>
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=298&articleid=2... >In review: AC/DC at the BOK
>By Jennifer Chancellor World Scene Writer
>Published: 1/27/2009 12:46 AM
>Last Modified: 1/27/2009 12:46 AM
>The cold and inclement weather didn't stop those about to rock at the
>BOK Center on Monday night.
>The rock and roll train rumbled into the center and crashed onto the
>stage, a cartoonish Angus Young shoveled coals into the speeding
>behemoth as the real thing pounded out the intro to "Rock and Roll
>Train," from the band's new album, "Black Ice."
>A life-size steam engine with "AC/DC" emblazoned on it rumbled onto
>the stage.
>Early, lines were sparse and quick-moving in the freezing rain, which
>sent wind chills plummeting below 15 degrees Monday evening.
>Thousands arrived early and security personnel ushered fans into the
>warm foyer of the arena, where they huddled until seating opened at
>6:30 p.m. By 9:15, the venue was nearly full.
>A near-capacity crowd dripped sweat as pyrotechnics ushered them far
>from the slick roadways outside and into musical purgatory with hits
>including "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap," "Hells Bells," "Back in
>Black," "Thunderstruck" and "You Shook Me All Night Long," and new
>tunes including "Black Ice" and "War Machine."
>As if anyone would forget who they came to see, the AC/DC logo loomed
>large on everything – the steam engine; the huge ringing bell; the
>cartoon bombers blasted onto projection screens and fighting giant
>logo-masted pirate ships while tanktop-wearing go-go dancers dancing
>on logoed Army tanks; the briefs Angus Young flashed the audience …
>and probably most spectacularly, the tattooed-arm, stories-tall,
>ample-chested inflatable Rosie that bucked atop the train to "Whole
>Lotta Rosie."
>And then there
>were the cannons. Six of them. They went off. A lot. And nothing says
>rock 'n' roll like artillery fire.
>These Aussies know that nothing's more American than excess. From the
>rows and rows of Marshall amps to the hyperspeed version of "Let There
>Be Rock" - replete with career-spanning montage culminating in Young's
>10-minute-plus guitar solo atop an elevated platform above the crowd,
>with no whammy bar, no wah pedal, just punch-drunk Young pushing his
>legendary Gibson SG to the limit.
>Brian Johnson's trademark sneer and clenched-jaw yelp ignited the
>audience as he swayed from a giant bell clapper on "Hells Bells," then
>he jumped off, ran across the stage, planted a foot on a monitor and
>pointed at the feral audience. As the band transitioned into "Shoot to
>Thrill," he yelled, "A-ha! That's rock and roll! Right there!"
>And. The. Crowd. Went. Wild!
>Few words come to mind to accurately explain the overall culmination
>of the night's over-the-top arena show. One is, ridiculous.
>The other two are, totally awesome.
>By Jennifer Chancellor World Scene Writer
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