As the crowd sang along to Toby’s first big hit, 1993’s
“Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” the big kid from Oklahoma may have reflected
on when times were simpler and that could certainly be a contributing
factor in his endless frat-boy imagery. There are a lot of demands on
him that he never had when he first left the oil rigs and football
fields behind to become a full-time musician. In addition to being an
unquestionably successful singer, he’s now also a record executive, an
advocate for military men and women, a Ford Truck pitchman and—for lack
of a better term—an actor.
Maybe that’s why he reverts to party animal at concert
time, a figurative peeling-off of the business suit for the plaid
shirt, jeans and cowboy hat that he wore on stage. If that’s how he
connects with his audience, maybe that’s OK. To be fair, despite too
many dumbed-down lyrics, juvenile rhymes and macho poses, Keith and his
10 musicians put on a first-rate concert of rocked-up country,
punctuated by blasts of confetti, spurts of flame and bangs of
fireworks. His enthusiasm and exuberance were infectious and his pitch
perfect throughout his 90 minutes at center stage as he covered his
favorites, including “How Do You Like Me Now,” “I’m Just Talkin’ About
Tonight” and “Who’s Your Daddy.”
The Big Dog seemed to be in a romantic mood that evening,
a couple of times mentioning his desire to saddle up for a “nekked
rodeo,” but also leading him to convincingly croon a couple of fine
ballads including “ She Never Cried in Front of Me,” the lead single
from a new CD due out in October. In doing so, he left no doubt that
when he lets down and plays sensitive, Keith is a powerfully moving
vocal star.
Although the sound was beautifully balanced, you could
argue that the Easy Money Band was at times overdone, especially the
three-piece horn section. It would be a great night at the grandstand
if someday Toby played a stripped-down set, getting back to the days
before the Toby Keith corporation dominated his life and allowed his
hearty tenor to dominate in front of a five-piece honky-tonk band.
Maybe it’s time, since he’s already proven how much fun party time can
be.
—Kevin Corbett
Toby Keith: The country singer told the crowd to have another one at this year’s New York State Fair. MICHAEL DAVIS PHOTOS
