Tina Turner's sexy energy sets the joint jumping

Concert review

Tina Turner, Lionel Richie and Janice Robinson Friday night at the Tacoma Dome.

Tina Turner remains the supreme seductress of R&B. She knows how to use every part of her body and spirit to entice and excite.

Everybody talks about her legs, but what about those lips -- those big, wet, dark red lips. She gave them a working for the adoring capacity crowd Friday night at the Tacoma Dome. Knowing the cameras would pick up every pout, every snarl, every blown kiss, and project them as big as a building on the three video screens, she teased us with those wondrous lips, while her eyes sparkled with humor and mischief.

She said at the beginning of her two-hour set that she was going to take us on "a journey of my career," and she delivered. The show was big and busy, with three tiers of action provided by her talented band and four leggy dancers/background singers. The metallic set spit fire and gave off sparks, and split into sections for various production numbers. For the big finale, a huge catwalk rose from the stage and lifted Turner out above the crowd. She strutted and shimmied and waved hello to the sea of outstretched hands below and all around her.

The ageless Turner pumped and kicked and shook those famous legs, effortlessly keeping up with her sexy young dancers, who were about a third her age (she turned 60 in November).

The audience danced along with her, from the opening of "I Wanna Take You Higher" to the closer, "Nutbush City Limits." The place was jumping during "Addicted to Love," "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," "What's Love Got to Do With It" and especially the propulsive "Proud Mary," which she did, as always, both "nice and easy" and "nice and rough."

But it was the slower, more personal songs that showed that Turner not only hasn't lost any of her energy and drive but has actually improved, adding nuance and emotion that can only have come from experience. "Private Dancer" was more dramatic than ever, "Let's Stay Together" conveyed a real sense of need, and her version of the Beatles' "Help" turned it into an aching song of desire.

This may have been the last time the Northwest will see Tina Turner live. She says this is her last arena tour. If so, she left us with some great memories.

Smooth start with Lionel Richie

Lionel Richie helped make the show special with a smooth, entertaining performance that served to remind how many hits he has had as a solo artist and as a member of the Commodores. Returning to the stage after almost a decade, he and his tight band won over the crowd with a highly percussive, dance-oriented set. He hushed the hall with romantic ballads, and got laughs with jokes about his long absence. He even donned an Afro wig to spoof his Commodore years.

Janice Robinson, the talented, promising new recording star, represented the new generation of R&B singers with a short opening set. Unfortunately, many were still jamming the aisles looking for their seats while she performed.