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Gerlinde Uebel:
Hi all,
here is Gerlinde (from the south of Germany) who is very grateful that she could attend two Storyman Solo concerts with band (grin) in Heilbronn and Abenberg last week. This report is in particular for those who can not attend one of Chris' shows this year, because of the distance or because of less money or whatsoever.
Dear fans from Australia (hi Des), from Canada (hi Josée), from Turkey (hi Feyzullah) and and.... I think of you. Btw - I wore the Storyman Shirt (the mailingList one from last year) over my shoulders. So at least your faces were with me in Heilbronn and also in Abenberg. :-)
Back to 'my' Heilbronn concert - Thursday, July 12, 2007:
After my usual daily work I got ready for the concert; took the train
(S-Bahn) from Öhringen to Heilbronn (45 min). I arrived at the station in Heilbronn at 5.00 p.m.. Immediately I walked towards the venue
(Wertwiesenpark) where the concert should be held.
Obcviously Chris was already there, because I heard his voice: parts of the sound check. That was just great: 'It's Me and I Am Ready To Go', 'Spirit', 'Raging Storm', 'The Risen Lord', 'Where We Will Be Going' and at last 'Lady In Red'. The entrances were still closed. So I went for a walk. I took the path along the river Neckar and enjoyed watching the joggers, others with their bicycles etc..., searched the silence; was excited about the concert. And didn't I say yet? I was so happy about the dry weather and the beautiful evening. Then I sat down on a bench; thought of my husband who had to work on this certain Thursday from 7.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m.; also thougt of Chris. Maybe he sat on the same bench during the afternoon??? At about 7.00 p.m., I decided to return to the Wertwiesenpark. I looked to the stage and the stage was LOW. I felt so happy about this, because I do hate high stages. And this stage was definately low. :-) Then I bought a T-Shirt (a cheaper one from The Road To Fredom Tour - ah, always the money!) and I became owner of the 'Much More Than This' box-set. After that I had a glass of sparkling wine. Unfortunately
nobody touched glasses..... :-( Oh, I hated to be not joined by my
husband.
Then I had a nice conversation with Sabine and Alex; said 'hello' to Stewart and Chris W. introduced Ursula (who was at once very friendly to me) from Switzerland to me. (hi Ursula). After that I sat down on my chair (row 2) - not far away from the middle aisle - what a great place and view! Besides in front of me - on the ground there I had put my bag, the 'things' from the merchandise stand and my two gifts for Chris (which were admired by a
woman) :-). So some people had to do some climbing... Sorry for that! And funnily enough a friend of mine did NOT recognize me.... It was, because I did not wear my working clothes...Ha, ha, ha...
Finally it was time and Chris came onto the stage. :-) I got up from my chair to just welcome him with standing ovations,whereas others remained seated. I do what I do...
.....Chris came onto the stage.
I would like to say that I love simply Chris performing solo:
Chris, his voice, his songs and a guitar or a piano.
And that was it - how he began - with the solo part: he sang only a few lines from the 'Storyman' song until always by my side. :-) He continued with 'In A Country Churchyard', 'The Same Sun' (I must admit that I always NEED to hear this song - my all-time favourite one and I see some of you nodding), 'Sailing Away'. And then he sang 'The Sweetest Kiss Of All' (piano) very powerfully. I nearly did fall from my seat. :-) 'Lebanese Night', 'A Perfect Day' and then I enjoyed listening to 'I See You Everywhere'. Chris continued with a great version of 'Borderline' (Piano). And I loved to hear 'The Risen Lord' and 'The Last Time I Cried' for the very first time live (for me). Then he did 'Lady In Red' with a head-set whilst walking around the audience. When Chris was back on the stage he sang my two favourite ballads from the Storyman Album, 'Leningrad' and 'The Grace Of A Dancer'. :-) Once again he sang the two songs very very powerfully - accompanied and supported by other instruments - but not yet with the full band. I wished he would never stop singing these two songs in his concerts. After 'The Grace Of A Dancer' I went towards the stage and gave my two gifts to Chris, enjoyed the 'you and me' moment, but because of the TWO gifts Chris could not hold my hand. What shall I say? Own goal!!!
Then the full band came onto the stage: (And I was already hoarse... Guess - why?)
Where We Will Be Going :-)
One World
Raging Storm
Spanish Train
Spirit
The Leader/The Vision/What About Me?
Dancing Time:
The Words 'I Love You' :-)
Bal Masqué
My Father's Eyes :-)
Living In The World
Say Goodbye
Don't Pay The Ferryman
Encore:
Peaceful Waters :-) (which he forgot to sing earlier)
High On Emotion :-)
Snows Of New York
Concerning the videos - there is so much said now. So I would like to only add that I am so glad that more people on this planet get the chance to watch these videos - especially the anti-war video during The Leader Trilogy. After 'What About Me' I felt the despair and was moved to tears and jumped from my seat... Oh, my poor neighbours had to bear a lot - really!
And I enjoyed the dancing part...caught many of Chris' smiles (for the forthcoming months...), did a lot of flirting with a member of the band...he, he, he...
After the show I hurried to the station to reach my train. On my way home I had a look into the book (Much More Than This). Shortly before Öhringen (my destination) I noticed a couple and I asked them whether they had also been at the CdeB concert. They said, yes and told me that Chris has even drunk from the woman's cup. And the woman pointed her finger in direction of her bag where apparently the cup was inside. I looked at him; I looked at her and said, "Oh no - really"? And they told me that this has been their first Chris' concert. Afterwards they were absolutely enthusiastic. They have never thought that Chris could do such a live show! Then I had to get off. I arrived at home at midnight.
Sorry my English!
Love, Gerlinde (trying to return to normal life. Maybe I will write another review about Abenberg... Who knows?)
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