Michael Bolton performing his Greatest Hits Tour, Time, Love And Tenderness at The Royal Concert Hall Nottingham on Friday 2nd November 2018.
Review by Kevin Cooper
His long curly blond hair may be a thing of the past for Michael Bolton, but his husky unmistakable voice which elevated him to international stardom is still as unique and hypnotic as ever, as a packed Royal Concert Hall will testify to last night.
Kicking off the night with Stand By Me, the audience immediately warmed to him and with follow up song, the Bee Gee’s To Love Somebody, he had them singing along early into his set. With his reputation of being a master interpreter of crooner classics, he didn’t disappoint with the likes of Frank Sinatra’s That’s Life and Eddy Arnold’s You Don’t Know Me.
There was a beautiful and poignant Make Me Feel My Love, sung with the wonderful Sam Fly, who also dueted with him on a stunning performance of composer David Foster’s The Prayer which had the audience on their feet in appreciation.
But it was when he dipped into his self penned catalogue that the temperature levels increased. Said I Loved You…But I Lied was outstanding and he really raised the roof with one of his greatest hits, How Can We Be Lovers.
A bluesy treat of Sweet Home Chicago saw Bolton showcasing his guitar playing skills but which was slightly spoiled by an extended jam from his band that outstayed its welcome but did allow Bolton to emerge in the audience to screams of delight and deliver an incredible version of When A Man Loves A Woman.
Bolton showed that he is still undoubtedly one of the most iconic powerhouse voices around with his distinctive vocals providing the soundtrack to an infinite number of romantic interludes and moments of melancholy and heartache. And last night he did what he has always done best, pulled at the collective heart strings of women everywhere with the likes of Time, Love And Tenderness which brought the cabaret styled evening to an end.