REVIEW: Cher turns back a LOT of time in Edmonton
Among my late mother’s LP collection is Cher’s 1966 self-titled album. As a kid, I would stare at the album cover, mesmerized by this dark-haired woman who looked both exotic and mysterious. The album was produced by her then-husband and collaborator Sonny Bono, and was largely folk-influenced. My mom was a big fan of ‘60s folk music.
I experienced Cher again as a teenager and young adult during her massive comeback in the late ‘80s and ‘90s. The wistful pop hit If I Could Turn Back Time had a music video featuring Cher’s daring fashion sense, something for which she has become as well-known as her music. Almost a decade later, Believe would become a standard at dance clubs everywhere. Fast forward to 2018, and Cher released her second album of ABBA covers, Dancing Queen.
A ‘70s icon singing some of the most popular songs of the ‘70s – makes perfect sense.
Cher’s farewell tour (supposedly her final, but we’ve heard that before), brought her to Rogers Place Saturday night to a nearly sold-out crowd.
Opening act Nile Rodgers & CHIC definitely had a following in the audience. The legendary soul-funk-R&B guitarist, songwriter, and producer breezed through a whirlwind of No. 1 hits he penned or co-penned, including the classic Sister Sledge song We Are Family, Diana Ross’s I’m Coming Out, and newer material like Get Lucky – which Rodgers co-wrote with Daft Punk and Pharrell Williams.
With an extremely tight band that included two vocalists who flanked him at almost all times, a solid rhythm section, and two horns, Rodgers often let his musicians take the spotlight. He closed with the CHIC smash from the ‘70s Le Freak. The 66-year-old funk legend has a lot to be freaky about (in a good way). He had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer, but was recently given the all-clear.
When it was time for the main event, Cher – with big orange hair – made her entrance descending from above into a group of dancers dressed in Greco-Roman battle attire, for the opening number Women’s World.
Cher later talked to the crowd about growing older (reflecting upon when she turned 40, specifically), and subsequently learning that her Witches of Eastwick co-star Jack Nicholson thought she was too old and not sexy enough. Now 73 and still looking – and sounding – fabulous, she says she wants to inspire women to follow their dreams – and, in her words, to “kick some ass.”
Then she asked, “What is your granny doing tonight?” The building roared with cheers.
Along with the music, there were videos of various points in Cher’s six-decade career – including scenes from her extensive film catalogue. This gave time for elaborate setting and costume changes (which also included several different hairstyles). This was more than just a concert. It was a full on spectacle that included Cher riding on top of an animatronic elephant, dancers performing aerial acrobatics, and multimedia effects – with the huge video screen put to good use.
Despite this tour being called “Here We Go Again” – poking fun at this being yet another farewell tour after Cher’s other farewell tours – her latest album is ABBA covers. However, those songs did not come until well into the program – and there were only three: Waterloo, SOS, and Fernando. With the abundance of talented dancers, it was surprising she didn’t do the obvious choice: Dancing Queen.
One of the most nostalgic moments of the show was when Cher came on stage clad in classic ‘60s bellbottoms. wearing her hair straight and black like in the days of Sonny & Cher. She then proceeded to do a duet of I Got You, Babe with old footage of the late Sonny Bono projected on a screen. She could have no doubt held her own for that song, but the fact she chose to share that moment demonstrated how Sonny and Cher are still closely associated even to this day.
When we got to Turn Back Time, Cher was clad in one of her trademark bodysuits – and rocking it. She concluded with Believe, her voice still sounding fresh and sultry after nearly two hours of giving it her all. There was no encore. There was no need for one after that strong of an ending. It certainly was memorable, and the audience – made up of all ages – were fully into it the whole time.
I just wish my mother could have been there.
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