Concert Review: Bournemouth, UK - October 7, 2011
Sandra Pleyer:
Hi all, I haven't written a review for quite a while. But as I always enjoy reading other reviews, I thought it's time to write one myself again. When the UK dates were announced I decided to make a UK trip:I love travelling, I love the sea and I love CdeB concerts. The sea was the reason that I decided for Bournemouth. Finally on Thursday my journey began. I took a flight to London and travelled from there to Bournemouth. After having arrived I spent the afternoon in Poole ( a few kilometres from Bournemouth): It was such a lovely sunny afternoon and the quay in Pool was soo nice. ) On Friday I wanted to explore 'Moonfleet Country' and decided to drive to the 'Isle of Purbeck'. Sun came out at noon and I spent another lovely day. Heading back to B. in the afternoon to have a long a walk at the seafront there. With beautiful sunshine. Then it was time for the concert. It was only a few minutes walk from my hotel along the seafront. I have never been to a CdeB concert with a venue directly at the seafront. Somehow I liked this very much. In the venue I soon saw familiar faces: Community members from the UK. After a bit of chatting I entered the actual hall. A member of the staff wanted to give me directions where to find my seat. I said 'Yes I know, where it is" and the lady asked "You have been in before?". No, I hadn't been in before, but a front row seat is easy to find. The show started on time with the familiar tunes. After the first 'Moonfleet' songs the introduction followed: Chris mentioned that the Bournemouth shows over the years had been quite special and that there had been some 'hot' shows. Of course I wouldn't mind seeing a 'hot show' that night. He also told us that in the afternoon he had been at the seafront. Some people were removing there clothes and were running into the sea. As he loves swimming, he did the same. He only got to know later that this was the 'annual naked lady swim'. Well, I think Chris did talk quite a lot yesterday. And as always there was a difference to the German shows for me: He speaks quicker and uses sometimes a word I don't know. Next was 'Missing you', where a lady brought a red rose to the stage. Btw, this was the only present apart from another present, which was brought to stage later on. Before 'Seven Bridges' Chris briefly mentioned that he has a new album out next week. He talked a bit about 'Seven Bridges' and while mentioning the former GDR, someone in the audience cheered. Chris asked 'Wanna go back???' and it sounded like he couldn't understand the reaction...The response to 'Seven Bridges' was a bit weaker than in Germany but that didn't suprise me at all. As 'Seven Bridges' is very well known in Germany. When the first tune of 'Spanish train' could be heard, you could hear a lot of 'cheering'. Another difference to the German concerts: In UK and Ireland the reaction to the old songs is always so strong. I really love that. And therefore 'Spanish train' was one of the highlights of the first half for me. Before 'My heart's surrender' Chris started to tell the 'usual' story when a mobile phone started ringing. It was the lady who had the seat next to me, but in the second row. But Chris - standing in front of me on the right side of the stage - looked at me and said: "Shall I answer the phone...". It was sooo embarassing and I pointed to the lady behind me to make clear that it hadn't been my phone. Back to the songs: More Moonfleet songs followed and during one of my favourites 'The Storm' there was a lot of clapping during the song, really good atmosphere for this time of the show. Soon it was time for the intermission. Another highlight for me was 'Borderline'. It's such a strong song and like the version with piano und band so much. And once again a great respone from the audience. Btw, I think Chris' voice was really really good yesterday. And in regards to the fact that he has done quite a few shows over the last weeks that's amazing. Among the next songs were 'Why Mona Lisa smiled" (in Germany it was a washig mashine, now it is a diswasher) and 'People of the world'. I found it a bit dissappointing that only a few people stood up during this song. But I read some comments on FB that security didn't allow people to stand up. ( Then time for the solo part. I was curious which songs we would hear that evening: Chris started with 'In a country churchyard' follwed by 'Lonely Sky'. Yeaahhh, so glad to hear 'Lonely Sky' again. Then he told us the story behing 'Spirit', which was next. I wasn't keen at all to hear it, as it always makes me very sad (remembering my mum who died three years ago). I was glad when it was over...Then he asked if we have any requests. 'Patricia' was one of the requests, but he told us, that she is much too old....Then he sang (telling us that this was one of the requests, but he would have had sang it anyway) 'Spaceman' and the last one was 'Peaceful waters'. With the first tunes of LIR a few people went down to the front. But no rush as in Germany... I went to the front as well and during the song more and more people gathered in front of the stage (but still enough room for everyone). Wow, this was a long version of LIR, seemed like he never would make it back to the stage: So much cuddling.... Then it was time for the dancing part: Still my favourite part of the concert. And there was a mix of all ages in front of the stage. A six year old girls on the arms of her dad and beside them a lady in her seventies. And two teenager girls, who seemed to be big fans of Chris. And you could see that all of them were having a great time. So did I. Only one song was missing: 'Say goodbye it all'. It wasn't on the setlist that night. But when Chris came back after HOE, he told us that he would sing a little song for us, he had been taught by his grandma. It would be a song for special occasions (stupid me, I still didn't know what was following now...). And to my suprise 'Patricia' followed. The 'band version'. Some ladys were well prepared and bras were thrown onto stage....Wow, so good to see Patricia again. SONY was left out then (okay, I love SONY but to hear Patrica instead was definitely ok.) and the concert finished with 'Go where your heart believes'. I DID enjoy the concert very much!!!! After the show some some of us met in a hotelbar nearby and had a few drinks there. Great end of a perfect day. Sandra