| ed note: Re Videos of the second Indoor Garden Party show. I understand people were asked not to video the second show via signs at the door as they came in. Please not not send me any videos - your own or from YouTube. I will not post them on this site, nor offer any links to them. Thanks. - Reports, however, are VERY welcome. E mail me with yours |
From Gayle-Lynne: I walked to the customs /passport official August 3, 2011 and handed him the form on which was noted my stay in Canada would be 1 ½ days. He looked at that and said “only a day and a half?” Then he asked me” if I was there for business or pleasure. “ I told him “pleasure—I am attending a concert. “ He asked me which one –I told him it was the Russell Crowe/Alan Doyle concert. He smiled and said—oh yes—that should be a good one—but a hard to get ticket. “ I had just arrived in St. Johns , New Foundland, Canada. It had taken a bit of effort to get there. When the tickets went on sale earlier in the month of July –I called the box office 25 minutes too soon (darn 4 ½ hour time difference) and was told to call back. I did and never got through and could not get it on line. Though I had checked on line occasionally after that—I was resigned that I would be missing the concert. However about two weeks prior to the concert—I was reading some of the discussion of the upcoming concerts on Crowes Crossing – a discussion board community I have a affiliation with. One entry caught my eye. Someone was offering extra tickets for sale on behalf of local people who could no longer attend the concert. Since this person was a fellow Crowe fan and not a ticket scalper—I took the chance and contacted her. Then I had the angst of having my primary e-mail account down for awhile. Ultimately though –was able to make the arrangements with her, the airlines, get lodging –and so I was on my way. Fortunately I had not cancelled the time off for those days. When I arrived in St. John’s two of my friends (from Crowes Crossing) who were already there—Cat and Ro –were at the concert for that evening. When they returned Cat called me—and told me about the wonderful evening with the concert and seeing Russell and Dani afterwards. The next evening 8/4/11 ,we went together to the concert. The LSPU hall sits on the end of what looked like a residential street. It is at least 100 years old, and over the years has been used for a variety of purposes. Before the concert started I bought a CD of the Crowe- Doyle songbook 3 on sale in their lobby. Once the house was opened for the audience –I found my seat –it was located on the floor –far stage left. There was one more row in front of me. Behind me the seats rose—and on one side there was a balcony area. The stage itself was floor level. It was decorated with a large cloth on the back wall. On the stage floor, bushes were in place with fancy benches on three sides. It really looked like we were in a garden or a park. Closer to the audience there were amps and a keyboard which was stage right. Down near our seats –there was a exit door to right. The cloth was used to project some images during some of the songs. . This setting as far as I was concerned was ideal. Two local ladies sat on my right and they were local fans of Russell’s. They were unhappy that there was a row of seats in front of us. (These seats were for VIPS and other special guests) The ladies were not unhappy for long. Russell and Alan came out of that side door right in front of us. They went to the center of the stage and started talking with each other and with the audience. They were talking about various things , and they told us they were waiting for the show to start as well. It was quite enjoyable banter. Eventually Scott Grimes came out. Russell walked up the aisle next to me, into the middle of the audience, and Scott followed. Scott sang the American national anthem as if he was using a faulty PA System. It was funny, well done, and truthfully I did not find it disrespectful. Then Russell asked were there any Americans in the audience. I raised my arms (Like John Nash in ABM) and screamed yes. Scott then ran down to me – told me he wanted to hug me—I stood up—we hugged for awhile. He even got a kiss on the cheek. Then Russell made a comment about “Americans and then there are normal people.” I took it for the teasing which would mark the rest of the evening. They also sang a anthem for New Foundland—and all came together on the stage to sing “Oh Canada.” That was very popular with the local audience. After that Russell went to the door they had come out of and turned to one of the ladies to my right and asked her to answer the door when he knocked. Between that close encounter and the show so far—the ladies no longer complained. Later on he came back through another door and teased the lady he had spoken to about not answering his knock —but then told her anyone who had been in her seat that night would have been part of the gag. There were so many moments of humorous teasing between the performers and with us. When Dani first came out – after greeting Alan – she turned to Russell who introduced himself to her as “ Hello, I am Russell”. It got a laugh from the audience. Russell teased Alan about his innocent encounter with a hooker in King’s Cross a red light section of Sydney, Australia. ( I laughed a lot about that –as when I visited Sydney last Fall – our first hotel was near Kings Cross –and we walked from the train at Kings Cross to our hotel over the days were were there.) Before Dani came out—Alan gave a mock complaint to Russell of : Now we are going to sing yet another song about your wife? “ There were many other moments. Some were not always in good taste: One was when Russell was talking about a deceased friend and decided to do an imitation and asked us if this would be in bad taste—he then promptly went to lie down on his back like a corpse. Dani shook her head and told him “it was in bad taste. “ The audience loved it. (her reaction) Each performer had a chance for a solo. Kevin Durand did a very funny “Crazy Song”rap. Scott did a solo number which was so good, and he sang it so well—all of us – including Russell and Scott’s other friends gave him a standing and loud ovation. Dani as always was excellent. The two Irish gentlemen from Size 2 Shoes were very interesting. Besides song –they were capable of being their own musical instruments just with their voices. Russell’s solo later in the show was the only time he picked up a guitar. Besides the solo moments there were excellent moments of 2-3 voices or more singing together. For most of the songs. Alan played guitar. Scott and later Dani played Keyboards. After the National Anthems we heard familiar songs of “ Raewyn” and “Weight of A Man. “ We heard many of the songs from the new CD. I loved the “Killing Song. “Reminds me of something associated with Ben Wade. “ Queen Jane” a lovely folk type song about Queen Jane Seymour who died in childbirth. “Sadness of a Women” I really loved. Later in the show they did play “Hit the Ground and Run”. Last time I heard it live—it was at a Great Big Sea Concert. It was so much fun – at both concerts. I liked so many of the other songs. Mothers Cross sung by Alan was somber but beautiful for me. A very special moment occurred during one of the songs when Dani and Russell danced together in each others arms. It definitely appealed to our audience. I loved everything I heard for one reason or another. I loved the staging. I loved the songs in which more then one person sang together. I loved the fact that Dani is finally not just at a concert with Russell but sharing the music with him. I loved the humor. I really felt like all of us were sharing moments with those on stage in the middle of a garden. Some of that sharing was definitely experienced when the audience was involved in some of the songs—clapping hands, standing for some, etc: The conclusion and the bow the performers took was very very well received. I love it when the chemistry on stage clicks with the audience. I have to say that since Russell’s TOFOG days , I love the way his music has evolved. Although TOFOG music could appeal to all ages—I think the music now really does appeal across the board. It is more complex and yet in some ways simple. I love the way the voices mesh now. I think the writing partnership of Crowe and Doyle works very well. I also loved this concert for other reasons: 1: we could sit down –and stand only if we wanted to. 2: There was none of the seize and hold your position against any costs that was experienced at TOFOG concerts. No chance for the attitude that the spot you were in was your God given right. God help an intruder. So it was far more enjoyable. 3: No warm up act except the people you came to see. 4: you could see how close the friendship was between all the folks on stage. It was a good feeling and it made the music even more special. I wish every Crowe fan who wanted to be there could have been. This concert was so good and fun. The talent was evident. I know not everyone in the audience was a Crowe fan—but everyone in the audience seemed to have a fantastic time. I hope a similar format will be enjoyed in the future. Post Script: I did not get to see Russell and Dani after the show. I did have some things for them—but there will be another time. We did briefly see CGee. I flew from St. John’s in the fog, on the same plane , the next day to the USA, with Kevin Durand, Scott Grimes’ mom Pam, and Size 2 Shoes. We chatted at the airport and saw each other in passing on the plane. All in all 1 ½ days and the expense but all worth it. |
From CGee: Here’s all I can think of to write about the shows. More observations than anything else. ------------------------------------------------------ It’s a dreary, foggy morning here in St. John’s as we head home after a couple of great Garden Parties! I loved the concept, good friends sitting around, enjoying each other’s company and singing songs. The evening was just that; a mixture of funny and poignant stories, a bit of goofing around and a variety of great music! Here are some impressions from the concerts:
My song highlights:
I’m always intrigued to hear the genesis of a song, particularly if I’ve followed the singer/songwriter for a number of years. All the music in this songbook adds another piece to the puzzle of why Alan and Russell write the songs that they do. In writing about something meaningful there is such a better chance that it will resonate with the listener on any number of levels. What made these shows so much fun was the vibe of camaraderie and amity that you couldn’t help but feel between everyone on stage and equally obvious was the respect they had for each other’s musical talent. I’m sure making these shows happen with everything else going on in their lives was stressful but you would never have suspected it. The easy rapport between everyone on stage allowed the audience to feel that they were just part of their circle, sitting in a garden on a lovely night listening to friends play their music. |
From Ro - Part 1: Here's the first part of my report from St. John's. Hope you find it acceptable !! I arrived in St. John's about 1 pm on Wednesday. I grabbed a taxi and a short 15 minute trip later was neatly deposited at the Courtside Marriott, which had a fabulous view straight out the Narrows to the sea. Cat had gotten in the night before and was waiting for me in the lobby. I only had a thumbnail avatar pic to go by but recognized her immediately . We both screamed WaaaaaaaaaaaHHH and had a big hug ! We went upstairs so I could dump my suitcase. Our room faced the Narrows and we had a splendiferous view of the container pier and the fog blanketing the hills. St. John's is not a "glamourous" city but it was all good in our state of mind ! xxx |
Ro - Part 2: I have forgotten to mention that Size2Shoes came on earlier to sing an Irish lament in Gaelic. They said they first had met Russell when he came to Ireland with Alan for the Richard Harris statue unveiling. He asked for a choir and got them ! Interestingly they have just finished recording an album in New York, for which Russell was executive producer.They returned now to do another song .Alan performed His Mother's Cross, then Dani returned and did a solo at the keyboard; it was End of Story, from Calling All Magicians. Scottie and Kevin came on ; Scotty did a song from his album, "Clear to the Ocean", which Russell and Alan (I think) wrote for him. and earned a standing ovation. The others were sitting on park benches around the stage (which was NOT raised) . Scottie built up to a big high note - he nailed it and Russell and Kevin turned to each other and did a high five. Cute. She seems very fond of Alan and always watched him very intently for the song intros and guitar breaks . But Alan complained once to Russell " All these songs about Dani...How come we never do any songs about MY Missus?", and waggled his eyebrows - which he is VERY good at doing! All my best, |