The alarm on my phone pulled me out of my mutative spot. I was still dog tired but my excitement was rising. I knew nothing about Barbara B. Mann. I prayed that the hall would not be disappointing, and pulled myself out of he car. Check the mirror one last time and me and my emerald green shoes hit the pavement towards the lobby.
Lisa Lady was back in front. Refreshed after their dinner and stoked because she had been anointed by Smitty with 2 golden tickets. She and her daughter would be moving up in the world. My Lisa lady has been going through some school of hard knock times with her heart, and I knew this would open the door for some healing through music moments. Not to mention the optimal viewing zone.
Moved though the crowds and put a call out to Milfy to see where she was in the world of massage therapy back stage and waited for her to call me back so I could give her a ticket. Finally moments before curtain on the opener she chimed in that it would probably be around the time Tori took the stage, that we could swap out front or she would make her way to the seat from the front of the house so I continued on to my seats, row 6 just to the right of center.
Yoav was the opener, whom I knew little about other than the few things I read on his my space. I never previewed the music because I didn’t want to ruin or jade the first performance. We had briefly met him earlier in the parking lot unloading his Mini Van, I know he had a beautiful accent. On the stage h was a lone white figure adorned in a Pink Floyd Prism and Jeans, a guitar amp and footboard his only companions. I knew this was either going to be amazing or forgettable. The bravado it must take to stand alone with a guitar in front of people who were their to see Tori. When he began to play the voices thundering in conversation slowly faded away and were captured and entranced by his playing. If he was nervous you could not tell. He was with a long time friend and companion, he was not alone his friends were the music and the familiar guitar in his hand. His music was eclectic, and as otherworldly as his well traveled brief biography. Beats laid down and tracked, each layer building into the moment when the song unleashed. The guitar became a rhythm section, a voice modification device….. Their was intensity and resonance in his voice that seemed to defy his living years.
He only gave 5 songs, but the five songs left me wanting for more. I knew I would look forward to hearing him the rest of the tour. The only problem I was having musically was the hall itself. While Yoav’s performance was stunning, the hall had some deadness to it and their was a slight backing off the far wall making things sound a little disorienting at times. I hoped the problem did not become worse when the stage was taken by a piano to guitars and a drum set.
After Yoav closed down the lights came on and the masses flooded back into the halls for the break before the Dish of the night was served. Again I wondered who would open the show. I ruled out Pip by logic of the Orlando show that I had missed. Ft. Myers didn’t feel like a pip city. My guess was Isabel, followed by a close second on Clyde. This city had a laid back feel, not the space for the Flash and Glitz of Santa, or the rebellion bondage of Pip….
The lights dimmed the five minute warning and still no signs of Milfy so I slowly meandered back to my seat and waited for the main event to begin. Milfy came up through the front while the band started to play and slid into place beside me. The length of the day looked equally worn on her face, but like mine her eyes were glowing in anticipation. I almost turned to ask if she had a clue as to which doll it would be, but the hint of a song in the segue answered for me…. Moments later in a Sea of Smoke Isabel took the stage holding a cigarette which she puffed with great labor exhaling as she sauntered her way over to the Bo. Blood red back drop behind her as the seed of Yo George became more obvious to the crowd. Politics were tonight’s dish. I became immediately entrances by the character in her bright impressionistic dress, and mallard green shoes. I remember wondering if it was the same stunning green stiletto’s from the Welcome to Sunny Florida DVD. Had Tori loaned them out for a bit of Florida luck? After my intrigue with the shoe’s faded I started to notice the brilliant lighting sending the stage around her in every shad imaginable. Red’s, blues, purples, olives, and Topaz…he song continued with a drag of the ciggaret between lines, smoke continuing to waif and envelop her. The lighting technicians deserved a well rounded applause for setting such a beautiful backdrop.
Yo George emptied into a surprising rendition of ,Mountain , the another surprise with Sweet Dreams then Sweet Sangria and another highlighting moment with In the Springtime of his Voodoo which was charged and full of energy.. Tombigbee Scarlet’s Walk which was beautiful to hear again live, rounded out Isabel’s set. Only one prop beyond the cigarette was used, a lantern swung between the spread of two pianos dangling from the maestros hands. Isabel’s set was beautiful, maybe standard from the eyes of hose who have closely followed the sets, but then that’s why I try not to follow the sets. Less focus on disappointment, and ultimate focus on the music as a diamond in the rough. Isabel was all business focused on the piano and the music around her, she didn’t look towards the audience much. As sad as I was to se Isabel go, I hungrily awaited for Tori o take her place in front of the sacred piano.
The segue during costume change was Professional Widow which allowed the boys in the band to show off some of their Improve skills. Jon and Mat are a staple for many of us, bu it was nice to get to know Dan Phelps’s and how h added flavor to the ensemble. I must say I was incredibly amazed. He’s quite the baby face in the ensemble but what he lack up for in years he makes up for in skill. The window had the crowd bouncing before Tori appeared all sequin and flaming red hair.
Big wheel began to unfold out of professional widow and a clapping almost puppet like tori chimed a clapping sequence the crowd willingly carried on for her. The Energy of Big Wheel burst upon the venue, again I was bothered by the back echo which I tried to put out of my mind.
Big whewl was followed Pancake, and then an amazing performance of Tear In Your Hand Cornflake Girl ,Amber Waves was stunning and their was funk and fire in Glory of the 80s .
The band departed the stage and T & Bö began all dusk with its Smokey gray and black fade, T & Bö in white lights in the hanging moss like drapes above the pianos.
Seaside was stunning, for the first time all night I loss the back echo off the guitar and drums and it was all T and Piano. Seaside was followed by Silent All These Years another early T beauty. The piano alone sounded lovely in the hall, and you could have heard a pin drop in my section of the world.
The band rejoined T on stage and the show picked up where it left off. On its whimsical thread of depth and music. When Suede began I also died inside. Sued was followed by Black Dove (January) from choirgirl which dumped perfectly into the erotic and intoxicating live version of Code Red one of the first songs on ADP I just couldn’t get out of my mind.
Tori and band departed after Cod Red to a roar of thunder and excitement. We waitined kindly and anxiously for the encores to begin.
First Encore. Precious Things thundered back in the intensity of the night and landed on a sorta fairytale. Again we were left, those of us seasoned knowing their was still one more encore to go before the night faded to a memorable close.
The Second Encore brought out some standards in Bouncing Off Clouds, which immediately made me think of Resse and his journey here to see his girl, the crowd was bouncing along with the poppy vibe of the song, and then the close with another old friend Hey Jupiter in which the visibly result of a well cared for voice and a long tour were apparent as the high notes launched out into the hall like butter on toast.
As Tori left the stage touching the brief few who got their hands into precarious reach, the lights came on and people stumbled back into reality.
While this was not one of my all time shows, the repertoire was sunning. The musicianship all around was amazing. This is a tight group who seem to understand one another in a way that many of us can’t say of our lovers, mothers, brothers, husbands or wives.
The venue hands down was the disappointment of the night. While I think it would be a stunning showcase for a Piano only Tour, the interference of the band and the reverb and back echo were enough to drive my ears at times to excruciating displeasure. For those who didn’t take the risk on the drive, I’d say they missed a good line up but a bad hall. With the induction of the Leg’s and Boots they would have saved money just buying the show, which hopefully will be a little more tightened from point of recoding vs. point of given seat in venue. This is not a hall I’d revisit or recommend in the future. I was not impressed.
I waited outside as Milfy loaded her last few items, Found Resse and handed off his bags so he could take on his next adventure in Florida, and Milfy and we headed out watching the mass’s line up for a “after show met and greet” for which the likes I was to tired and to road ahead weary to partake of. Milfy had no ticket for Melbourne, but had been invited back for the next show to continue her work backstage, so we made our way back to 1-75 for the long drive home.
Again I mulled through the lost highway-esqu landscape that humidity and lowering temperature brings to the interstate. The relief of finally hitting 1-4 and knowing my weary eyes only had two more hours till the could nap on a nice soft pillow.
We arrived in Brevard at about 3am Sunday. Milfy had to be at the King Center at 9am, Misty was to direct her in so that I could nab a little more shut eye before my next adventure would begin.
I feel into slumber quickly, exhaustion and excitement overtaking me as my delta sleep system called me further and further away from the land of the alert. The sleep was a welcome reprieve from a day of one to many roads, and a whole lot of music.
--
Our treasure lies in the beehive of our knowledge. We are perpetually on the way thither, being by nature winged insects and honey gatherers of the mind". -Friedrich Nietzsche
Ft Myers Isabel opens Barbar B Mann
The alarm on my phone pulled me out of my mutative spot. I was still dog tired but my excitement was rising. I knew nothing about Barbara B. Mann. I prayed that the hall would not be disappointing, and pulled myself out of he car. Check the mirror one last time and me and my emerald green shoes hit the pavement towards the lobby.
Lisa Lady was back in front. Refreshed after their dinner and stoked because she had been anointed by Smitty with 2 golden tickets. She and her daughter would be moving up in the world. My Lisa lady has been going through some school of hard knock times with her heart, and I knew this would open the door for some healing through music moments. Not to mention the optimal viewing zone.
Moved though the crowds and put a call out to Milfy to see where she was in the world of massage therapy back stage and waited for her to call me back so I could give her a ticket. Finally moments before curtain on the opener she chimed in that it would probably be around the time Tori took the stage, that we could swap out front or she would make her way to the seat from the front of the house so I continued on to my seats, row 6 just to the right of center.
Yoav was the opener, whom I knew little about other than the few things I read on his my space. I never previewed the music because I didn’t want to ruin or jade the first performance. We had briefly met him earlier in the parking lot unloading his Mini Van, I know he had a beautiful accent. On the stage h was a lone white figure adorned in a Pink Floyd Prism and Jeans, a guitar amp and footboard his only companions. I knew this was either going to be amazing or forgettable. The bravado it must take to stand alone with a guitar in front of people who were their to see Tori. When he began to play the voices thundering in conversation slowly faded away and were captured and entranced by his playing. If he was nervous you could not tell. He was with a long time friend and companion, he was not alone his friends were the music and the familiar guitar in his hand. His music was eclectic, and as otherworldly as his well traveled brief biography. Beats laid down and tracked, each layer building into the moment when the song unleashed. The guitar became a rhythm section, a voice modification device….. Their was intensity and resonance in his voice that seemed to defy his living years.
He only gave 5 songs, but the five songs left me wanting for more. I knew I would look forward to hearing him the rest of the tour. The only problem I was having musically was the hall itself. While Yoav’s performance was stunning, the hall had some deadness to it and their was a slight backing off the far wall making things sound a little disorienting at times. I hoped the problem did not become worse when the stage was taken by a piano to guitars and a drum set.
After Yoav closed down the lights came on and the masses flooded back into the halls for the break before the Dish of the night was served. Again I wondered who would open the show. I ruled out Pip by logic of the Orlando show that I had missed. Ft. Myers didn’t feel like a pip city. My guess was Isabel, followed by a close second on Clyde. This city had a laid back feel, not the space for the Flash and Glitz of Santa, or the rebellion bondage of Pip….
The lights dimmed the five minute warning and still no signs of Milfy so I slowly meandered back to my seat and waited for the main event to begin. Milfy came up through the front while the band started to play and slid into place beside me. The length of the day looked equally worn on her face, but like mine her eyes were glowing in anticipation. I almost turned to ask if she had a clue as to which doll it would be, but the hint of a song in the segue answered for me…. Moments later in a Sea of Smoke Isabel took the stage holding a cigarette which she puffed with great labor exhaling as she sauntered her way over to the Bo. Blood red back drop behind her as the seed of Yo George became more obvious to the crowd. Politics were tonight’s dish. I became immediately entrances by the character in her bright impressionistic dress, and mallard green shoes. I remember wondering if it was the same stunning green stiletto’s from the Welcome to Sunny Florida DVD. Had Tori loaned them out for a bit of Florida luck? After my intrigue with the shoe’s faded I started to notice the brilliant lighting sending the stage around her in every shad imaginable. Red’s, blues, purples, olives, and Topaz…he song continued with a drag of the ciggaret between lines, smoke continuing to waif and envelop her. The lighting technicians deserved a well rounded applause for setting such a beautiful backdrop.
Yo George emptied into a surprising rendition of ,Mountain , the another surprise with Sweet Dreams then Sweet Sangria and another highlighting moment with In the Springtime of his Voodoo which was charged and full of energy.. Tombigbee Scarlet’s Walk which was beautiful to hear again live, rounded out Isabel’s set. Only one prop beyond the cigarette was used, a lantern swung between the spread of two pianos dangling from the maestros hands. Isabel’s set was beautiful, maybe standard from the eyes of hose who have closely followed the sets, but then that’s why I try not to follow the sets. Less focus on disappointment, and ultimate focus on the music as a diamond in the rough. Isabel was all business focused on the piano and the music around her, she didn’t look towards the audience much. As sad as I was to se Isabel go, I hungrily awaited for Tori o take her place in front of the sacred piano.
The segue during costume change was Professional Widow which allowed the boys in the band to show off some of their Improve skills. Jon and Mat are a staple for many of us, bu it was nice to get to know Dan Phelps’s and how h added flavor to the ensemble. I must say I was incredibly amazed. He’s quite the baby face in the ensemble but what he lack up for in years he makes up for in skill. The window had the crowd bouncing before Tori appeared all sequin and flaming red hair.
Big wheel began to unfold out of professional widow and a clapping almost puppet like tori chimed a clapping sequence the crowd willingly carried on for her. The Energy of Big Wheel burst upon the venue, again I was bothered by the back echo which I tried to put out of my mind.
Big whewl was followed Pancake, and then an amazing performance of Tear In Your Hand Cornflake Girl ,Amber Waves was stunning and their was funk and fire in Glory of the 80s .
The band departed the stage and T & Bö began all dusk with its Smokey gray and black fade, T & Bö in white lights in the hanging moss like drapes above the pianos.
Seaside was stunning, for the first time all night I loss the back echo off the guitar and drums and it was all T and Piano. Seaside was followed by Silent All These Years another early T beauty. The piano alone sounded lovely in the hall, and you could have heard a pin drop in my section of the world.
The band rejoined T on stage and the show picked up where it left off. On its whimsical thread of depth and music. When Suede began I also died inside. Sued was followed by Black Dove (January) from choirgirl which dumped perfectly into the erotic and intoxicating live version of Code Red one of the first songs on ADP I just couldn’t get out of my mind.
Tori and band departed after Cod Red to a roar of thunder and excitement. We waitined kindly and anxiously for the encores to begin.
First Encore. Precious Things thundered back in the intensity of the night and landed on a sorta fairytale. Again we were left, those of us seasoned knowing their was still one more encore to go before the night faded to a memorable close.
The Second Encore brought out some standards in Bouncing Off Clouds, which immediately made me think of Resse and his journey here to see his girl, the crowd was bouncing along with the poppy vibe of the song, and then the close with another old friend Hey Jupiter in which the visibly result of a well cared for voice and a long tour were apparent as the high notes launched out into the hall like butter on toast.
As Tori left the stage touching the brief few who got their hands into precarious reach, the lights came on and people stumbled back into reality.
While this was not one of my all time shows, the repertoire was sunning. The musicianship all around was amazing. This is a tight group who seem to understand one another in a way that many of us can’t say of our lovers, mothers, brothers, husbands or wives.
The venue hands down was the disappointment of the night. While I think it would be a stunning showcase for a Piano only Tour, the interference of the band and the reverb and back echo were enough to drive my ears at times to excruciating displeasure. For those who didn’t take the risk on the drive, I’d say they missed a good line up but a bad hall. With the induction of the Leg’s and Boots they would have saved money just buying the show, which hopefully will be a little more tightened from point of recoding vs. point of given seat in venue. This is not a hall I’d revisit or recommend in the future. I was not impressed.
I waited outside as Milfy loaded her last few items, Found Resse and handed off his bags so he could take on his next adventure in Florida, and Milfy and we headed out watching the mass’s line up for a “after show met and greet” for which the likes I was to tired and to road ahead weary to partake of. Milfy had no ticket for Melbourne, but had been invited back for the next show to continue her work backstage, so we made our way back to 1-75 for the long drive home.
Again I mulled through the lost highway-esqu landscape that humidity and lowering temperature brings to the interstate. The relief of finally hitting 1-4 and knowing my weary eyes only had two more hours till the could nap on a nice soft pillow.
We arrived in Brevard at about 3am Sunday. Milfy had to be at the King Center at 9am, Misty was to direct her in so that I could nab a little more shut eye before my next adventure would begin.
I feel into slumber quickly, exhaustion and excitement overtaking me as my delta sleep system called me further and further away from the land of the alert. The sleep was a welcome reprieve from a day of one to many roads, and a whole lot of music.
--
Our treasure lies in the beehive of our knowledge. We are perpetually on the way thither, being by nature winged insects and honey gatherers of the mind". -Friedrich Nietzsche