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Post by lorraine on Aug 7, 2017 6:09:19 GMT -5
.... quiet day. I have resurrected a re-cap I started to write and never finished a couple of weeks ago.... taking out the actual concert bits because it was too long and everyone has said it all better.... so a non-concert, concert re-cap... .
BELATED NOTES ON A CONCERT ROAD TRIP......Toronto, Auburn Hills, ClevelandThis trip was touch-and-go to the last; not a good time to be thousands of miles from home despite my family's usual mantra of 'go, go, go'. Then the airport train was stuck for an hour due to a line failure and people all around me were missing flights....not a pretty sight, I can tell you. I was super-cool with my 'should I really be going?' attitude..... But then - that old ADAM TRAVEL MAGIC kicked in....never lets me down! I was upgraded on my flight from Heathrow and arrived in Toronto to find my little hotel room upgraded to a four room suite! (I should have played the lottery)... By the time I met up with two of my favourite people, Q3 and Theosgma, for a four-day three-concert road trip, I was more than up and running again. They had everything organised, of course - concert tix, travel, AirBnBs....so grateful. Toronto:
We marvelled that the Rogers Centre was so quiet: it was almost as if there was no show on there.... and what do you know, there wasn't! We'd actually gone to the wrong arena.....and no, we don't know how that happened either..... We raced across to the Air Canada centre and arrived a little sweaty and mourning the loss of a pre-concert meet-up with Skaschep - only for Q3 to discover that Skaschep was the lovely young woman sitting next to her for the show! What were the chances? skaschep : It was so very, very nice to meet you....and your lovely parents.....for pre post-concert drinks. You father took the leather pants discussion very well, I thought. You are a gorgeous breath of fresh air both here and in the world outside.
(Concert: half way between stages at barrier.....Sound - horrible; Sight - never mind about the sound )
The next day Q3 and I visited the CN Tower and were stalked by Brian May... Couldn't shake him off....passing in a corridor, coming out of a lift we were waiting for, joining us on a viewing platform..... and the funniest - when waiting for another lift, just the two of us in a quiet spot, Brian suddenly appeared on a little one-man internal balcony and stood for about 15 seconds looking down on us.....only about six feet above Q3. She was facing me and didn't see him....and I just froze, was useless - and sadly the whole thing just went over her head, literally. It would have made the greatest pic ever...Romeo and Juliet take two....but I couldn't move....and it was Brian's private time after all.
He was with his son and two security men...his birthday. His hair is literally like a beacon for miles around; his skin is very English Rose, pink and soft. He can't hide but I don't think many knew who he was....certainly the lift man and the barman we spoke to had no clue, other than 'he must be famous'. We nodded to Brian the first time and he responded almost imperceptibly but kindly with his eyes but I have to say that he looked rather withdrawn....just tired perhaps....
And he knew for sure we weren't stalking him as we were always there first!
Auburn Hills:
I accidentally left my wallet on the WillCall desk....for perhaps 7-8 minutes. Money, cards, tickets.... When I realised I ran back - and there it was, on the desk, intact. How many people had been served there in the meantime? As Brian would say...Thank you, thank you...Beautiful People of Auburn Hills
They are also amazingly good at late-concert-start Mexican Waves - though they lost points for not being too hot on the organised Queen handclaps.....can't have everything....
I spoke very briefly to one of Adam's two personal security men.... the one who leads him round in Gaga. I said that Adam seemed like a nice man and that he liked to party, didn't he? (not quite like that but I was struggling)....he replied emphatically that Adam was a very nice guy and, with the tiniest bit of a wry smile (don't think he does smiles really), said he sometimes makes it hard to take care of him. I imagine he does! Both Adam's personal security guys are very good-looking: perfectly groomed. Now there's a surprise....
Cleveland:
My best ever QAL (not counting QAL London NYE) Sat at the front, not at the central barrier but just at the bit where the guitar shape sticks out.....Adam leaning out from the stage just above our heads. My favourite seat location. And so much room to dance....(which I think I actually did!) I'm sure it was bamafan who had the same seats at another concert and she too mentioned enjoying Adam being a sex-machine-ready-to-reload... RIGHT....THERE..... And the sound was stunning....goosebump inducing. Not only is Adam's voice getting better and better but he knows it and his whole performance grows with it.
We could see so much detail. Adam is always on the alert and in control. Everytime he turned upstage, he engaged one band member or another, including them, spurring them on....keeping the energy up. He was the conductor of brilliance; the catalyst for all of this.
And there were countless little instances of Adam connecting with Brian....signalling him with his eyes, gently nudging him into position, or infusing him with his energy.....and when Brian was dangerously close to disappearing down the hole with Adam, it was much more of a shove than the videos capture.
The audience response to this show was the best I'd ever heard; they loved Adam's every word, move, note....he could do no worng.
And I had a bit of a moment....over a pink bike. Just ringing the bell brought the house down. Now you REALLY have to love the bell-ringer for that to happen.....certainly wasn't the bell.
THEY GOT HIM! For who he is....and for just who he is. Freddie, gay, Idol, solo, QAL.....nope. Just HIM. Perhaps for the first time, I got him as well....unconditionally....
SaggyCrotchPants and all (see....can't stop myself.... )
There is something this time round that makes Adam even more loveable and...accessible. He has this thing of being rock star, camp comic, boy-next-door or superstar vocalist....yet always having his genuine 'niceness' shining through. Almost like he can't help it.
After the show we joined 100,000+ people on the streets. The local team had just won a big game in the stadium next door and a magnificent firework display was mixed with Queen songs booming out into the night, from pubs and passing cars. It felt like the whole world was celebrating. It was truly magical.
In our beautiful AirBnB, the three of us talked until 4am with the alarms set for 7am to get me to the airport. Q3 - you really are Superwoman; astonishing capabilities with a thoughtful and generous heart. Theosgma - your insight and gentle spirituality inspire my dull, prosaic soul to want to seek something more....
Thank you both.
And my thanks to Adam....yet again....just as you are.
Having so much trouble sleeping tonight, so here I sit---missing Adam and QAL, wondering if the magic will ever return ----And reading your recap, Sophie, so wonderful, and so filled with joyful moments, beautifully stated. You brought this tour alive for me-and all of us,again, for one more day. Your way of describing your journey and the unique qualities that make Adam so beloved all over the world make me cry,because I understand so well the profundity of your words and the truthfulness that lie within. I'm so glad you crossed the sea and lifted your spirit with beautiful friendships, unexpected happenings and concerts to treasure for a lifetime. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with such clarity and sense of wonder---made me feel like I was right there with you. Only one comment I emphatically beg to differ---your soul could never be described as "dull and prosaic"---you, Dear One, have a heart of gold, a wicked sense of humor and a spirit of generosity like few I've known. And after reading your recap, it's plain to all, you have a remarkable way with words; thank you so much for sharing them with us ...
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Post by AnnAdoresAdam on Aug 7, 2017 6:11:33 GMT -5
Oh SophieB that was so lovely. I'm .......
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Post by AnnAdoresAdam on Aug 7, 2017 6:28:53 GMT -5
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Post by skaschep on Aug 7, 2017 6:31:30 GMT -5
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SophieB
Member
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Post by SophieB on Aug 7, 2017 6:34:46 GMT -5
AnnAdoresAdam - oh my goodness....it does explain it!Honestly never saw this. And I feel I can say now that it was more than 'withdrawn' - he looked very low in spirit....gentle and vulnerable....but remote and unsmiling. Poor Brian - wish I could have given him a hug but giving him space and not bothering him at all was probably all we could do for him....
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Post by skaschep on Aug 7, 2017 6:37:23 GMT -5
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Post by skaschep on Aug 7, 2017 6:56:04 GMT -5
SophieB Thank you for your kind words! They were just what I needed today! Even though I'm back home since Friday it seems my body and mind have still not landed in my normal world yet. Also things have to keep going wrong for some reason. My plants on the balcony are dead, my wifi signal at home is wobbly and this morning my bed also fell apart. I have to go back to work tomorrow, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to as I'm still in Canada timezone for some reason. It was very lovely meeting you, Q3 and theosgma as well! As I already mentioned to theosgma we missed the opportunity to take a picture!
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Post by skaschep on Aug 7, 2017 7:00:51 GMT -5
Bob Ruggiero @bobruggiero2 A strong show by @queenwillrock + @adamlambert should silence the haters. And ripping @drbrianmay solos! My review: www.houstonpress.com/music/queen-adam-lambert-at-toyota-center-august-5-2017-9675124Queen + Adam Lambert Bathe In Classic-Rock Glory With a Side of Camp MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 2017 AT 6 A.M. With apologies to the great Curtis Mayfield, let’s get one thing straight: Freddie’s dead. Yeah, that’s what I said. So for the Classic Rock Harumphers and Humbuggers who bemoan and carp that any performing entity called “Queen + Adam Lambert” is not “really” Queen and shouldn’t be allowed to besmirch the reputation of the “Original Classic” Queen, and that Adam Lambert from American Idol is no Freddie Mercury, there’s at least one guy who partially agrees with you: Adam Lambert. “I know there are some hardcore fans out there who are saying that I’m not Freddie Mercury. “Well no shit, I’m not!”” Lambert told the crowd during a break in the music when he talked about the influence of the band’s irreplaceable vocalist, dead now more than a quarter-century. More on the site.
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Post by pi on Aug 7, 2017 7:04:45 GMT -5
HoustonPressQueen + Adam Lambert Bathe In Classic-Rock Glory With a Side of CampQueen + Adam Lambert Toyota Center August 5, 2017
With apologies to the great Curtis Mayfield, let’s get one thing straight: Freddie’s dead.
Yeah, that’s what I said.
So for the Classic Rock Harumphers and Humbuggers who bemoan and carp that any performing entity called “Queen + Adam Lambert” is not “really” Queen and shouldn’t be allowed to besmirch the reputation of the “Original Classic” Queen, and that Adam Lambert from American Idol is no Freddie Mercury, there’s at least one guy who partially agrees with you: Adam Lambert.
“I know there are some hardcore fans out there who are saying that I’m not Freddie Mercury. “Well no shit, I’m not!”” Lambert told the crowd during a break in the music when he talked about the influence of the band’s irreplaceable vocalist, dead now more than a quarter-century.
This did not seem to be an issue at all for anybody in attendance, who nonetheless still got half of the original band (guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor), a charismatic, talented frontman in his own right, and a crack backing group both paying tribute to the band’s incredible catalogue and providing more than enough thrills of its own for more than two hours. And – as promised right out of the gate – they did rock us.
Things did get off to something of a wobbly start when Lambert – dressed as if he were going as George Michael from the “Faith” video for Halloween – brooded and strutted rather than engagingly perform the first few numbers.
But things picked up quickly with “Fat Bottomed Girls” and Lambert’s showmanship matched the swagger. Not to mention his at least six costume changes throughout the show, a sartorial conveyor belt of leather, sparkles, T-shirts with hearts on them, silver and purple color combinations, and flashy jackets. Freddie would have certainly approved.
“Freddie was very much a fashionista, and I want to be one too. I’m up here in this gay-ass suit,” Lambert joked. The singer, who has been open about his homosexually and sported his trademark heavy eye makeup and high hair, swung from butch to femme pesonas easily, posturing throughout the show with flamboyance and style, and it was perfect. And can Lambert ever hit those impossible high notes.
For the partial “Bicycle Race,” he rode a pink three-wheel bike across the stage runway, camping it up while throwing roses and singing into a mike. Overall, Lambert was far more compatible to the music and stage show than when May and Taylor toured some years back as “Queen + Paul Rodgers” with the Bad Company front man. That show mixed tunes from both bands, but felt like an arranged marriage between two entities that kinda-sorta liked each other.
In fact, the guitar necked-shaped (or was that a penis?) stage runway that jettisoned well into the middle of the floor brought the band closer to its audience both physically and in the show. It was utilized best when it was just Lambert, May, and Taylor for a few numbers, playing in and around each other with a grace and a camaraderie.
The two original members of Queen took surprisingly strong vocals turns as well: Taylor with the powerful and electric, but unfortunately named “I’m In Love with My Car." And May – with just an acoustic guitar and a stool at the long end of the runway – gently offered “Love of My Life” while letting a video Freddie Mercury finish the song.
It was actually an extremely touching moment that clearly moved the guitarist, despite how many times it’s been performed (Houston was the last stop of a 26-city North American tour). The passage of time was very visual – May’s explosion of follicles that looked like an old English Charles Dickens-era judge's wig, and Taylor’s hair and heavy beard were all gray.
But they played with an energy and stamina that belied their age, especially during their solo segments when it was just them and their instruments. The crowd clearly had deep goodwill for both, and May even talked to the audience and took a “stereophonic selfie” of the entire audience.
Other highlights included the rockabilly-rollicking crowd favorite “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” a powerful and urgent “Under Pressure” (which Taylor dedicated to David Bowie, who sang so memorably with Mercury on the original), and Lambert’s best vocal showcase of the evening in “Who Wants to Live Forever?” Did I mention you got to hear all of Brian May’s distinctive guitar solos from the record played impeccably by Brian May? Though original bassist John Deacon, who no longer tours, was missed for his unique thumping on “Another One Bites the Dust."
Read more.. www.houstonpress.com/music/queen-adam-lambert-at-toyota-center-august-5-2017-9675124
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Post by pi on Aug 7, 2017 7:16:31 GMT -5
Oops I see the review has already been posted by skaschep, but I'll leave the one I posted because it has the photos.. Mods feel free to delete mine if it's too much.
Sorry you're having some post concert challenges skaschep, but it can only get better.. here's hoping!
SophieB thank you for your recap. Really enjoyed reading your behind-the-scenes tidbits!
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