Houston concert light on content

If Friday night’s event at The Ballpark in Old Orchard Beach had been a baseball game, it would have been postponed. But since it was a concert, the event went on, with those in attendance getting soaked, both literally and figuratively.

The star attraction for the concert at the Seashore Performing Arts Center was Whitney Houston, performing on her 28th birthday, but the main presence of the evening was the 1 inch of rain which lashed southern Maine.

But the bone-drenching rain wasn’t the only damper on the event. Concert-goers faced traffic delays of up to an hour, with cars backed up several miles nearly to the Maine Turnpike exit, causing many to miss some or all of the opening act. Three lanes of vehicles, from as far away as Minnesota, jammed into the one street threading through the resort town.

Then there was the unexplained and unconscionable 65-minute “intermission” between the opening act, After 7, and Houston’s initial appearance. Any enthusiasm sparked by After 7 dissipated during the downpour. At this same time, the roofing over the stage had sprung leaks, which led to roadies trying to clean up the water with mops and towels.

Undoubtedly, the conditions led in part to the show which followed. A double staircase joined by a overhead catwalk at the back of the set was largely unutilized. During the show, Houston made reference to technical problems, and it’s quite likely other songs and/or choreography were scratched from the program as well.

But the problems with Houston’s show went beyond those already mentioned. One was the briefness of the show, a little more than an hour — or about the length of the intermission. For a $24 ticket, those roughly 6,000 in attendance got to hear Houston sing eight hits, or less than the contents of any of her three albums.

She ignored such hits as “Didn’t We Almost Have It All,” “You Give Good Love,” “Nobody Loves Me Like You Do,” “All At Once,” “Where Do Broken Hearts Go” and “Take Good Care of My Heart.”

Then there was Houston’s performance style. The possessor of one of pop music’s greatest voices, especially when she’s improvising, Houston nonetheless isn’t yet a great performer. Her interaction with the audience was minimal at best. Concert-goers could have felt the same rapport with one of her albums.

As for her dancing ability, Houston is not Paula Abdul. Her style can best be described as “beginning aerobics,” with a few half-hearted kicks and jumping jacks.

Houston was at her best when she stood still and emoted. These moments came on her ballads, including an extended “Saving All My Love for You,” which had an almost gospel-like fervor; and the touching encore “Greatest Love of All,” during which a few members of the audience swayed, their hands held high.

The other numbers were more of a mixed bag. Houston, garbed in a black monogrammed blouse and tight black pants covered by a brown bomber jacket, started the night off with “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” She playfully substituted the line “chase this rain away,” which got a roar from the wet crowd.

Those close enough watched Houston on stage, while the majority of the audience viewed the event on two big closed-circuit screens on either side of the stage.

After the backup singers carried the melody through “So Emotional,” Houston came back with “Saving All My Love for You” then jumped into the infectious “How Will I Know?” That number was strangely capped with a pair of rap verses from a couple of road crew members.

After swooping and soaring on the ballad “All the Man That I Need,” Houston kicked up the tempo with “My Name Is Not Susan.”

One highlight of the evening came when her mother, gospel singer Cissy Houston, unexpectedly came on stage, singing first a verse from the Carpenters’ “Close to You” before leading the band and the audience in “Happy Birthday.” Whitney Houston was congratulated by all the members of her entourage, including her unidentified boyfriend.

Houston closed out the regular set with a sizzling “I’m Your Baby Tonight,” and went out with a bang as fireworks exploded from the set. After her trademark encore, she left to a partial standing ovation, as her soggy fans went home to dry out.

One exciting discovery for many audience members was the opening act After 7, who are kind of a family affair for Houston. Kevon and Melvin Edmonds are brothers of Babyface, and Keith Mitchell is a cousin of L.A. Babyface and L.A. are one of Houston’s favorite producing teams.

After 7 got the evening off hot and fast with their hits “Ready or Not,” “Can’t Stop,” “Heat of the Moment” and “Don’t Cha’ Think.” The trio alternated singing lead vocals and smooth harmonies, and all three had great dance moves. The smoking trio is a group to watch in the future.