Pop Music Reviews : Milsap the Anti-Hank Crosses Way Over

It’s obviously a country show when the song titles are as long as “Are You Lovin’ Me LikeI’m Lovin’ You” and “What a Difference You’ve Made in My Life.” And it is even more obviously a Ronnie Milsap show when the pat, medley-ized versions of such songs are scarcely longer than their titles.

Even in such skimpy portions as Milsap was vending at the Crazy Horse in Santa Ana on Monday, many of his syrupy musical sno-cones melted to goop long before they were finished. The veteran singer-pianist is practically the anti-Hank, making country music cross over so far that he can more easily be likened to Lionel Richie than to anyone with a twang in his heart.

Milsap has a fine, wide-ranged voice that might be an expressive marvel if he ever connected with a real emotion. All he gave Monday was a rote, frictionless hour of hits, oldies and time-worn jokes.

Instead of delving into his new album--on which he even essays a John Hiatt song--Milsap (who plays the Roxy on March 28) concluded his performance with the same tired medley of piano-based rock oldies he’s used for years.