Tina Turner

Tina Turner never, ever takes anything nice and easy. Including retirement. Apparently off the road for good at the turn of the century, she popped up on the Grammys last February, performing "Proud Mary" in a feverish duet with Beyoncé. Now she arrives in town as part of an ambitious tour that will extend into 2009 with a slew of European dates. And she promises to be in prime, incomparable Tina form, which means an abundance of frenetic energy and vocals electrified with soulful power. Which may be a lot to ask of the average 68-year-old. But not Tina, who said in a press release that she and "her girls" have been hoofing it eight to ten hours (!) daily in preparation for the tour. In addition to a "spectacular" new stage show, expect a full slate of hits ranging from her Ike and Tina Turner Revue days through recent solo nuggets. Many can be found on the new compilation Tina! (Capitol), including several live versions of tunes (like Al Green's "Let's Stay Together") and a pair of new, appropriately sweaty, mid-tempo rock ballads ("It Would Be a Crime," "I'm Ready"). Word is the Queen will be back in all her acidic glory.
Thu., Oct. 9, 6:30 p.m., 2008