Corporate sponsorship has its perks as evidenced by Keith Urban's intimate acoustic performance this past weekend in Chicago. Verizon Wireless and Samsung Mobile sponsored part of Keith Urban's recently completed tour and back in March, Urban kicked it all off with an intimate full band performance for a few hundred fans at Joe's on Weed Street in Chicago. He brought the tour full circle with a one-off acoustic/ Q&A performance for a mere 300-fans once again at Joe's. The crowd, which consisted of radio station and Verizon store winners proved to be brief, but perfectly poised. Keith Urban took to the stage in boots, jeans and a short-sleeved collared shirt with a disarming smile. As he sat on a stool with nothing other than an acoustic guitar, a fan called out for "Days Go By" and Urban graciously obliged with a concentrated and dynamic performance. Despite the bare bones performance, Urban wields his magnetism. "Days Go By" was as enlivening as it was in the summer of '08 in Soldier Field. Up next was "I'm In", the penultimate track from his latest album, Defying Gravity, a record with more misses than hits, but in its bare bones arrangement, it revealed layers not on the studio track. In fact, I will be revisiting the album as a result of this performance. This is a case where the layered production led the song down the wrong path. Urban's vocal was unadorned and as the crowd sung along. In between songs, Urban took questions from the largely female crowd with a charming smile and he graciously even offered autographs. He is in the midst of beginning to write for his next studio record which he informed the crowd he hopes to move into full gear in 2010. He did not offer a time table for completion, but considering he just finished a tour, it is good to hear he has begun the writing process already.

For the remainder of the performance, Urban blew any preconceived notions out of the water. As he performed "Kiss the Girl" with a sea of voices in support, he let his talent come to the forefront. There was pure joy in his performance. One of the better questions came when he was asked about the biggest surprise on the tour and he referenced when Taylor Swift and three members of her band dressed in full KISS regalia and came on-stage to surprise him during "Kiss the Girl", Urban admitted "I thought it really was KISS because the make-up was spot on". A fan called out for "Jeans On" and Urban once again immediately surged into the Golden Road album cut in a fun off-the-cuff performance.

The afternoon's final performance, "Stupid Boy" closed the all too brief acoustic set with a pulverizing performance. Despite not having written the song, you can hear the vulnerability in Urban's vocal performance. You feel ache in his third-person brooding delivery. As he closed his eyes, he transported himself and all 300 fans in attendance for the most affecting performance of the day. Every American Idol performer could learn from this performance. Nothing about it was over-the-top, yet with an impassioned vocal and an acoustic guitar, he left a overwhelming impression no one will soon forget. It's almost impossible to believe he didn't write it. Most people think singing is about technique, but Urban proved it's all about pulling from your inner emotions.

Despite being an invitation only performance, it didn't feel that way. It was a enjoyable afternoon where fans were able to see one of the great live performers of our time do a rare and revealing acoustic set. Urban transcended the event by not merely performing, but by going the extra mile and sharing a part of himself in his performances (specifically on "Stupid Boy"). Not every musician can balance performing to tens of thousands of people and be able to make that same connection in a club. Urban has proven himself in the last eighteen-months to have the good to challenge a stadium, connect with an arena and provide the intimacy needed for a club. As always, Urban delivers in any live environment. Keith Urban the celebrity took a back-seat to Keith Urban the musician proving there is more than meets the eye.

Anthony Kuzminski is a Chicago based writer and Special Features Editor for the antiMusic Network and his daily writings can be read at The Screen Door and can be contacted at thescreendoor AT gmail DOT com