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Albums
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Yvonne Mitchell: Sorry to take so long in posting a Toronto review. I haven't quite recovered yet!! As planned, Stewart Hector booked a table at the Duke of Argyle, and Brian Morton, Kim, Helene Dufresne and her friend, my sister, Sandy, by mom Greta and my husband, Daniel all had a wonderful time. Brian was wearing a t-shirt with Astrid's "Just Read My Name" jpg, as was I. I had to add my name, however, as I've been off the list for a while (raising my little boys, who are now 4 and 6). We then walked to Roy Tompson Hall - a very nice hall normally used for the symphony. We were about 5 rows from the front. Kim wasn't far from us, and we had a lot of fun waving to Brian and Helene in a nice booth on the other side of the hall. The concert began to a standing ovation. The crowd was very enthusiastic! Brian wrote down the play list, so I won't repeat it here - even if I could remember it. Chris played a lot from the Road to Freedom (the first song he sang). As I absolutely love this album - it was a real treat! He sang a couple of songs I hadn't heard before - one called (I think) Nighttime in Lebanon - which was really good! On a sad note, he did mention that his mother-in-law Dolly had passed away the day before (Nov 10) and, with tears in his eyes, he sang a new song to her. He also expressed his sadness that he couldn't go home. With tears still in his eyes, he sang Borderline - to another standing ovation, and then one of my favourites - Say Goodbye. Not long after, he donned a "Brittney Spears"-type headset, and went up and down the aisles singing songs and dancing with the audience. (He jokingly said he wished he was Brittney Spears!) He is so incredible!! He interacts with the audience so well and really gets them involved. As the songs got more upbeat, he (finally) asked audience members to join him at the stage - which me, my mom and sister did with enthusiasm! Unfortunately, many of the older audience members weren't happy with this, and some even left, as they couldn't see as well anymore with all the people standing at the front. (Of course, they could have stood up, or joined us too...) Anyway - I had an absolutely fantastic time singing and dancing to Don't Pay the Ferryman, High on Emotion and other favourites! Chris left, but came back to another standing ovation, and sang more songs, including Pretty Woman, American Pie, and his final song - Hey Jude. (He always seems to end on Hey Jude - a song I like - but frankly - I like Chris' songs better than even the Beatles! But, if he likes singing it, and others enjoy it too, then far be it from me to complain.) Even the ushers were dancing to Chris' music! We didn't want it to end - but alas - the 3 hour concert was over far too quickly. After the concert, we met up with Kim, Brian and Helene again. Brian mentioned that Chris often leaves quickly after a concert, and said if we wanted to see him leave, we would have to go to the exit quickly. We did, and got to see him again very briefly. He said thank you, but that he was very tired and had to go. After he left, a gentleman that Brian knew gave me a card with Chris' picture and an autograph, and asked if we were going to the Chinese food restaurant Chris had mentioned during the concert. I asked if Chris was really going to be there, and he said he was. Sooo, Daniel, Sandy, Greta and I went into our truck on a quest for a certain Chinese food restaurant. We found it! Peter's Chung King Restaurant 281 College St., Toronto, Ontario 416-928-2936 I'm providing free advertising for a very nice restaurant owner who opened his doors after his 11pm closing to 4 people who made fools of themselves and interrupted Chris and his 2 companions during their late night dinner. Actually, it was Chris who invited us in to join him, and we spent the most unbelievable hour having a drink and talking with the person who has made the biggest impact in my life (with the exception of my husband and my kids)! He wondered why other people hadn't arrived, and guessed that his directions hadn't been clear enough. He said Peter's food was the absolute best Chinese food he's ever had - and for someone as world-wise as he is, that says something! We talked a lot. I pointed out the t-shirt I was wearing as your jpg, Astrid. He was happy with the Toronto enthusiasm, but did say the people in Germany do tend to come to the front sooner to dance. I told him that I love "Just Say My Name", and he said it was on the playlist, but he ran out of time. The evening is still something of a blurr, and I haven't quite been the same since (don't know if I will ever be again!) My greatest dream has been to shake Chris' hand and say 'thank you for the music' - and he surpassed this unbelievably! Now I can say to Chris "Thanks for the music, the conversation (hope we didn't bore you - and yes, Sandy's husband is still talking to her), thanks for the drinks, and thanks for an experience of a lifetime!!!" My mom and sister are also still in a be-dazzled state. My sister took a lot of pictures during the concert, and we have 2 pictures from the restaurant. I'll get my sister's web page with the pictures posted, as soon as she gives me permission. Thanks all, hope everyone has as fantastic a concert experience as we had, and sorry to make you wait for the review. (I'm still not quite on planet earth yet...) Yvonne Mitchell |
File last modified on July 29th, 2006