“The Emperor Returns to the Palace”

Rod’s first night back to Caesars was pure magic. Rod and the band all looked fantastic and sounded even better. This was my 56th Rod Stewart concert, however, when the lights dim and “Just Can’t Get Enough” begins followed by the sound of bagpipes filling the arena, I was just as excited to see the curtains open as I did back in 1981.

As with many of his recent shows, Rod opened with Robert Palmer’s “Addicted to Love”. The band were all color coordinated (a la MTV) and Rod made the song his own in a way that would make Robert Palmer proud. After wetting the crowd’s appetite Rod took us back in time to “You Wear It Well”. Having flown in from Minnesota for the show, I especially enjoy hearing the line “I been meaning to phone ya, but from Minnesota….”. Hopefully, Becca Kotte won’t influence Rod to change the lyrics from Minnesota to North Dakota!

One of the pleasant musical surprises came when Rod performed “Tonight I’m Yours” I had only heard this song in concert once, at my first ever Rod show, and have always wished he would bring it back live. This particular performance was stellar due to Rod’s amazing voice and his ultra-talented band.

Joining Rod for a fun and spirited rendition of “It Takes Two” was a relatively new member of the band, Becca Kotte. A Fargo native (hence the previous North Dakota reference), Becca joined the band last year and gives Rod a musical run for his money when the two of them belt out the tune Rod hit the charts with accompanied by another member of Rock Royalty, Tina Turner.

The second musical surprise of the evening was a beautiful rendition of 1991’s “Broken Arrow”. Rod has the ability to take every song he covers and make it truly his own and this one is certainly no exception.

Allowing time for Rod to change clothes, the band held down the stage and kept the audience entertained throughout the evening with renditions of “I’m Every Woman” and “Lady Marmalade”. In addition, fans were graced with some Celtic dance and extraordinary violin presence by the most talented violin/mandolin player I have ever heard, J’Anna Jacoby.

For those who could take their eyes off of Rod for a few moments (I can’t), the screens behind the stage provided spectacular backdrops for such socially aware songs like “People Get Ready”, “The Killing of Georgie”, and “Rhythm of My Heart”. In support of and solidarity with the people of Ukraine, Rod proudly wore the colors of the Ukrainian flag while singing “Rhythm of My Heart” and ended the song with a heartfelt salute to the image of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Like all of Rod’s shows at Caesars Palace, it ended all too soon in keeping with the venue’s 90 minute policy. After an exceptionally rousing, dancing in the aisles, sing-along party with “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” Rod returned to the stage for an encore of “The First Cut is the Deepest”. The crowd had just been blessed with the best 90 minutes of entertainment in all of Las Vegas and as we were leaving I couldn’t help but think that maybe “I Just Can’t Get Enough” should be played at the curtain fall instead.

Review By Sue Walton

Photos By Sue Walton

Main photo By Glenna Heraly