Paris, France show review
Hubert Lizé, Le Parisien
(Translation of original article. Read the original French article here)
One would expect to see a peaceful folk singer slipping into obscurity up to the microphone and instead, it's a genuine rocker tumbling on an electric tempo worthy of ZZ Top. White shirt waistcoat, jeans, boots on his feet, Kevin Costner, 55, enters stage the American way: arms raised to embrace the audience, a charming smile on the right, a wink on the left, hand on his heart for the girls - many – that have come discover flesh and blood the immortal hero of "Dances with Wolves".
"Around me, people always seem surprised when I say that I sing, he says in English. So your applause, it goes straight to my heart. But enough said: time for some rock n roll"
Supported by Modern West, the band with whom he has been touring for the past 12 years and who partnered with him on the second album "Turn It On", the musician grabs an acoustic guitar and starts with a series of rock mid-tempo very honest songs. One senses the influence of Springsteen, Neil Young or the Stones, rock stars that the Californian has always admired.
We find a voice that, without being exceptional, has nothing to envy to many sizeable stars of country music. In the room, many came out of curiosity for the Hollywood star. "I appreciated all his roles and I also like his own directed films. And he is so sexy that I wanted to see him on stage. It is no small pleasure." Frederique says, 41 years old, accompanying two girlfriends.
More attracted by the musician, Kevin, 21, a fan of Bruce Springsteen discovered Costner as a singer in one of his films. "Since then, I respect him. He has real roots in music. And he is rich, he is a star, there is no need for this. We feel he really plays rock for pleasure."
More so than a parenthesis in an acting career a little calmer in recent years, his tour clearly offers Kevin Costner an accomplishment. Very popular in Germany, he is about to go on the road throughout the month of March. "We should do things without warning and too bad if it shocks people" he suggests he between songs. An infectious enthusiasm. After forty-five minutes of show, the whole audience is clapping in time with the hero of "the untouchables" who has become a very credible rocker.
