David Cook at The Fillmore in San Francisco on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO – As I was headed from paying for my parking in the structure diagonally across from The Fillmore Tuesday night, I overheard one guy say to another: “I don’t think he was ready for The Fillmore.”
Well, maybe they went to different concert than I did.
Or maybe they weren’t referring to David Cook. Maybe it was a buddy of theirs.
But one thing is for certain David Cook was indeed ready for The Fillmore.
Fourteen songs, one encore, 75 minutes of pure rock n roll. He and his band were more than ready.
There were plenty of legendary echos in that place Tuesday night and he probably woke up more than a few of them.
Amidst the Cougars and the Kids there is a love affair for the guy. And, yes, even if you are a 62-year old male Boomer you can admit – unabashedly – that you like his music. You like the songs he writes. You like the ones he interprets. You like the band behind him. The drummer, the lead guitar player put on a show themselves.
Oh, he still didn’t introduce all of them and that is something he absolutely needs to work into his show. But that’s ticky-tack especially when you compare it to the way he sang “I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight.” Amazing.
It’s oh-so-easy to hear just about any artist on a record and realize how sanitized the recording is. I don’t know how many times they do it, or how many ways they splice it together, but it always comes out perfect. The real trick is to hear the artist do the same song in person. It’s always different, the spin is always unique and sometimes it really, really works.
So it was with Cook Tuesday night. He sang “Lie” and “I Did It For You” way, way better than the recordings.
He opened with “Mr. Sensitive” and “Heroes” and ended it with “Come Back To Me.”
“We had a couple of days off before the show,” he said, “and we got to experience the City and now to play in the historic Fillmore.”
I don’t quite know what the two guys in the garage were thinking as they left, but I have a feeling I know what the mom and her daughter who had driven over from Modesto and stood in line for eight hours to be in the front row were thinking.
Mr. Cook, I applaud you.
franniew
Glad you made up your own mind, seeing is believing and I knew David Cook was more then ready to play a great venue. David cook puts his heart and feelings into his performances and it is truly a unique experience.
September 9th, 2009 1:41 am
latina
excellent review! @thedavidcook needs to go global ASAP so his fans from all over the world, specially Latin America, can enjoy his amazing music and talent.
September 9th, 2009 5:17 am
CanadaDCFan
Great review… those who have been to his shows since February already knew he was ready for the Filmore.. we’re just glad others are finding that out too!!
September 9th, 2009 6:19 am
Sandy G
Great review and I completely agree with you about David Cook. His live concerts are something to experience – and I have 14 times so far and have 3 more scheduled and wish there were more. Every show is different. I know a woman that follows another band, a very successful band that has been together for a long time and charges nearly $200 for a ticket. She says every show they do in one tour is exactly like every other show in that same tour, even the jokes they tell. Not David Cook. It’s all different, new, fresh. And it keeps getting better and better, like the examples you gave of “Lie” and “I Did It For You.”
I do have one complaint, though, and I guess I’m whistling into the wind here, but I detest the term “cougar.” It’s a very derogatory term. Some older fans use it without the knowledge of the connotation, but that does not excuse columnists from understanding that connotation and avoiding the use of it. We are not cougars. We are just fans. I shouldn’t have to remind you that Woodstock was 40 (FORTY!) years ago, so the rockers who attended that and those that wanted to attend but couldn’t, are now in their 60′s, some nearly 70. Rock began with the generation of us retired and soon-to-be retired people. So show us a little consideration, please.
But again, thanks for the great review. Fans of David know how right you are.
September 9th, 2009 6:42 am
cougar40n
You are so right about pretty much everything in this piece — I’m SO glad you went to the concert and I’m not surprised you had a great time. Cook and The Anthemic love what they do and it shows — no phoning it in here. You’re also right about introducing the band — don’t know what got into him — he’s been doing it more lately, even joking about it. But for as much respect as he has for these friends and bandmates, this doesn’t happen as much as most of us think it should– almost wonder if THEY balk (at one point there was joking on stage about it feeling like intros to a boy band). Still, something they’re smart enough to figure out.
September 9th, 2009 6:48 am
Karen
When is David Cook going to come to Toronto, Canada?
Please book a concert here.
September 9th, 2009 7:17 am
jlgnyc
Thank you for this excellent review. Always appreciate someone who has actually listened to the Artist prior to review and Your comments were right-on!
David Cook is so much better live than on the record. I have been to 5 live concerts and DC/The Anthemic just keeping getting better. Would love to have been at the “Historic Fillmore” unfortunately I’m a Coast away. What a great moment for DC, Neal, Andy, Kyle, Monty
They are always ready to Rock and They do.
September 9th, 2009 7:53 am
follia
I was there last night and had an awesome time. The historic Fillmore indeed, and David Cook was/is ready. Stage presence, vocals, amazing band. I guess there are always going to be some concert goers who are looking for “something else”. But, that crowd last night was loving it. Lots of noise and singing along and that exhilarating sense of everyone coming together to have a great time sharing the experience of a great performance.
September 9th, 2009 8:02 am
Mary
HI Bill … it sure was a blast last night…. We are the mom and daughter from Modesto.. Thank you so much for taking about us … I got a big smile when I read that … Have a wonderful rest of your day !!!
September 9th, 2009 8:29 am
Juliann
Maybe those two guys were very jealous of his talent. Ive been to David concert and it was Amazing . He has a Great band too !!! Usualy he does introduce them,but I dont think they like it much. He said somethiung about that in one of his concert videos banters.
September 9th, 2009 8:57 am
Judy
When I heard David Cook and The Anthemic were going to play the legendary Fillmore, I asked Duane Allman to look after him. Apparently, he did and I bet he was up there jammin’ with him. All the stars that have performed there started in the same place DC did…sometimes we forget that he has already done the ‘little hole-in-the-wall bar’ thing and the ‘selling my CD in the parking lot for $5.00′ thing. He’s earned this no matter whether he used American Idol to propel him to greater heights or not. He’s the real deal, fashioned from raw talent, good old American hard work and just being willing to put himself out there. Just like The Allman Bros…just like all who graced the Fillmore stage before him. He belonged. Period.
September 9th, 2009 9:30 am
unincorporated
I’m glad to hear you like David Cook; but what I want to know is was the Fillmore ready for HIM? Not to say he’s perfect, and he is of course, very young. But what many snobs have yet to discover is just how deep his talent goes; often people just lamely criticize because he was on “that tv show.” That’s said; it’s their (big) loss: Cook’s voice is spectacular and unique, and anyone who’s followed his songwriting knows that when he’s finally freed from over-processing, his success is going to go off the charts.
side note: I’m curious, does every big star introduce every member of their band at every show? I am pretty sure it happens only occasionally; or maybe they’ll wave a hand towards them and say, “Let’s hear it for this great band!” I find it strange that people criticize Cook for this; can’t help but think they are looking for the chink in his “Idol” armor. If you’ve followed David Cook, you’ll know that he’s proven over and over that he’s a remarkably generous and kind person, so that makes that criticism especially moot.
Now, Mr Pinella, you like David Cook and recognize his talent, so I ask this because you are a member of the media. Why pick up on the “introduce the band” criticism, furthering the non-cognescenti’s nit-picking?
September 9th, 2009 9:49 am
unincorporated
Don’t know if I can edit here, but I meant to say “people just lamely criticize because he was on “that tv show.” That’s SAD; it’s their (big) loss…”
September 9th, 2009 9:52 am
supercool
David cook deserves it all. He is a great role model for us all. Thanks to sandy g for pointing out we original rockers. Ily dc. Rock on.
September 9th, 2009 11:17 am
sheriaz
Agree with your review and also with many of the comments made here. And I also would like to remind the press about the term “cougar”. I am also of the generation that grew up with rock ‘n roll and saw the Beatles perform at my first live concert at the Cow Palace in 1965 (or was it 64?). So please respect the older fans who love rock (also saw Nickelback last night since I couldn’t be in SF for Cook).
September 9th, 2009 11:23 am
David's Girl
I love David Cook. He’s an amazing guy.
September 9th, 2009 1:15 pm
gayle
The show last night was absolutely unbelievable! David was even better than I remembered. His stage prsence alone says it all and his band, also amazing! The house was definately rockin’ last night!
September 9th, 2009 1:17 pm
Kyle Zack
I was at the David Cook concert too last night and i am a 27 year old who went with two family friends who are older than i am and we all loved the show. I thought it was the best concert i ever went to. David is a great performer and he is a genuine guy who care about others.
September 9th, 2009 6:50 pm
Marie
Fillmore concert was unbelievable. David was great. Screaming fans enjoying his music , humor, charisma , good vocals and hot looking personality. All fans should be able to have the opportunity to watch him perform.
We all went home happy. David rocks!
September 9th, 2009 8:24 pm
Shelley
I saw David in Sacramento at the State Fair and he was wonderful. I had the best time. He is so awesome I can’t wait to see him again. Darn… I didn’t know he was playing in San Fran – I would of LOVED to have gone!! DC is the BEST idol and entertainer EVER!!
September 10th, 2009 8:11 am
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