"It takes a village to do David's music," Celebrating David Bowie bandleader Mike Garson said midway through Wednesday's concert at the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis. "But I think we put the village together."
Garson, who played on 20 Bowie albums and more than 1,000 concerts with him, got that right. It was a delightful show thanks to an excellent cast and a can't-miss repertoire.
In addition to keyboardist Garson, there were guitarists Earl Slick, Gerry Leonard and Mark Plati and bassist Carmine Rojas, all of whom toured and recorded with Bowie. However, the singers had no connection to the rock icon who died in January 2016.
Bernard Fowler, who has sung backup for the Rolling Stones since 1989, was the featured vocalist, with Joe Sumner (Sting's kid), Gaby Moreno and Abby Jeanne each taking the spotlight on a few songs.
Fowler was a good choice. He doesn't suggest Bowie in the least. But he had a certain theatricality and charisma. He clearly knows how to command a stage and he even unleashed some Jaggeresque style on "Diamond Dogs" and "Heroes," when Fowler truly came across like a rock hero if for only one song.
Bursting with energy like he'd stepped out of the cast of the musical "Rock of Ages," Sumner provoked the fans to party on "Let's Dance" and "All the Young Dudes." Looking like a buffer version of his dad with perhaps a taste for red meat, the 42-year-old seemed right at home in his Bowie T-shirt and shiney suit.
Moreno, who had performed at the Pantages backing Hugh Laurie a few years ago, showed her versatility on "Space Oddity" and "Wild Is the Wind," a duet with Fowler. Milwaukee newcomer Jeanne, whom Garson, with his Clive Davis-like voice, introduced as being "from here," was serviceable with her Amy Winehouse-meets-Adele versions of "Changes" and "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide."
The 130-minute, 22-song set featured plenty of hits but also lesser known numbers including "Lady Grinning Soul," which Garson explained that Bowie had never performed in concert.
Leonard did a nifty take on "Andy Warhol."
And Slick offered defining rock licks all night as well as a classic rock look, with his rooster hairdo, black skinny jeans, bracelets, shades, and spread-leg poses. Someone had to play the rock star.
