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 Jamey Johnson |
 Amanda Watkins |
 Jamey Johnson |
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Review and photos by Jennifer Bronenkant The last time Jamey Johnson appeared in Milwaukee was in 2010, a year that had Johnson performing in Milwaukee three times - at The Pabst Theater, The Riverside Theater and Miller Park as part of the Farm Aid 25 Concert.In the time that has past since his last visit, Johnson has developed a confidence on stage that only enhances the magic of his deeply rich and slowly deliberate vocal delivery. It is all about the music at his shows. There is no flashiness in style or staging as is seen with most current Nashville acts. Johnson doesn't engage in any audience chit chat except for thanking them for coming. The seven piece band of well seasoned musicians delivers a no bullshit solid salt of the earth Country sound. The group includes electric guitar, pedal steel guitar, bass, two drummers and a keyboards/fiddle player led by Johnson and his acoustic guitar. The crowd enthusiastically sang along with Johnson's most commercial hits along with covers of newer material but many seemed unfamiliar with Outlaw and Country classics like Waylon Jennings' "Amanda" and Johnny Paycheck's "11 Months, 29 Days." The greatest hits bias in the crowd is probably due to the fact that the show was sponsored by a Milwaukee radio station with a playlist heavy on current Nashville pop. At least Johnson's show exposed the crowd to the roots of Country that they may not have the opportunity to hear much around here. The set opened with a powerful "High Cost Of Living" which had the audience singing along from the first note. The set included several of his biggest hits to please the crowd such as "That Lonesome Song and "Can't Cash My Checks." Mixed in to his own collection of hits, Johnson put his spin on covers including a hauntingly dark rendition of "You Are My Sunshine," homages to friends and country greats including the late George Jones with "The One I Loved Back Then" and Willie Nelson with "Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground" along with upbeat covers of "Tulsa Time" and "Dixieland Delight" and a even a classic rock number in Bob Seeger's "Turn The Page." Johnson's young daughter Kylee joined him on stage for the sing along of his greatest hit "In Color." The two hour set ended with a rousing performance of Hank Williams' "I Saw The Light." Opening act Amanda Watkins, accompanied by Johnson's longtime guitar player Cowboy, got the crowd warmed up with a sexy Country set in a style reminiscent of Gretchen Wilson. |
| The Set List: | |
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High Cost Of Living Place Out On The Ocean That Lonesome Song You Are My Sunshine Can't Cash My Checks The One I Loved Back Then (The Corvette Song) I Fall To PIeces 11 Months, 29 Days The Guitar Song Keep Your Hands To Yourself Dixieland Delight Amanda |
If I Was Over You - with Amanda Watkins Big River Lonely At The Top Macon By The Seat Of Your Pants In Color Just Give It Away Turn The Page Tulsa Time Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground Mowing' Down The Roses I Saw The Light |
 Jamey Johnson & Amanda Watkins |
 Jamey Johnson |
 Jamey Johnson |