middle of next week, do you?’’ Tyler yelled. Well, no, we don’t, not if we get these results.
From the archives came a jolting “Rats in the Cellar.’’ They didn’t play “Seasons of Wither’’ this time, but the fact that they still shake up some of their archival nuggets is gratifying. And songs like “Dream On’’ and “Sweet Emotion’’ continued to impress, esspecially with Tom Hamilton’s signature bass lines. It was great seeing Hamilton back in the band – last summer he couldn’t make it because he was battling cancer. He returned with no loss of energy and remains a key to the Aerosmith machine.
Joe Perry, wearing a bizarre marching cap that looked to be lifted from the “Sgt Pepper’s’’ wardrobe closet, again teamed with fellow axman Brad Whitford for some ear-shredding highlights. Joe and Steven also combined for an exhilarating run through the Memphis classic, “Walkin’ the Dog.’’ And drummer Joey Kramer, who has had some of his own medical issues in the past, was back in peak form on the skins, getting some solo time and really delivering. Just an excellent show. It was heartening to see Aerosmith still in such prime shape.


CRITIC’S TIPS

· Stevie Wonder – at the Bank of America Pavilion on Thursday, Sept. 20. The ageless Stevie Wonder in Boston. Enough said. It’s theoretically sold out, but maybe you can get lucky and find a last-minute ticket.
· Farrenheit – at Kowloon’s on Thursday, Sept. 20. Boston’s classic-rock legends reunited for the recent Brad Delp tribute at the Bank of America Pavilion. They were incredibly well-received and are back for more.
· The Tossers – at Harpers Ferry on Thursday, Sept. 20. These Celtic punk-rockers were a hit at the recent ICONS Festival. Think of a latter-day Pogues and you’re getting close.
· Michael McDonald – at the Bank of America Pavilion on Friday, Sept. 21. The former Doobie Brother has carved a great career lately by reprising Motown hits and other soul nuggets.
· Boston Blues Festival – a FREE event at the Hatch Shell on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 22-23. Area producer Greg Sarni presents his annual labor of love with Sonny Rhodes leading a great cast on Saturday (the Brian Templeton Band, Dennis Brennan’s White Owls, and Lloyd Thayer); and Sir Mack Rice and Chicago Bob Nelson leading Sunday’s group with the Mystics, Chris Stovall Brown, and others.
· Local scribe Brett Milano has been a club hound for several decades and throws his knowledge into a book about Boston rock history. The performers at this soiree include Asa Brebner, Robin Lane, Willie Alexander, the Lyres, Nervous Eaters, and the list goes on.
· Mission of Burma – at the Institute of Contemporary Art on Sunday, Sept. 23. Boston’s punk pioneers are playing two shows at the ICA’s new theater. Not to be missed if you want to see an art museum shaken to its core.
· Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals – at the Orpheum on Sunday, Sept. 23. Harper’s latest album is a soulful gem – and he’s sure to back it with another all-out, marathon show.
· John Lincoln Wright’s birthday – at the Cantab Lounge (downstairs) on Sunday, Sept. 23. New England’s country music fixture celebrates his – gasp – 60th birthday party with a bevy of local acts paying tribute.