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• benatar.com • Buy Greatest Hits • BergenPAC.org
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Hit The BergenPAC With Their Best Shots! A Kweevak.com Rock Report by Rich and Laura Lynch Grammy award winning Pat Benatar was raised in Long Island, New York. At a young age she studied opera and voice. Pat's music career was detoured with a marriage to her high school sweetheart, whose last name was Benatar. After their divorce, Pat returned to New York City in the late 70's to pursue her art in earnest.
 In 1979, the single "Heartbreaker" hit number 23 on the US charts and Benatar's debut album Heat of the Night made it up to number 12. Pat's second record Crimes of Passion was even more commercially successful. The emergence of videos and MTV increased Pat's exposure and she enjoyed continued popularity throughout the 80's. Neil Giraldo is Pat's long-time collaborator. Giraldo was the lead guitar player on all of Benatar's records and he has writing and production credits too. Neil plays keyboards and harmonica and is also a singer. Benatar and Giraldo have been married since 1982 and continue to make music and tour. Pat and Neil performed at the BergenPAC in Englewood, New Jersey on April 19, 2008. Pat, Neil, Mick Mahan (bass) and Chris Ralles (drums) were warmly welcomed by the enthusiastic audience at the BergenPAC. Pat clad in all black is still petite and pretty, sporting a sassy, short hair cut. More importantly, Benatar is still in strong voice. They opened with a smoking version of "All Fired Up", which included sizzling guitar work from Giraldo. "Shadows of the Night" rocked with solid rhythms and Pat's sexy singing. Benatar asked the crowd "how are you doing" and mentioned that the kids were at home and that they did "not really have a plan for tonight - we're just going to play". Before performing "Invincible", Pat encouraged people to "stand up for what you believe in". The version was energized with Benatar maintaining the long high notes of the song. During "Invincible" Pat and Neil left the stage briefly to allow Mahan and Ralles to jam. Strolling back, Neil played edgy riffs before Pat joined in with vocal variations and the rousing hook line. Pat mentioned that "Painted Desert" was one of her favorite songs. Neil moved to the keyboards and Mick and Chris created a slower, sultry groove. The tune featured pretty piano parts. Pat said "This next song ("River of Love") is a raved up love song". Giraldo alternated between the keys and guitar and his riffs were tantalizing. Throughout the night, there were shouts for Neil who is an impressive musician in his own right, apt on keyboards and great on guitar. The set list included many hits but in arrangements that expanded beyond the original radio friendly format. Instrumental interludes added dimension to the songs, as did Pat's commentary during many of the numbers. Sitting on stools, Benatar shared that they were in New York City earlier and as Pat was browsing in a Boarders, Neil was outside waiting and had the privilege to see the Pope. They were excited by the moment but moved on to talk about the recording of In The Heat of the Night and the need for one more song. Neil penned "We Live For Love" for Pat, who ably hit the high notes that the song is known for. Their interpretation also included harmonizing and soft beats. "We Belong" was dedicated to Neil's Uncle Timmy who recently died but will be remembered as someone who sparked Giraldo's interest in music. "True Love" and "Payin' The Cost to be the Boss" were tunes seeped in the tradition of the blues, adding a creative, colorful spin to the set list. Benatar said, "I usually complain about playing this next song, but tonight we are just going to do it" and the crowd was thrilled to sing and dance to "Hit Me With Your Best Shot", which included lush lead work by Neil. Another song, which Pat stated "they always play is "Hell Is For Children" because it is important and we will play it until every child is safe". It was executed with emotion enhanced by intense instrumentation and Pat's passionate vocals. The song received a standing ovation and people stayed on their feet for an energized "Heartbreaker". Before the encore Pat introduced Mick and Chris and the band then performed a potent "Promises in the Dark". Thanking the crowd again for coming, proclaiming "live in peace" they rocked out and closed with "Love is a Battlefield". Pat and Neil are a magical, musical duo, supported by a strong rhythm section they delivered a solid show of expected hits in expanded versions along with a few surprises such as the two blues tunes performed mid concert. Benatar and Giraldo hit the BergenPAC with their best shot! Opening for Pat and Neil was Lindsey Rush a perky player with potential. Lindsey played a five song set on acoustic singing and sharing stories.
Setlist:
Encore Originally Published: 04/22/2008 on Kweevak.com |
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