Concert Reviews
YNGWIE MALMSTEEN CONCERT REVIEW
March 26, 2001 (Winston-Salem, NC)
by CrashTest
March 26th was the first time I have seen Yngwie play since the '80s
when he played a much larger venue as an opening act for ... oh man, that
was so many concerts back I want to say it was during one of the Dio
tours. Anyway, that was a totally different experience. This time around I
got to see him as a headliner in a club that was crowded with roughly 300
metalheads on a freezing Monday night. Since the stage at this particular
club is pretty low the heads of the tallest people up front were even with
Yngwie's chest during the show. Add to that the fact there really is no
space between the stage and audience, and it makes for a very intimate
atmosphere. That sort of environment made for one helluva show.
First, let it be known that Yngwie has not lost a step. I was a little
worried before the show that he might give an uninspired performance
considering he'd been playing almost every night in March. It would be
pretty hard to get up there every night, play a two hour show and then get
on the bus to do it again somewhere else. However, my fears were laid to
rest the second Yngwie stepped on stage. The show started off with Rising
Force and turned into a tour de force that didn't let up until the encore
performances of Black Star and I'll See the Light Tonight were over. There
were five songs played from the new album "War To End All Wars"
to promote it, most notably an ass-kicking performance of Crucify. The
WTEAW songs actually sounded better live, probably because the production
on the album isn't all that great IMHO.
The highlights of the show were the instrumentals from both the '80s
and '90s eras. It was during those moments that Yngwie really blew us all
away. It was pretty cool to hear him start into one of the familiar guitar
sections and then go off on a tangent and totally shred. I debated after
the show whether he had "planned" those tangents or was really
improvising. Finally, I kicked myself in the ass and said "This is
Yngwie we're talking about ... of course it was improv!" Yngwie did
all of his solos directly in front of the audience, within inches of the
crowd (unlike a certain unnamed egotistical prick who likes to turn his
back so that nobody can "steal his moves"). To me the best moment
came when, during a solo, Yngwie handed his guitar to someone at the front
and motioned for that person to hold it up like a serving tray. He then
reached over with one set of fingers on the neck and then with the other
hand played furiously. Let it be known, the man knows how to treat his
fans.
I've also got to give credit to the new singer, Jorn Lande. It's hard
to command a lot of attention when your performing next to a master like
Yngwie, but he does have stage presence and a decent voice. It was hard to
tell a few times whether the guys producing the show were taking him out
of the mix as he tried to reach some of the higher notes. There were a few
times you knew a high note was coming and his voice got drowned out a bit.
Regardless, when you could hear him he was pretty darn good and I left
thinking he might do alright if Yngwie works with him on the next studio
album.
All around a damn good show and I'm glad I braved the freezing cold. I
was a little disappointed that he didn't do any of the songs from
"Trilogy" other than one of the instrumentals. Apparently I
wasn't the only one disappointed, as several guys kept yelling "play
Queen In Love" the entire night. I went with a guy who has been a
longtime fan and another who hadn't heard any Yngwie until a week before
the show. Suffice it to say, Yngwie has a new fan. We left with ringing
ears and a dream that someday we might be worthy enough to maybe, just
maybe, hold The Man's guitar pick. Somehow I get the feeling that day will
never come.
** Credit for the pictures belong to Kyle and Alyssa Harrison, whom
I wish to thank for their kindness in allowing me to use them. These
pictures, along with several others, can also be viewed at the official
Yngwie website: www.yngwie.org
**