The Bass Geek

Indeed she did. Complete with “Yippie-Ky-Yays” and all. It was but one highlight of an extremely interesting evening at Radio Radio Tuesday evening.

Local openers Mars or the Moon acquitted themselves nicely in the first timeslot, winning over quite a few members of the crowd. It was a little difficult to keep up with fellow opener Jim Bianco’s set, though, as you had to slog through interminable stories to get to the next tune. When Napolitano finally took the stage, the audience was ready for her, and she delivered with aplomb.

The set relied on several songs from across the Concrete Blonde catalog, along with the addition of some songs from her new album “Scarred” (including a cover of Coldplay’s “The Scientist”*) and the aforementioned “Ghost Riders.” Throughout the set, Napolitano was in stunning voice, seemingly having lost nothing at age 50 (a fact she proclaimed passionately from stage at one point). She also interacted easily with the crowd on topics ranging from wondering whether Hillary Clinton would care for Patron to the effect having broken fingers was having on certain self-gratification activities. As soon as these asides were made, though, she’d launch into another song and leave the room silent, stunned by the power of her voice. A brief encore ended with Janis Joplin’s “Mercedes-Benz” (updated with obligatory biodiesel references), and it was back out onto the streets of Fountain Square for the quick jaunt home. Having a show like this that close to home is a blessing.

*Evidently, it took a strong voice and many months’ separation to make the tune tolerable.