| Wang
Center
We left my favorite NYC hotel by taxi for our train to Boston. We’ve been asked by The Band “how” we do it, and we use every possible mode of transportation: planes, trains and automobiles. The Amtrak to Boston was pleasant, if not up to the standards of The Flying Scotsman. I was very pleased to discover a 120-volt plug on the wall next to my seat, and I spent the three hours quietly writing to the sound of Heart of Steel. I’ve given up worry about the probable brain damage I’m causing, and only hope that I will be oblivious to it. We arrived safely, having spent the last 45 minutes of the trip traveling at a mind-bending 20 miles an hour, due to track light problems. We took a taxi to our hotel and proceeded to ready ourselves for the evening concert. I was disappointed not to run into any native Bostonians; the only accent I heard was Bosnian. Sigh Sometimes 24 hours isn’t nearly enough time in a particular city, sometimes it’s way too long! I’ll have pleasant memories of Boston; unlike our time in Paris, we were spared the squalid side of the city. THE VENUE The Wang Center is a GORGEOUS venue! It was old, ornate and very intimate after the magnificence of RCMH. Obviously, my membership money will be spent to good use! Membership provided me with a third row pit seat AND a tax deduction. ; ) The town of Boston welcomed the Moodies with an enthusiastic, sold out audience, reminding me again how much a lively audience contributes to the concert experience: for me, if not for The Band. THE FASHION REPORT RT- White long slvd shirt, black slacks GE- Jimi Hendrix shirt, black slacks, Flag shirt second half JH- White “ruched” long slvd shirt, black jeans, no change at half JL- Black oxford shirt, black slacks, white long slvd “bib” shirt second half THE CONCERT The permanent setlist was performed with an intermission. Sound was ok (hard to tell from the front), not as clear as Newark, but ok. ES included the teacup that had been missing in the prior concerts. Frankly, I had wondered where it was! The most unusual (and not in a good way) aspect of the Boston performance was the utter trashing of English Sunset. It started off well, but the second verse went: We keep the faith alive, (Justin makes face) Rolling down the track! It was a great recovery, but the damage had been done, and nothing was going to go right after that. : ( The struggle was awful to watch. JH missed one of the guitar parts, not playing it badly, but playing something “else”. A fan said to me that she wondered what the hell he was doing, and so did he! My favorite part of that song is the last time Justin sings “I saw the English Sunset” where I traditionally clasp my hands over my heart and deeply sigh. That moment disappeared entirely! It was absolutely and unequivocally the worst it has ever been performed. It has had the effect (once the shaking stopped) of making me appreciate the 100 perfect renditions Mr Hayward has served me on a silver platter, and I shan’t hold this one against him, as long as he promises never to do it again. I can only admire him for not stomping off the stage, handing Big Red to Dan, and walking out of the theatre to Atlantic City, to live his final years as an anonymous street person. Boy, “I” would have! I couldn’t hear the Olson during The Actor and I was 15 feet from it. Was it on? It is such a treat to see Graeme’s obvious enjoyment of that piece, and I love to watch him sing along with Justin. I really noticed the drum part during “the sound, I have heard in your hello”; it gives the song such strength. YWD saw GE barely missing poor Paul with an errant drumstick. Paul seems tough though, and just ducked. Your Wildest Dreams was the crowd favorite of the evening, with loud attendant clapping and a huge ovation. The harmony in NIWS was special tonight, giving me delicious goosebumps. It was perfect. I noticed something different at Boston, something that had been nagging me since the beginning of the tour, waking me up in the middle of the night. I finally put my finger on it tonight. Bernie! I hadn’t noticed her on this tour. I think the fruit has finally ripened, and Miss Barlow has found her place in The Band, contributing lovely vocals to the harmony of That-Sound. FML is still a bit heavy, but things are sounding good. Gorgeous venue, good concert! MaggieMay |
Uncasville