Concert Review: Paula Abdul
Forever our girl
While in high school, I covered my locker with posters. Typically, they were of Def Leppard, Tiffany and Paula Abdul.
While I cut Def Leppard pictures out of the rock magazines, I needed a source for Tiffany and Paula ones. My dealer was one of my female classmates who bought all the teenybopper magazines like “Tiger Beat.” She would nonchalantly pass my stash and give me my fix while walking by me in the hallway before gym class.
I’d tuck them into my Trapper Keeper to keep them safe until I returned to my locker.
I’ve written about Tiffany before, but Paula Abdul was right up there in terms of my schoolboy crushes. Paula always came across as sweet and adorable. There was an infectious energy about her.
“Forever Your Girl” came out in 1988, and I immediately loved it. The title track, “Straight Up,” “(It’s Just) The Way That You Love Me,” “Opposites Attract,” and “Cold Hearted” were pure 80’s pop bliss. Paula’s music was a blend of pop with a danceable beat.
She was, after all, a former Laker cheerleader and a dancer above all else. Her voice may not have been the strongest (She and Virgin Records were sued by a backup singer who alleged her vocal was prominent on several tracks, not Paula’s—Paula won that case), but the full package made Paula popular, especially the quality of her singles.
Her second album, “Spellbound,” lost a bit of that magic. The songs were not suited for Paula’s voice and were a bit forgettable. I remember how bored I was with the lead single, “Rush Rush.”
But, Paula remained endearing, and I never stopped enjoying her music over the years. I always return to “Forever Your Girl” when I’m in the mood for her music.
So, I was excited when Paula was announced as the opening act for New Kids on the Block. I’d finally get to see her in concert.
I guess I should more aptly say, “concert.”
Look, I had a feeling what the show would be going in, so I had appropriate expectations: Paula’s set was more a “show” than a concert.
Featuring a storyline of sorts of planning the tour, Paula’s set was more about highlighting her dance moves and those of her dancers than focusing on any vocals.
And don’t get me wrong, they were good – very good – dancers. It was fun to watch. But I’m not sure what – if anything – was live and not Memorex.
The main giveaway was that when Paula was clearly talking into the mic, a noticeable reverb disappeared when the song started.
Also, she was doing some crazy dance moves without any effect on her vocals.
If I had to guess, she was singing over a track with the levels changing depending on what was happening on stage. I can’t say I’m thrilled over that at a concert, but I also can’t say I expected anything different.
Paula’s short set focused on her debut. The eight-song setlist (which included one medley) only had two full songs from her sophomore album: “Rush Rush” and “Vibeology.” The medley also included snippets of “Promise of a New Day” from ”Spellbound” and “Ain’t Never Gonna Give You Up” from her third album, “Head Over Heels.”
At 62, Paula still had the moves. She made a joke about her age when she breathed oxygen after show opener, “Straight Up.” Still, her stamina was impressive for her age.
At the show’s end, Paula promised she would forever be our girl before dancing off to her signature song. For who she is and what she offers on that stage, she will be. It may not have been a “concert,” but it’s an experience my 14-year-old self would have eaten up.
Setlist:
Straight Up
Vibeology
Cold Hearted
Opposites Attract
(It's Just) The Way That You Love Me
Rush Rush
The Promise of a New Day / Knocked Out / Ain't Never Gonna Give You Up.
Forever Your Girl
Follow our playlist: