At American Airlines Center, Tina Turner was fabulous and flaunted it

08:05 AM CDT on Monday, October 27, 2008

By MARIO TARRADELL / Music Critic mtarradell@dallasnews.com

Tina Turner. In a word — fabulous.

The 68-year-old icon performed for more than two hours Sunday night at American Airlines Center during her first tour in eight years. Before what looked like a hair-from-sold-out crowd, Tennessee's Anna Mae Bullock rocked 'n' rolled, turned soulful, got the blues and even summoned the heavens during a bit of Tina-styled gospel.

The woman looked fabulous, easily fitting into mini-dresses that showed off her lithe legs. She's a force of nature, maybe even a freak of nature. Time has been mighty kind to her, both physically and artistically. She offered up a career-spanning set of songs, all of which felt new again in her capable hands.

The opener, "Steamy Windows," and her signature tune, "What's Love Got to Do With It," among others, proved every number for her is an emotional experience. She puts her being into each song.

She also knows how to put on a show that delivered on spectacle without ever using flash to compensate for a lack of artistry. Ms. Turner chews up production. During "We Don't Need Another Hero" from the 1985 film Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, she was in the classic costume for her role as Aunty Entity. With dancers in appropriate get-up, she sang under a steel arbor-like contraption.

For "Goldeneye," it was all about Bond, James Bond. She emerged from a lighted ring up high. Her dancers were decked out in gold trench coats.

The eye candy was wonderful. But she doesn't need it. She was fiery during "What You Get Is What You See," sultry during "Private Dancer," explosive during "Undercover Agent for the Blues," electric during the Rolling Stones' "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and fearless during "Nutbush City Limits." She sang that one from a crane that stretched out into different areas of the audience.

Watching Tina Turner perform is akin to witnessing entertainment royalty. She remains simply fabulous.

I’m glad you enjoyed it. I can totally understand your crying. Was that your first time seeing her? Quite overwhelming isn’t it?

I don’t know why I didn’t just buy 2 sets of tickets upfront since as soon as the show is over I always want to see her again. I’m getting so excited for this show.

I seen her one...
I cried as well...
I went with with my mother...it was for her birthday.
She cried as well...
You cannot put in words...or should I say it's hard to explain what you feel at a Tina conceert....
She is explosive! Professional! Classy! Sexy! Driven! Pure Entertainment!...and has perfected her craft.... in one word she is "TINA"
She like Prince is someone who is more appreciated when you see them live! You get such a treat and she does inspire you to go out there and just "do it"....I love her and her music. There will be no other Tina Turner....that's one bad ass bitch!

Glad u had a good time. Sounded like a good show. She is one of my all-time favorite performers. How many impersonators did you see?

daPrettyman said:

Actually I didn't see any. I was on the end of a row so i couldn't really see the rest of the floor.

So, I went to see Tina last night and did something I've never done at a concert. . . cried. I started crying the minute she got on stage and cried for the first 3 songs. I don't know what the hell was going on with me. But when she got on stage I suddenly reflected on all the abuse and pain she went through to get to the age of 68 and be the awesome woman and survivor that killed it last night. All, I can say is WOW.

SCNDLS said:

Oh boy. I love Tina. I've been to a few of her concerts over the years. Got a few greatest hits and read a couple of books about her. I wish she hadn't marketed herself in the 80's as a victim. She was just as stoned, crazy and out there as Ike was. I feel bad for the men and women who have gone through real stuff. But Tina's story, in the movie and on Oprah, is largely bullsht.

funksterr said:

Unless you were there, I'm gonna take her word for it. Kthanxbai.

SCNDLS said:

A lot of people who were there say that victim thing is nonsense. Tina ain't no kind of angel, but she's making money playing the role so she ain't coming clean no time soon. But it's a shame that good people have been lied to.

SCNDLS said:

A lot of people who were there say that victim thing is nonsense. Tina ain't no kind of angel, but she's making money playing the role so she ain't coming clean no time soon. But it's a shame that good people have been lied to.

You know I never really thought of Tina as a victim. I'm sure they got to fisticuffing at times or maybe she just got straight beat but for some reason I didn't feel like poor Tina because she had her input too. I'm sure Hollywood had to put their spin on things and whatever went on between them is in the past but it doesn't change how I (personally) feel about her at least as an entertainer.

funksterr said:

Again, Who are "a lot of people?" I've never heard anyone of merit question the validity of her claims.

IMO Tina is much more credible than crackhead Ike Turner. Again, people can say what they want but SHE says she was abused and I have no reason to doubt it. I read I, Tina and I doubt that Kurt Loder would just make shit up and blatantly lie just to make it juicy and that she'd go along with it.

JackieBlue said:

Tina, AKA Anna Mae Bullock came from the hard-knocks of NUTBUSH. I know Ike and Tina both were throwing punches. Reports have stated of violent arguments between the two of them.

SCNDLS said:

Yeah the girl was not only physically roughed up but was also emotionally and psychologically abused by Ike. The movie did push it but the biography she released was for real.

Timmy84 said:

Just cuz you defend yourself, as a woman, doesn't mean you can't be abused.

SCNDLS said:

That's true, I did say that she was emotionally and psychologically abused too.

Timmy84 said:

Our posts crossed.