Lionel Richie promised "all the hits" on his tour of the same name, and deliver he did at his United Center stop on Saturday, with an infectious grin, engaging banter and indelible charm. Paired with opener Mariah Carey, the pop icons spanned four decades of chart ruling, R&B-styled singles, which encapsulated their respective eras and marked fans' significant life moments.
"I realize that all of us have been together for a long time," Richie said. "When you fell in love, you arrived by me. When you had children, you arrived by me." Richie showed his mastery of romantic, enduring ballads with songs such as the piano-led "Truly" and "Three Times a Lady" (which he remarked was a song that got people engaged, married or "in a whole lot of trouble").
An around 100-minute set filled with lilting ballads while working in grooving numbers is no small challenge, and in lesser hands momentum might have been killed. But Richie was a consummate performer, deftly weaving his career-launching Commodores songs alongside solo material and personable conversation.
He commanded the triangular stage with panache, directly speaking to individual audience members, which gave an intimate vibe that befit the slow-jam material. He conjured dance parties with equal aplomb, whether it was his blissful "All Night Long" or funky Commodores material, including "Lady (You Bring Me Up)" and "Brick House". He grooved alongside his excellent band, who also worked all corners of the stage, gesticulating, breaking out choreographed moves and jumping about alongside their ringleader.
As with his hits, Richie's sense of humor was gold, teasing dancing moms and their embarrassed kids, and joking about a fan who said he'd made love to the singer ("That's a lie," he deadpanned, knowing the reference was to his mood-setting songs). Certainly after a five-decade career he's well-rehearsed in winning crowds, but his welcoming approach felt sincere and he's clearly still having fun.
In contrast, Carey played up her diva status in all its glory, but with a knowing wink. She entered on an oversized throne, was physically carried off stage and also had her makeup people come out for a touch-up mid-set. Coupled with her stiffness, likely due to her sky-high heels, she could've used the ease Richie displayed.
Still, she showed off her stunning range with her whistle register-reaching "Heartbreaker (Remix)", which featured surprise guest Da Brat, and "Don't Forget About Us". It was also endearing when her young twins joined her for "Always Be My Baby". "Vision of Love" and "Hero" were Carey's showstoppers.
(Chicago Tribune)
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