Rick Springfield - Tunica, MS 8/11/07

Tunica, MS
Sam's Town Casino
8/11/07
review by Christa Riolo
photo by Josie and Janie Hernandez

In March 2002, Rick played Sam's Town Tunica's River Palace.... five years and five months later, Rick rocked the house again. The crowd seemed excited and ready for the show when the pre-show music began. The stage was set up with screens on both sides, but alas, no video montage. Rick sauntered out on stage to begin the show. He was wearing his gray jeans, gray pinstripe shirt, and black boots. Rick was full of energy, charisma and smiles. The set list was as follows:
Who Killed Rock N Roll
Will I?
Affair of the Heart
Alyson
I've Done Everything For You
Rock of Life
Gloria
Don't Talk to Strangers
Medley
Love Somebody
My Generation
Human Touch
Jessie's Girl
Encore:
Kristina
Love Is Alright Tonite
Gloria was the bathtub version tonight. He was soakin' in his tub watching a "doctor show" when Gloria was knocking. On this particular "doctor show", there is a doctor who looks just like a rock star. :) Gloria got irritated when no one opened the door. So Rick asked the crowd if there were any kids present, and when they said no, he said are you sure? and again was told no. So then he asked the crowd if anyone had a problem with the "F word", then said to one person, "Oh you Like the F word". He continues on with his story about Gloria and Gloria says, "Fffffforget this" and storms in the door and up the stairs. (seems Rick has added quite a bit of sound effects to his story lately) Then Gloria turns his TV off "right when Anna was about to kiss Noah".
During DTTS, he didn't sing the second verse, but the crowd did. He then replied he forgot the words, good thing he had us, he's only been singing the song for 25 years. I am pretty sure I have heard this line before... hope it doesn't become as predictable as the Love Somebody routine. (so you've seen my movie Hard To Watch, then you've seen my naked BUTT) He had a lot of people sing DTTS. Several men and women. At one point he made the crack, "do any of you sing in tune?" He had an older gentleman sing, but before he did, he noticed some people pointing to a woman saying it was her birthday. He said, "Oh yeah, I am having a birthday too! On August 23rd! I'll be in Australia!" He then sang Happy Birthday to himself and the woman. Afterwards, he told the man he hadn't gotten out of singing and had him sing. It was cute.
He did the second half of Love Somebody, My Generation, and Human Touch out in the crowd. He used someone's cell phone to play slide guitar, and then decided to make a phone call. He called a guy named Chris. He did the usual routine, saying Hi, asking if he knew who it was, yelling It's Rick Springfield!!, and asking him if he had any pizza or beer at his house. Chris said no. So Rick told him he better hurry up and get some, because 3000 people would be over in half an hour.
For the encore, Rick changed into a black sleeveless shirt I haven't seen since 2004. It has chinese symbols, and L.A. on it, it's print is only by the edges of the arm holes and across the back. I was ready for LIAT, but was pleasantly surprised by a two song encore, starting with Kristina! I appreciate the changes in the set list. This was the first concert I have been to since 2003 where he did not do Red House. I didn't miss it. Only song I definitely missed was Jesus Saves. Wasted would have been nice too, but Kristina is a great song choice as well. All in all, it was a great show.