Concert Review: Frankfurt, Germany - October 18, 2002
Claudia Gerike:
For me and Willi it began when we travelled down to Frankfrt together with our friend Sonja who is not on the list, at about 4.30 p.m.. We met Sandra, Diana and Tina at the station and very soon Olga and Christine from Russia came to join us. We had a nice dinner at an itallien restaurant next to the Festhalle and talked a lot about each and everything. Tina was lucky with getting a ticket in the same block as the others where in. Before the show we drank some sparklin whine that (who was it???) had brought, and so we have been in a really good mood when taking our seats. Our block was a bit away from the others but our seats where 2 steps high, so I had a good view to the stage (even if people stood) and I think that was ok at all. The concert started and soon we all have been in a good mood. When Chris welcomed the audience, there was something for his birghday, but I could not sse it well from my seat. (you surely have seen more on the internet...) The band played "happy birghday", and everyone sang along. After this song, Willi and I went to the front to give a rose to Chris for his birthday. He thanked us and we went back to our seats. I think there was someone behind us with a present as well.... Chris said something like "my birthday was last year..." We went back to our seats for a while, but soon I realized that people did go to the front somehow. So did we again, and saw some people standing at the side of the stage. After "lady in red" they let us run to the stage. We came quite near, bit to the right side, but somehow I did not feel very confortible, as it was to crowdy and I always got a beg on my left hip. As I had an operation on it many, many years ago, the scar did hurt from that, and so we decided to go back to our seats for a while. Going back we ran into Claudia Schreiber (hey, it was great to see you!) and came back later or dancing. We may not have been to near to the stage, but I felt much better by having some space. We really enjoyed the solo part, especially when Chris did play "in a country churchyard". The band was really brilliant this evening!! Besides the not so good akustic conditions of the hall, the mixer found a way, that we could hear every instrument absolutly brilliant. What Willi said he really liked very much was that during "the revolution" there was a drums solo and the bass played the beginning of "smoke on the water" - sounded really funny. The version of "liberty" was the best Willi ever heard he said. The man on the lead guitar made him absolutly excited!!! What we also liked very much was that the men on the guitars playd harmonies during "snows of new york". Chris really did a brilliant version of this song yesterday. His band seams to be much better then in Cologne. After the show we had some talks with the others and after trying to get another drink we went back to the station where our train left at nearly half past 12. We sang nearly the whole way back and arrived safely at about 2 a.m. this morning. Really tired but very happy! I guess this has been one of the best concerts I have ever seen.