Review by SueW:
Out of the 4 Meat Loaf concerts that I saw on this trip to US I think this was my least favourite although it was still a good concert. My main complaint was that I had the worst view of the stage out of all 4 concerts which didn’t help. I did book this concert late (as I waited for Kasim’s solo gigs to be confirmed first) so I opted for a VIP ticket and got a 4th row seat but unfortunately it was waaaaaay over to Paul’s side, in fact past the stage but I did have a lovely view of Mark Alexander’s back through most of the concert! (Boy does he have good posture!) It also meant that I couldn’t see John Micelli at all as the drum riser was obscured by a set of speakers.

Officially this concert was almost sold out but the front rows in my section only had about 4 people sat in them. Before the concert started a lady from the casino came out to count the spare seats and a couple more people arrived after that (I assumed that they were big spenders at the casino) but the remaining seats stayed empty. The casino also had a sporadic camera policy as the security guard near me stopped several people taking photos but other security guars weren’t bothered. (I didn’t even get my camera out as my view was so limited.)

Kasim came out on stage all bouncing with energy and smiles again which was great to see! He also visited my side of the stage a few times which was a relief to me! He mainly favoured his pearl coloured bass tonight and only used his black KSulton bass for the end of the concert.

Meat Loaf’s voice started quite well at the beginning of the concert (and was okay by the end) but I did notice that he was wheezing quite a bit during Paradise but not when he was singing…… when he was talking! (I thought the waffle during that song was too padded again tonight.) I don’t know if he used his asthma inhaler at all tonight on stage (as it would have been hidden from me behind those speakers).

The set list was the same as at the majority of the US concerts but I still prefer the set list at the European concerts as I really used to enjoy Meat Loaf’s little chats before Objects In The Rear View Mirror (plus I like that song). I also preferred it when they played The Monster Is Loose instead of In The Land Of Pigs (and I find that video quite disturbing).

During You Took The Words Meat Loaf managed to spot some guy (it’s never a girl thank goodness!) who wasn’t singing so he made an example of him which was amusing for all but the guy involved. Thankfully that meant that he then got Kasim to start us all singing again which was brilliant to hear!

During the encore Meat Loaf signed an album cover for someone near the front of the crowd. He said that it was only the second time that he’d done that on stage in 30 years and that he’d only signed it as she’d been waving it under his nose for two hours!

All too soon for me that was the end a great trip to US with of 4 enjoyable Meat Loaf concerts and two brilliant Kasim solo gigs!

Roll on Orlando the week after next!

Comments posted by fans on various mailing lists and messageboards include:
"Objects and 2 out of 3 were skipped. The shorter shows, some of the songs were left out but it was still incredible."

"Meat (and the entire band) were on fire, and he had the entire audience in the palm of his hand from beginning to end. All of the songs, especially Frying Pan, sounded amazing .."

"During the singing part of Words, Meat walked over to the end of the stage next to Randy and climbed up on top of the speakers. He told us to sit down and relax for a few minutes because he had something he had to take care of .. LOL He then told Billy to turn up the house lights ... he pointed out a guy wearing a polo shirt in the audience and told him he had a choice .. either sing along or he was going to go out there and kick his butt.. LOL For a split second I thought he was actually going to go out into the audience and do it .. LOL "

"I know people have posted that they wish he would sing "new" or other Meat Loaf songs during the encore .. but IMO the encore is about Meat and the band just jamming out and having fun :)) And you could tell by the looks on their faces that they were all really having fun with it last night."

Other websites:
Meat Loaf's official website MeatLoaf.net has a thread about this concert here.

Many thanks to Vicki Pearson and Gary "Goat" Goveia for the photos on this page.

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