Mr. Big makes a hit with local fans

JAKARTA (JP): Some 3,000 people, mostly young soft rock fans, gave a hysterical welcome to Mr. Big who performed here Monday evening at the Jakarta Convention Center.

The group, on its world tour to promote their latest album, Hey Man!, started loud and colorful and remained so for the rest of the concert, twenty bumptious songs in all.

Consisting of four members, Eric Martin (lead vocal), Paul Gilbert (lead guitar), Billy Sheehan (bass) and Pat Torpey (drums), Mr. Big opened with Trapped in Toyland from the new album, their sixth, but probably not their last.

Their first one was released in 1989. Soon, Mr. Big attracted the attention of soft rockers with its ballad Anything for you.

In 1991 the second album, Lean into it hit the market, earning them world-wide popularity with such hits as To be with you, Just take my heart and Green tinted sixties mind.

In 1993 they released their fourth album, Bump Ahead, after a Live Concert Album in San Francisco. Again, they confirmed their preeminence in soft rock with their hits Nothing but love and their version of Cat Steven's Wild World. Their fifth album, Japan Demonium, was recorded during a live concert in Japan.

Mr. Big's strength lies in its members' perfect coordination, from Gilbert's amazing skill, Sheehan's foundation, Torpey's beat (especially on the old Beatles' hit Yesterday), and the hyper- active vocalist Martin, whose voice is the band's trademark.

-- Poppy Senduk