7.19.15 WOW!

THE NIGHT In MORANGO--------
From the moment DH and I got in our car and started our drive to Morongo, a trip that was a little under 2 hours, there was already an air of mystery everywhere---Who ever heard of flash flood warnings and continual downpours in San Diego in the middle of July,right here in the land of the endless summer? So, when we finally arrived after listening to Adam's albums in the car, I was more than ready;I knew this night was going to be different but could not predict what was about to unfold.DH was just along for the ride,but my over the top excitement and anticipation made it impossible for him not to be carried away, too---in spite of himself!

We waited outside the venue and along comes a familiar site," There's Eber!" I shouted,as if my hubby would know who the heck he was. No matter, I just explained,"That's Adam's dad." Then over comes someone I should have recognized immediately, but with her pretty new hairdo,didn't. She was our own Patti, and it was a joy to see her friendly face. We got inside pretty quickly and listened to a band called PHASES. The lead singer had a pretty nice voice but her constant twirling made me a little dizzy.It was hard to endure anyone up on that stage when you are waiting for HIM!!!

I could hardly breathe as the time was getting closer. I was in row 9, in an aisle seat and was totally expecting to see very little because it's been my experience that everyone pushes to the front once the concert begins,and then there really isn't any aisle. Being shorter than so many people, there was no way I would be able to see. My TREASURED FRIEND,{from Adamtopia} even commanded me to "Push, Woman!" but I forgot to tell her that the last time I pushed another human being was when I had to propel my son into the world several decades ago....guess I didn't get that gene, and I've spent my professional life telling my elementary grade students to Stop Pushing! So..you can imagine my delight when I saw a rope go across the aisle right in front of me,blocking folks from pushing forward and filling the aisles. Some still tried-and were promptly escorted back to their seats by the ushers. I know this rigidity bothers alot of people, but for me it was great because I got an unobstructed view of Adam throughout the whole concert, which was a first for me. Of course I still have the dream that I will see him better {THAT FACE} from the front row some day---and I believe that will happen.

Getting back to this night of mystery---PHASES was finally off the stage and the crowd started screaming out for Adam. It then became unusually dark and eerily quiet. DH was sitting back, looking around wondering when this "PHENOM" who has taken over his wife's life for the past 6+ years would finally appear. Suddenly, a figure in white ,seemingly emerged from nowhere,bathed in a cloudy halo ---and I kept wondering where Adam was. DH,said,"That's him!" I looked again, the audience erupted in screams and that big hat and that familiar profile all in white truly was a vision---and then THAT VOICE....

You have already read many comments about the individual songs that Adam sang, so I won't repeat what's already been written except to say that it was truly a night to remember. For those who remarked negatively about the lighted shirt under his jacket, all I can say is ,"You had to be there." It was perfect. He opened up his jacket at the very precise moment and the reaction in that room when he did so, was electrifying. Ever the showman, Adam knows how to grab you and make you never want to let go. DH was astonished at that moment and shouted to me ,"He's all lit up,honey!" To which I responded,"Of course he is!"

My highlights---hearing There I Said It, live , Shady,{still one of my favorites},After Hours {OMG} and the biggest surprise of all, hearing Chris Issak's WICKED GAMES. I really can't say what that performance was like to hear right there in that room. Adam has a way of acting out everything he sings from a place so intimate in his heart and soul---and the sexiness he conveyed in that song is left for each of us to take into our own beings in a place, deep, private and beautiful-to savor for a very long time.

So, last night -in the desert, was one I'll always be so grateful for and though I'm kinda tired and still filled with bliss for having been there,it wouldn't have been complete without sharing a little bit of it with all of you.

Got to drop in quickly, add a few thoughts.

The Band: 'professional MF's' ....    oh, YES, Adam, totally, I agree. They are staying more in the background, leaving Adam the solo star spot, but the thing is, Adam with his improvs, with his many different musical styles, with his many transitions in and out of rhythms, he just needs people who are really, really GOOD. And he needs that in spite of significant electronic elements, and/or because of them. There is a lot going on, in any Adam concert, and he needs people who can hold their own in a live setting, and yet step back, and take their spot in the back row.

Secondly, he needs somebody with some serious skills on the electronic/programming side, and whoever did that work for him here, they've got it. Some of these beats were just yummy to listen to, and I mean in their coloring. i.e. I have never heard that womp womp womp from Shady done so well, except for Nile's band, and they made the mistake to only use it in the intro and then fade it out too much, as the singers took over. Here in Morongo, they kept that backdrop going and it was so good. And I am not even knowledgeable enough to know  where the electronic work ends and the live play begins, but I do hear, when the music is up to par with what his music requires, and it was all there.

I was reminded of Adam's first guy who did programming work for him (the guy that left to go back to KORN). He always talked about creating an electronic 'bed' for the song to rest in. That is what these guys here delivered. You could see how Adam was comfortably riding on that sound bed provided for him. He's got some keepers here. Loved them.

Only thing I thought was, while the transitions from TSP to AOBTD and back were done well, as many already noticed, I thought that keeping that very exact beat going throughout AOBTD was a bit sharp. The rhythmic brilliance of this funky song lies in keeping the beat tight, but not so military precision sharp that it sounds inflexible. I think, they need to make the transition from and to TSP exactly the way they have it, but loosen their grip on that beat a bit in the middle, make it swing a bit more, give it a bit more flex.

But, man, what a difference to what we had during GNT. Hope, Adam can hold on to what he has going here.

And I also believe that mic cord is here to stay. Thanks for confirming that there are sound quality reasons to go with wired mics. I think, it makes a difference, in handling both the different dynamics as well as vocal ranges that Adam puts out. He seems to be able to manage the cord just fine on stage, and in typical Adam fashion, has begun to play with his new-found toy. And he can use the mic stand, when he wants his hands free. Or switch to a different mic for a special song where he has to dance a lot. But for the rest, keep this.

I loved the jacket lights, the hat was fine, its a big dress-up box, called stage costuming for him, and I don't think Adam lets anyone between him and his dress-up box, no matter what we think. Which does not mean, people can't have an opinion, just think it is like beards and tattoos and make-up and stuff, he will do what he likes, and I love him for it. I happen to love the moments of interest  the lights created, I thought it worked well and Adam will probably be 100, and still turn himself into a Christmas tree, and it will work just fine for me, because he is playful, and it fits with what he is singing about. Just my opinion, of course.

I loved so much in this concert...loved OOL -> GT. Loved the changed up IIHY (more kudos to the band and tech team on this one), loved Shady, loved the surprise cover...) just loved it all.
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And now I need to leave you guys again....I'm quietly reading....will be more active again in the fall....just busy times rn...
have fun.

ETA: Lorraine, great review. TY

  I've been gone most of the day.  I got to see the vids this morning before I had to leave and what a great concert!!  Adam was on fire!  I just love the way he started the show....dark shadowy figure with that amazing hat...what an image!!  OOL...wow....into GT...PERFECT!  Then BAM! the shirt lights up!  Frickin' genius.  Such drama I could feel just sitting at my computer and I can just imagine how it made you feel being there!!  It reminded me of how MJ would do dramatic images for some of his songs. 

My only regret...I couldn't have been there to experience the awsomeness!!

And because Adam is 30+ he shouldn't wear a shirt that lights up?  Really?  I'd hate to box Adam in with some kind of idea of 'age appropriateness' label?JMHO   But everyone feels differently...that's what makes it so much fun!


Me...I say AFL bring on all the dramatic...innovative lights, lasers, disco balls(lol) etc. you want....I'll eat them up!JMHO!