Cyndi Lauper
Girls just want to have fun, and on Thursday, September 15th at the historic Uptown Theater, that is just what went down. Cyndi Lauper rolled into town with her Detour Tour and brought back with her a flashback to the 80’s, as well as her new country styling. The house was packed with woman ecstatic to find another reason to blow out their hair, put those finger less gloves on, and hit the town.
If people were not aware of what the situation was, they would have thought that it was a throwback Thursday 80’s night. Throughout the night we met some amazing people that had been waiting a long time for this show. We met two lovely sisters, and one of them came all the way from Bismarck, North Dakota, to see the show with her sister. We also met a young lady who was with her mother and aunt who came from Dodge City, KS. As you can tell, folks were coming out of the woodwork to see Cyndi Lauper.
Something we also learned was that a large majority of the people attending the concert had no clue really what to expect. I do not think that they knew this was going to be a country tour. It was not all country, though, as there was no way Cyndi could not sing some of the most well-known songs of the 80’s and early 90’s. I have to say I rather enjoyed the mix of original Cyndi Lauper and old country classics.
One of the highlights of the night for me was her cover of the great Patsy Cline’s “Walking After Midnight”. I was raised on Patsy Cline; my mother listened to seemed like nothing but her and Neil Diamond. Not a day goes by I do not hear a song from one of them and not think about my mother who I lost seven years ago. So, for me, hearing that song was a very special moment for me. She also did a great cover of the Ray Price song, “Heartaches by The Numbers” that was a crowd favorite. One thing Cyndi did that I really like is she talked to the audience quite a bit. She told stories of past, like her old rockabilly days as a Blue Angel, the history of music, and the different musical influences that made rock and roll.
Cyndi Lauper also did not disappoint all those mini skirt wearing, looking like Madonna, Desperately Seeking Susan, 80’s loving fanatics. She played an abundance of her old classics like, “I Drove All Night”, “She Bop” and of course had a killer four-song encore that included “Time After Time”, “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” and a solo performance of “True Colors”. You know I was not sure what to expect when I went into that show, but at the end of it all, I am sure grateful I got to have the experience. You would never know Cyndi Lauper was 63 years old. She commanded that stage like she would have 30-some odd years ago. To get to see one of the legends of the past is always a thrill. She’s still got it, people. Go see for yourself.
Ace Sims – RockRevolt Contributor
CYNDI LAUPER performing at The Uptown Theater in Kansas City.
(Photos by John Thornbrugh / RockRevolt Magazine)
CYNDI LAUPER – Links:
DETOUR TRACK LISTING:
1. “Funnel Of Love”
2. “Detour” – Featuring Emmylou Harris
3. “Misty Blue”
4. “Walkin’ After Midnight”
5. “Heartaches By The Number”
6. “The End Of The World”
7. “Night Life” – Featuring Willie Nelson
8. “Begging To You”
9. “You’re The Reason Our Kids Are Ugly” – Featuring Vince Gill
10. “I Fall To Pieces”
11. “I Want To Be A Cowboy’s Sweetheart” – Featuring Jewel
12. “Hard Candy Christmas” – Featuring Alison Krauss
DETOUR available on CD ($18.98), LP ($24.98) and digitally.
DETOUR Tour:
Sept. 20 The Depot – Salt Lake City, Utah
Sept. 21 Outlaw Field at the Idaho Botanical – Boise, Idaho
Sept. 23 Thunder Valley Casino Resort – Lincoln, Calif.
Sept. 24 Agua Caliente Casino – Rancho Mirage, Calif.
Sept. 27 Vina Robles Amphitheatre – Paso Robles, Calif.
Sept. 28 Arlington Theatre – Santa Barbara, Calif.
Sept. 30 The Mountain Winery – Saratoga, Calif.
Oct. 03 Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay – San Diego, Calif.
Oct. 05 Greek Theatre – Los Angeles, Calif.
Oct. 07 Talking Stick Resort Ballroom – Scottsdale, Ariz.
Oct. 08 The Joint – Las Vegas, Nev.
Dec. 03 Beacon Theatre, New York, N.Y.
