By Darryl Smyers, Special Contributor
The Kessler Theater was nearly sold out Friday night as former American Idol winner (and Houston native) David Cook took the stage before a throng of 30- and 40-somethings. They hooted and hollered as if they were in the presence of greatness.
If one were to judge Cook only by the crowd's adulation, it might be tempting to look at him as something other than just another manufactured star, a corporate creation buffed and polished to a shine. Songs such as "Heartbeat," "Heroes" and "Broken Windows" came across as well-crafted clichés, alternative rock void of true inspiration and made for TV.
Seeing that Cook had an established and remotely successful career before winning Idol back in 2008, it was surprising how quickly his show descended into a parade of banalities. Even the between-song banter was a bit lame. "You guys remember that [television] show Dallas?" Cook asked during one especially long diatribe.
Cook's originals were harmless if ham-fisted, but his cover choices approached blasphemy. Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game" was twisted into a power ballad. During the piano intro, Cook himself called it "soap-opera rock." Yet Cook seemingly understood nothing of the song's eerie romanticism and instead turned "Wicked Game" into a frat anthem. Volume is no substitute for desire.
Later on, Cook and his band attempted Stevie Ray Vaughan's "Pride and Joy," and while they were technically proficient, no one on stage communicated what made the song special to begin with. Vaughan's passion was distilled from blues legends such as Lightnin' Hopkins and Robert Johnson. Cook's version was closer to Guitar Hero karaoke.
The entire show felt mismatched. The band's cheap carnival light effects did not fit the Kessler's stately ambiance. Indeed, many in the crowd had never been to the venue before. It was as if a show scheduled for an arena had been, at the last minute, forced into an intimate club.
Through it all, Cook was jovial and perfectly professional. His music is well-crafted, but it lacks the subtlety and fire of his obvious influences. He may wish to channel the spirit of Vaughan and the emotion of Isaak, but in truth, Cook is an approximation of blues, rock and soul.
Darryl Smyers is a Dallas freelance writer.
