Review: NYC Concert Part I

Posted by Dreamer

Some of you may know that last fall was my first CI&S concert. A couple of months ago, I'd heard that he would be playing in Atlantic City in June. AC is about a 2 1/2 hour drive from me. I ordered a ticket not really knowing if I would be able to go. My dad's been very sick and I do not plan anything very far in advance now, especially something that would take me out-of-town overnight. Also, no one wanted to go with me. Anyone who could go, did not want to. Also, most of my friends' lives are too crazy to plan anything that far in advance either; kids, careers, etc. interfere with one's playtime. But I had had such a good time and this would be the only concert this summer that was remotely close.

Then I heard about the NYC show for 6/5. I was happy for another show but had I known about this one, I would not have ordered the AC ticket. NYC is about 15 minutes from me during non-rush hour, which is about 2AM. Regardless, it is much easier to get to than AC. And I rarely go to AC except once in awhile I'll give Mom a thrill and take her so she can play the slots and maybe catch a show like Paul Anka or Tom Jones. Don't laugh, I like them, too. I don't gamble except maybe the lottery if it gets too high to resist. Not morally against it, it just bores me.

I had already bought a ticket for a two-day music festival on 6/5-6, so I had to decide if I wanted to give up Dr. John, The Temptations and others to see CI&S for a second time in one week. Tough choice, but I chose CI&S. Maybe the Fates wanted me to be a true groupie; I do not think that I have seen a group more than once in a week since The Who many, many years ago and believe me, I was a Who freak.

Unfortunately, no one that was going to the festival wanted to come with me, especially since most of the day was the health stuff. Strangely enough a friend had a ticket for me for Santana on Friday night but the venue is an hour away and I already had two all-day things for the weekend. I would have been toast. Always feast or famine, I guess. I only mentioned this because it figures later.

Saturday's concert was a benefit for the GM (and others) sponsored Concept: Cure (for breast cancer). The music was to start after 5:00 PM, there were speakers starting at 2:00 PM. It was also sponsored by SELF magazine and was publicized as MIND, BODY AND SELF. The speakers included: Bob Greene of Oprah's "Make the Connection" fame; and Barbara DeAngelis, the relationship expert; and others that I had not heard of.

Summerstage is outdoors, near an East Side entrance to Central Park. Luckily, it was a gorgeous day. When I got there about 2, there was a small line and I began to chat with some of the folks. Two women were there for the speakers, did not know CI or Nanci Griffith. A guy behind me vaguely knew who CI was but said NG was good. Thankfully, a few women behind him were there for Chris. This would be an eclectic crowd. And there were still tickets available, I do not know if they eventually went.

Beyond the ticket collector was a nice spot with some benches and an area to walk through the park for a bit. Up a few steps to the enclosed area. As you walked in and at the other end, (think end zones) were tables set up with food and drink, sponsors' stuff - some free, free manicures, not free massages and at the far end, a tent where they gave Yoga instruction. Oh and a silver Chevy Cavalier convertible was near the entrance. In the middle is a grass-like carpet, smaller than a football field, I think, hard to tell without the yard lines. There are about 12 rows of bleachers set up all along the long end and the stage is centered opposite. To the right of the stage was a roped off VIP area with tables and chairs and to the left was a few trailer-like buildings (CI's merchandise table was in front of these). In front of the stage were a wide walk area and then about 400 folding chairs. On either side was open grass-carpet. I had bought the 'best' seats from TM, but they were in the bleachers way in the back. Forget that. Luckily they were only $3 more than general admission. But for a mere $25, I should not complain; I'd paid twice that for the AC show.

Bob Greene was already speaking when I got in so I sat down in the chair area. There were probably about 50 people in the audience, kinda disappointing. If you do not know the name he is the one who trained Oprah when she lost all the weight the last time and she co-wrote his first book. I've read it and just started his latest recently. Later I heard that she was supposed to come but since she has gained back most of the weight, would not be such a great spokesperson. He talked for awhile about motivation being the most important thing for any kind of success. Later he was to talk individually but there was a small turnout and he did not hang around long. I caught him walking around later, shook his hand and told him that I liked his book.

During a break I went over to the merchandise table. I checked out the stuff for a later purchase. I told one of the guys that I had seen CI&S last fall in NJ. He complimented the place; I was kind of surprised that he remembered it because they go to so many. Then I asked him to tell the boys to be good because I had given up Dr. John tickets for this. Deadpan he said, "they'll be good". Gee! Maybe, it was me, who knows! Later I bought the devil boxers.

The next speaker talked about spirituality, prayer, good intention, etc. A little new-agey but okay.

I did not hear the next speaker because I was busy yapping away with the 2 women I met on line. They were both into this stuff; one was a physical therapist. I started a pseudo-vegetarian diet a couple months ago. I am trying to get back to fighting weight. Also trying to get back into yoga and serious exercise. Anyway we had a pretty cool conversation about a thousand things.

The next speaker was DeAngelis. I had no desire to listen to a relationship expert who has been married like 12 times, so I got something to eat and sat in the shady area outside the "stadium". I was out there awhile when I saw Kenny and a red-haired woman walking by me. I yelled "Hey Kenny, give a good show". Then "I gave up Dr. John tickets for this." He said something like "good deal". Was I rude to bug him in his free time; I hope not.

It was finally starting to get crowded with lots of people with beach chairs and blankets on the carpet. Nanci Griffith started about 5:50. She's not really my cup of tea so I stayed off to the side where I could still hear her and watched the goings-on. The massage table was out in the open. At one point there was a guy on the table and the masseuse was standing on the table and using her hands to walking up his back, know what I mean? Then she puts a knee on each butt-cheek and uses her elbows to knead his back. I think, I could have been paid for that? Be polite, do not ask! I saw Hersh and another guy walking around and then Kenney and the redhead walking around again. I finally decided to check out Nanci and stood off to the side of the grass-carpet. She was very mellow. At one point a guy yelled out "Chris Isaak"; I hate when people do that. Poor thing, she said that he would be out soon. To me, nobody really got into her until she did "If I had a hammer" and a Buddy Holly song. Then she was done about 6:50. A lot of the couples with babies crowd left. Chris was to start at 7:15.

Part II...

Back to Reviews