For those of u whom care.....

The toronto sun

R&B POP PHENOM RIPS OFF HIS SHIRT, MAKES HIMSELF AT HOME


THE MAN behind the biggest-selling album of the year so far, Confessions, pulled into the Air Canada Centre last night as part of his so-called Truth Tour. However, 25-year-old R&B-pop star Usher appeared more interested in showing off some seriously sexy dance moves and changing clothes than delivering any heartfelt truths.

The artist first appeared in sunglasses and a white suit rising out of the back of his enormous stage that was dominated by gleaming steel platforms and staircases.

He was actually brought closer to the sold-out audience -- largely made up of excited young females judging from the high-pitched screams -- via a moving platform. Other bells and whistles included explosions, steam bursts, fireworks and confetti.

Usher may hate comparisons to his most obvious contemporary, the equally smooth Justin Timberlake, but judging from his highly choreographed, 90-minute show -- which saw him perform headstands, one-armed handstands and push-ups, moonwalk, breakdance and the splits -- he may protest just a little too much.

Confessions, which debuted at No. 1 in March and has set several Soundscan records, is widely believed to be about Usher's break-up with TLC's Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas, his girlfriend of three years.

During the older song, U Remind Me, he was rebuffed by one of his female dancers when he tried to give her a kiss.

Otherwise, the drama was kept to a minimum, and Usher -- backed by a four-piece band and eight dancers -- was able to show off his impressive physicality that included some mighty sexy thrusting and ripping his shirt in half to a deafening roar.

But nothing really matched his personal serenade to a woman he picked out of the audience and proceeded to seduce -- complete with a bouquet of white roses -- on a chaise lounge right in front of the besotted crowd.

Confessions has spawned three hits, Burn, Yeah! and Confessions, Pt. 2, which were all in the Top Ten in the same week, making the Tennessee native the first solo artist -- and only the third artist after The Beatles and The Bee Gees -- to accomplish that feat.

The trio of tunes were well-represented last night but Usher's musical accomplishments ultimately seemed to pale in comparison to his physical presence.

Opening act hip-hop newcomer Kanye West, riding high on the success of his mega-selling debut, The College Dropout, proved almost as big a hit with the crowd as Usher. The audience was on its feet from the moment he took control of the microphone.

Performing on a stage with a Chicago skyline backdrop to reflect his hometown, and seven panels that projected both words and images, the clean-cut rapper -- decked out in a sweater, khakis and loafers -- was backed solely by keyboardist/vocalist John Legend and turntablist A-Trak. (Although rappers GLC and Consequence did make an appearance during one song.)

But the stripped-down presentation hardly reflected the energetic vibe put forward by West and the audience's enthusiastic response.

When West wasn't paying tribute to the recently deceased Rick James -- his panels spelled out R.I.P., while a snippet of James' hit, Give It To Me Baby was played -- he was working the crowd into a frenzy with such songs as Keep Em' High and We Don't Care, and his current hit, Jesus Walks.

MORE USHER: For those who can't get enough Usher in their lives, the R&B star stops by MuchMusic today at 3 p.m. for an hour-long visit on Live@Much. Usher will chat with host Rick Campanelli and take questions from fans via phone, e-mail, and Speaker's Corner. He also earlier announced a second date at the ACC on Oct. 10. Tickets went on sale yesterday.

USHER

AIR CANADA CENTRE

'Sexy thang!'

-- JANE STEVENSON, SUN

Sun Rating: 3 out of 5

Usher: famous for shirtless shots and "saucy" sticking-out-his-tongue-at-the-camera during(you guessed it) lifting-his-shirt-to-expose-his-abs photoshoots.

And that's about it.
[This message was edited Tue Aug 10 14:48:22 2004 by VoicesCarry]