Review: Allan in good voice for Pershing show

L. KENT WOLGAMOTT
Lincoln Journal Star
Posted: Friday, November 6, 2009

GAry Allan has come a long way from the Pla-Mor Ballroom. That's where the California country singer made his first local appearance years ago, primarily playing the songs in the Bakersfield style popularized by Buck Owens.

Thursday night at Pershing Center, the twang and shuffle largely were gone, replaced by balladry and more rockin' numbers, most of which have raced up the country charts.

Performing in front of a simple-but-effective setup of curtains, video screen and moving lights, Allan and his band delivered a perfectly paced 105-minutes - revving things up out of the gate, slowing down for some ballads, tossing in an acoustic mini-set before trotting out "Today," the single from his new record, then taking off at the end with rowdier numbers, including the Todd Snider-penned "Alright Guy" and the closer, "Drinkin' Dark Whiskey."

Allan was in good voice, wringing the emotion out of songs like "Right Where I Need To Be" and seemingly having as good a time as the crowd of about 3,000 people.

Jack Ingram preceded Allan onstage and showed that he's fit for arenas, connecting with the crowd musically and with his banter. The Eli Young Band opened the show with a well-received 30-minute set.

Reach L. Kent Wolgamott

Awesome review- Thanks for sharing.. Wishing I had a show to plan for.

Very nice! Thanks for sharing.

Great read thanks for sharing

Good to see--looking forward to my seeing it in DEC

Thanks for the post!!

Thanks for posting this awesome review. Can't wait to see them in AC.