Concert Review: Münster, Germany - May 16, 2009
Andrea Lucas:
Hi everyone, it’s early Sunday morning and as I can’t sleep anymore, I thought I might write a review about my trip to Muenster and the concert yesterday evening. First of all – the concert was FANTASTIC!!!!! I was a bit anxious before, but it was way over my expectations. Maybe I am soo enthusiastic, because it already was a really nice day before, no idea, but I enjoyed it very, very much. On Saturday I started driving to my friend Karin to pick her up for the journey to Muenster. We had a second breakfast and left her house by 9.30. For me it was a 500 km drive, but my new car went really well and traffic was fine, except for a hold up after we had passed Dortmund. Only my navi-system did not work properly, as it always told us to leave the motorway. Well, we knew about where to go, so it did not bother us. Later I found out it was set on “avoid motorways” – no idea how that happened, but I changed it and hopefully later today it’ll work for the trip back home. Still we arrived at the hotel by midday and could already check in. Karin and I went outside for a lovely walk around the lake next to the hotel. Back we put on our swimming costumes and went to the pool for a swim. Later we met with Sibylle and Fabi for a meal, which was delicious and we had a really good time. From there we drove to the venue which was a normal “multi-functional hall”. Our seats were in row 2 with a very good view. Well, the concert started quite spectacular with lots of flashing lights and kind of “space” music. No idea how to describe that, it was a bit like in a science-fiction kind of movie. Soon I noticed it were the notes of “Last Night” and was looking forward to that, as I really like that song. Since my friend Richard (from the US) was in Iraq that song has a special meaning for me. It was dark except for the lights and then finally the band came on and they started playing. Chris walked in from the right side and started singing. Gosh, it was sooo powerful and I LOVED it!!!! The next song was “Missing You”, followed by “Sailing Away”. The song order might not be correct and I might have missed one or a few. We were writing down the order yesterday in the bar quite late, trying to re-capture the songs. I think it was “The Same Sun” next, which was different with the band playing along, but still good (one of my favourites), then “Turn, Turn, Turn”. That was fantastic – well I really like that one and I think it’s very good with the band. They went on with “The Long And Winding Road” and “Without You”. Very different from the orchestra version, but really nice. Chris had put down his guitar and sang those songs very emotional again. I wouldn’t have expected those songs to be honest. Then came “The Mirror Of The Soul”, “Brave Hearts” and “Leather On My Shoes”. Gosh, “Leather On My Shoes” is just soooooo good!!!!! At the end Chris left the stage and there was a break. During the break we saw that the stage crew was putting chairs on the stage and bongo-drums, so I assumed there would be a “session-part” with some slow songs. They had done that before and I had always LOVED it!!! And yes, they did it. The first song was “All Along The Watchtower”. I do not really like this one, but it was OK. Nigel was playing at the piano and Chris sat on one of those higher chairs (like he did at the orchestra part in the UK). The next song was one of my favourites: “Love Of The Heart Divine”. During this song Nigel not only played the piano, but also played the accordion, it was really good. Then Chris sat down at the piano, with Nigel and his accordion sitting on a chair and they played “Moonlight And Vodka”. That was the end of that part and the band left the stage. Chris sang “Borderline” on the piano and in the middle of the song, he got completely lost. He stopped singing, just played the piano, but the words of the song didn’t come back to his mind, so finally he sang something like “can anybody help me with the words”… Of course some people shouted out the words and he went on singing, but it was a bit confused. He sometimes sings wrong lyrics, but so far always managed to get back to the right words. Anyway, at the end of that song, people got up to give him standing ovations and he seemed to be really moved. He did apologize for getting lost and said when he sings he always sees the film in his mind, but this time the film just stopped. I think it was Claudia who yelled out “it was a commercial break” and he said “yes, it must have been one”. Well, it’s only human to not remember all the lyrics every time. He got a lot of flowers after a lot of songs and once a thorn hurt one of his fingers on the right hand. It started bleeding and he asked if someone would seal it with a kiss. You can imagine that there would have been volunteers He sang a few lines of that song, which was nice. Chris’ solo part went on with “The Last Thing On My Mind”. Gosh, I love that one with just him and his guitar!!!!. Then “A Spaceman Came Travelling” (mentioning it would only be 7 months till Christmas) and “Where Peaceful Waters flow”. The audience was very lively from the beginning with lots of clapping and singing, everyone seemed to be in really good moods. During Peaceful Waters someone started running towards the front and of course immediately many people followed. This was quite a surprise and for sure not meant to be at that time of the concert. Karin and I were trying too, but there were a few tall people there, so we could not see well and went back to our seats. It wasn’t much better there, then we noticed Konni who was sitting on the side waving at us. Her area was “elevated” and we joined her. It was a bit more far away from the stage as our seats were, but with a perfect view, as we were standing on a slightly higher level. We had enough space to dance and enjoyed the rest of the concert from there. The band came back on and played “Africa”. To be honest this is not one of my favourites on the CD. It’s OK, but that’s it. But live with the band it was fantastic!!!! They also did “Making The Perfect Man”. As Chris sang “Lady In Red” he still came down from the stage finding his way through the crowds the fans. Again he laid down on the lap of a lady, kissed a lot (and was kissed and hugged) and then walked through an empty row where all the people had run to the stage. Back on the stage we heard “The Words I Love You”, “Bal Masque” and “Ship To Shore” mixed with a bit of “The Getaway”. It was just great to dance, sing and simply enjoy ourselves!!!! The rest of the songs was the same as usual “Say Goodbye To It All”, “Don’t Pay The Ferryman” and “High On Emotion”. Then they left the stage for a few minutes, but came back for “The Snows Of New York” and “Footsteps”. After “Footsteps” Chris went into the crowd again. Then this great concert was over, wow, it was such a good show!!!!!! Now I’m off for a walk around the lake, then later today it’s back home. Those of you going to the next concerts, it’s definitely worth going and I am happy that I have a few more to come. Enjoy your Sunday and take care, Andrea