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Chris Isaak plays "Wicked Games" in Vail

Charlie Owencowen@vaildaily.comVail, CO Colorado
Special to the Vail DailySinger/songwriter Chris Isaak plays a free concert Friday night at the International Bridge in Vail, Colorado
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VAIL, Colorado Singer and songwriter Chris Isaak, who plays in Vail, Colorado Friday night, has had one heck of a successful career. His bluesy surf-rock song Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing (off his Forever Blue album) was featured in Stanley Kubriks fim Eyes Wide Shut and his song Two Hearts was featured in the Christian Slater vehicle True Romance. Two of his songs, Gone Ridin and Livin for Your Lover were featured in David Lynchs cult classic film Blue Velvet. Isaak himself is somewhat of a cult figure in the world of rock music. Hes released 12 albums over 15 years, starred in his own series called The Chris Isaak Show, and he can most recently be found interviewing other famous music legends on the Biography Channels The Chris Isaak Hour. Isaak is perhaps best known to the masses for his 1989 tour de force of heartache and longing Wicked Games, off the album Heart Shaped World.Isaak will be in Vail Friday night to perform a free show with opening act Lisa Witty as part of the Spring Back to Vail annual concert series that allows locals to gather and celebrate the end of another ski season in Vail. James Deighan, vice president of Highline Sports & Entertainment, the Vail company promoting the show, Isaak continues a list of solid music acts for the Spring Back to Vail music festival.As always when booking the bands for events like Spring Back to Vail we try to secure well-known, accomplished artists who will guarantee an amazing show Having won three MTV Video Awards and three Grammys, I think we have done it again with Chris Isaak, Deighan said.Awesome concert musicIsaaks music can best be described as a mix of country, California surf rock and old-fashioned acoustic guitar playing over melodic vocals that often suggest heartbreak and hurt feelings. Much of his lyrical content is focused on fragmented relationships with women and the message is clear whether its heard in up-tempo rockers like Lets Have A Party or slowed-down ballads like Wicked Games.(Hes) an artist who will truly entertain anyone and everyone experiencing his show, Deighan said.Basalt resident Margot Hampleman said shes looking forward to seeing Isaak perform in Vail, having already seen him three other times. She compared his style of music and voice to that of legendary country-rocker Roy Orbison.You can dance to almost every one of (Isaaks) songs, Hampleman said. Hes got such great stage presence, hes very sexy, and hes good looking.Although she likes all of his music, Hampleman said shes especially fond of Isaaks newest album, Mr. Lucky.Its just a little more upbeat its great party music and awesome concert music, Hampleman said.From what shes experienced in the past, Hampleman said the Vail crowd should expect some great costume changes and a show that never stops until the final chord is struck.I believe that every concert Ive seen hes not taken a break, he just goes straight through, Hampleman said. Hes funny, he tells great jokes he has a really good stage presence and connects with the audience.


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