Review: Hanson's return to Mayfest packed with emotion
By MATT GLEASON World Scene Writer
5/21/2005

Ever since "MMMBop" whisked the Hanson brothers away from Tulsa back in '97, Isaac, Taylor and Zac have just about worn a wide-grooved path in the Earth itself seeing how they've gone 'round and 'round and 'round the globe so many times.

The deepest groove, though, has always led back to the place it all began. This town. Their town. And this year it led them to Mayfest, where the brothers wowed thousands of fans Friday night on the outdoor Tulsa World Spot stage.

It was the brothers' homecoming and they were the most popular kids at the wild shindig. And on stage, Taylor looked every bit the teenage heartthrob. The married father of two wore a small, white T-shirt, a la Marlon Brando, and blue jeans that were tight; I mean Robert Plant tight.

Together, the brothers put on an almost-two-hour show that rocked and popped like it should, thanks in part to Isaac's firebrand guitar heroics and Taylor's expressive and longing vocals.

When it was time to slow things down, Zac or Taylor would slip behind the piano and play an emotional ballad that could break your heart like only the words "I don't love you" can.

A highlight of the show for many

was probably seeing local rock legend Leon Russell and the Tractors' Steve Ripley get down with the brothers on a cover of "Tulsa Time."

Needless to say, Hanson wasn't this good 13 years ago when they played Mayfest for the first time.

The year was 1992 and they were just little boys singing sweet melodies before relatively small crowds and getting by on the cuteness of their cover songs -- "Rockin' Robin," "Splish Splash" -- and, of course, the cuteness of their faces.

In 1996, the boys played Mayfest one more time before proceeding to their rightful place as international superstars.

During their triumphant return to Mayfest this year, the Hansons were polished and professional -- plus they didn't have to rely on the cheesy covers of yore. However, that doesn't mean they weren't up for kicking off the show with a mesmerizing cover of Radiohead's "Optimistic," or slinging out a hot version of Steppenwolf's "Magic Carpet Ride."

It was all almost too much for some in the crowd (the most frenzied were easy to pick out, given they were the ones screaming their ever-loving heads off). It seemed like their fervor grew steadily throughout the concert, as if Taylor himself had secretly whispered in their ears that he wanted them to hop up on stage with him and sing "MMMBop" at the top of their lungs.

Taylor is that kind of guy. He's genuinely a sweet-hearted fella. At this time in his career he's heard every permutation of "I LOVE YOU, TAYLOR" and seen every manner of zealous fan, but, nonetheless, Taylor seemed to genuinely love seeing all the adoring faces in the mass of humanity gathered Friday night to see him sing.

Of course, there were probably Hanson doubters in that throbbing crowd who have long since relegated Hanson to the one-hit wonder bargain bin. For them, a funnel cake might have been better than seeing Taylor and his brothers give it their all. For most, though, including myself, seeing Hanson is better than a powdery confection any day of the week.



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Matt Gleason 581-8473
matt.gleason@tulsaworld.com