REGENERATION TOUR 2009
ABC
WANG CHUNG
CUTTING CREW
HOUSE OF BLUES Boston, MA
JUNE 2009
LIVE PHOTOS AND REVIEW BY LENA LAMORAY

CUTTING CREW are known for their power ballads like (I JUST) DIED IN YOUR ARMS and I’VE BEEN IN LOVE BEFORE but live they bring more than that to the stage.  NICK VAN EEDE vocals are just spot on and even more beautiful live than on the recordings.  What an exceptional voice and the guitar technique was magnificent.  They have a new album out, GRINNING SOULS.   They need to come back to the area again!   I have always been a fan of them and really enjoyed seeing them live.

WANG CHUNG performed second and the highlight of their set was EVERYBODY HAVE FUN TONIGHT and DANCE HALL DAYS.  They sounded fine but they lacked the exuberance that I expected them to have live.  I guess it is hard to come between CUTTING CREW and ABC but I thought they would be better live than they were.  Perhaps they were just having an off night so I won’t hold it against them.

The spectacle that is ABC took to the stage and headlined the REGENERATION TOUR properly.  They were terrific live and fulfilled everything that I hoped they would…suave dancing with some sexy signature coat openings.   I know why HUGH GRANT went to the school of ABC to prepare for his part as ALEX FLETCHER in the 2007 hit film, MUSIC AND LYRICS.  No one could have been a better study than MARTIN FRY.  MARTIN FRY’s charisma was undeniable and the crowd was focused on every hip thrust.  What a man and what a performer.  The musicianship was notable, too.  They played all of the chart toppers like POISON ARROW, THE LOOK OF LOVE (PART ONE), ALL OF MY HEART and WHEN SMOKEY SINGS.  I was thrilled by everything about them and I’m so glad they came to the area and I am looking forward to seeing them again real soon.  ABC is a band not to miss live and check out their album, TRAFFIC and all of their classic hits that are available now.