Review: NYC Concert Part II

Posted by Dreamer

It definitely was an odd crowd. During the day, of the people I talked to, some were there for the speakers, some for Nanci, one couple did not even know why they were there. I wonder how many stayed for Chris.

I had planned to stay on Hersh's side, I figured that I would just stand until the signal to come forward. But nobody was standing on that side. I saw people standing off to the other side so I crossed over and stood just to the left of the stage in the wide walk area. Good choice, I could see the backstage area with a bunch of folks milling about. I saw the guys in their red suits and black shirts, but no Chris yet. Of course, the crew was setting up the stage area. Waiting, I checked out the crowd. Lots of folks but still rather intimate. Lots more guys than when I saw them last fall. Luckily, pretty mellow crowd considering that there was booze available. Mixed crowd age-wise, but not many kids. A girl about 10 sat up front near me, she figures later. There were a few very young security guys in front of the stage. About 7:30, the guys finally took the stage. I stood near Brett and Roly, who was wearing a tiki necklace. In a minute, I saw Chris backstage putting on his guitar; he was wearing the blue/purple starburst suit with a white cotton shirt and a ribbon tie. (Later he changed into the mirror suit.) Then the announcer was barely audible and Chris came on. He started Wanderin' and it sounded horrible, I was right next to the speakers, but somebody must have adjusted something because it got better.

After a couple of songs, Chris said that this is an intellectual crowd (referring to the earlier speakers). New York City is a religious town, laughter. That this was a benefit and about health and spirituality but that he would not stay with those lofty themes, or something like that. All leading up to the "trash for trash's sake" line. Code word Rumpelstiltzkin. After that the sequence is jumbled in my brain.

I was very self-conscious because I was the only one standing that close just off the stage. I couldn't understand why the other people were not coming forward. Where were the aggressive New Yorkers that I know and love? I did not stand there because I wanted the guys to see me although they could because it was still daylight. I moved there because I could, why not? I was not blocking the seated people. I was dancing just a little but could not wait for the okay to come forward so that everyone could really dance. My first and only previous show I had had front row seats, and because I did not know what to expect I ended up about fourth row standing. Which actually was okay with me because I was with a guy friend and when the front row gals starting groping C and H's thighs, I got kinda grossed-out. (Do they do that at a lot of shows?) This time, I intended to be in the front, but not to grope, promise.

He finally called us up after WG, about the eighth song; is that usual? I would have bet that in NJ he signaled after the fourth song. I remember standing for WG then because I almost lost my equilibrium during the last "No IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII" and I said "wow" in my head but it came out loud. I only remember this because I came out of my trance when my friend laughed. Maybe he did make the call earlier then because the hall is also used for the opera and ballet and has kind of a sophisticated aura about it, slightly unsuitable for a trashy rock concert. Anyway, the folks had been politely sitting in their seats until the call and then everyone ran down front and in the aisles and rocked for the rest of the concert. I guess we needed permission to misbehave.

This time, I found a spot right in front of R. I was standing next to an adorable security guy that looked about 12 and was about my height, about 5'8''. I guess they really did not expect trouble because the other guys were not much bigger. BTW, the young girl snagged front and center, good for her.

The crowd was pretty well behaved and there was enough room to really dance. Alot of guys came forward too, which was cool because last time it was almost all women in the front. I noticed that throughout the concert the guys were really into it and I don�t even think that they were gay. (That was a lousy attempt at humor.) And I did not notice any groping this time.

The jokes�
The crowd had to say who was in a committed relationship so that C could ignore them later.
Local boy H and the go-go bar.
The Ford Probe, C says "Hey I thought Chevy Cavalier was paying for this", K says he no longer has the Ford.
H's wandering mole, this time the prize is an hour of aromatherapy from R.
How important relationships are; feminism is just the strange idea that women are people too; he is not afraid to buy scented candles or rent "Steel Magnolias", whatever works.
The guys should take responsibility for relationship problems, get on their knees and spend some quality time down there.
The poodle hairs and BDABBT.
Someone in the crowd needed saving because he smelled burnt rope in that direction and the Reverend/Bishop KDJ is the guy to do it.
H is a cross-dresser and C is chased him trying to get him to kiss him, "Give me some sugar."
The rest snuck off stage during H's solo. He stood right in front of me for a good part of it and sounded outstanding. I took a picture of "the working-hard face", I hope it comes out. He was on the other side when they all came out and K helped him play the guitar with the drumsticks.
C and B switched instruments and B really got into a really bad Chuck Berry imitation.
The roadie chased C with the harmonica.
The spit shower on his face.

They sounded great and seemed happy to be there. I watched the guys as C said each punch line and they genuinely laughed, maybe they each have a future in acting? Or I watched C at the punch line when he would grin so wide that his cheeks became parentheses. Lots of energy, running around the stage, swinging the guitars in unison, C and R each jumped up and down from K's drums. At one point, R jumps about 6 feet in the air. How old is he anyway?

Near the end, C said that security has warned him that they must close the park soon, but the now Fez-topped H has higher authority than the police, so they'll play on. I yelled put on your badge, but either he ignored me, did not know what I was talking about, or did not hear me. I meant from Blue Ridge Fall, of course.

I forgot, earlier C said that he does not usually do this, but he wanted to dedicate the next song to Carole. Many in the crowd yelled out teasingly "Who's Carole?" Then he sang Forever Blue. The benefit was for cancer research so I guess he could not help but think of her; he still has "I Love Carole" on his guitar.

C never left the stage during Bonny Bee. Two young ladies came on from the side and dance with and then in front of R. They did pretty well, but this guy behind me yelled, "You stink." Could have been worse, I know but this is the same guy who had been yelling sporadically throughout the concert "Huhhhh" that way that C does in some songs. I turned around and gave him a look. Did not bother him because he said, "you stink", several more times, not to me I think. Then C put a hand out to the young girl and someone boosted her up; she looked so embarrassed. C tried to get her to dance and she did a little, then he went back to the mike and she stood there sort of lost. But one of the ladies grabbed her hand and made her dance with them, nice. Someone put a smaller boy up and C said "something for the ladies". The boy turned red but grinned and danced his heart out. I saw him later with K's drumsticks, cool. R put his bass around the girl for the bow and she had a painful expression as she faced her mom and dad who were probably trying to take her picture, but I could not see them.

I met two nice women while dancing in front of the stage who were also from NJ. They had gone to both the NJ and NYC shows last fall and would be going to AC next Friday. Anyway, I was yapping again and did not think to ask for a play list until too late. I had already bought the shorts so I waited to see where the signing line would be. It turned out that there was one line and he would only sign for 15 minutes and everyone else, forget it. This is when my New Yorkers finally showed up. One guy was yelling curses. Another said "C is okay, but you guys s@#$." C was behind a barricade in front of the merch table. Then he walked out from the barricade to take some pictures and the security guys held hands around him, ring-around-the-rosy anyone? I figured that I better get aggressive or else. So I kept pestering "Can I get one?" I think it was the road manager that took pictures if you needed help. I finally got my chance and handed him my camera. C put his arm around me, I don't think that I looked at him and I said, "I'll see you next Friday." The flash did not go off, so I said, "please one more", to the RM. Then I said something like "this is why you get the big bucks." He said, " yeah I get paid by the picture." So I said, "who counts the pictures, he's not good in math." Where did that come from? What a doofus! Anyway I got my camera back and C gave me the infamous look and said, "Thank you for coming." It was over. I definitely misused my eight seconds. Oh well. I hope I get another chance on Friday.

The security guys were really pushing us out then, but I managed to get a picture of H and tell him that I would see him Friday. I also shook K's hand and said, "Good show."

I talked to the Jersey girls again and may hook up with them in AC. CI&S fans are definitely a bunch of sweeties! Then I was walking back to my car when I starting talking to a fortyish couple from Connecticut. They wanted to get something to eat so I pointed them in the right direction. I walked with them a few blocks and started talking about CI, natch. They had all of his albums but did not know much about him. How old is he anyway? 42. Looks good for 42. His touring schedule, etc. They said they told people they were coming to the concert and those people said "Who?" And the guy had the same reaction as some of the more selfish BHers and SFDers, namely "GOOD!" At one point, the woman said, "you know everything." I chuckled to myself that in a few short months at the BH and SFD I have become an expert on all things CI&S, hardly.

This was a great time. It was the first time that I went to a concert alone even at my advanced age. I've done lots of things alone. Some things I prefer alone. Museums, definitely. Esoteric movies, I hate worrying if the other person is going to like it. Serious shopping, when you have to get it done. You get the idea. But today has confirmed that you can sometimes meet more people when you are alone. Even for a normally shy person like me.

I finally got home and to my surprise the mail contained a videotape from one of my new friends of CI's appearance on SNL from 91? He sang WG and Diddley Daddy. I had to laugh because they still do the same moves for DD. It got me thinking, does he do other things the same way all the time? Know what I mean? Sorry, I guess CI trash talk is contagious.

I hope this did not bore too much. And now I can get digital pix in addition to regular developing so if any come out great, I'll try to post them.

Oh and here's the set list, but not in this order.

Wanderin'
Please
Walk Slow
SOTD
I'm Not Sleepy
SM2000
Blue Hotel
Wild Love
Wicked Game
Diddley Daddy
BDABBT
Somebody's Cryin'
Forever Blue
SFD (Big Apple Days, Nights)
Dancin'
Return to Me
Only the Lonely
Wine, Wine, Wine
Don't You think Its Time
Bonny Bee

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