| Welcome to the DECEMBER Tour!
On The Road With MaggieMay... Thursday dawned pleasant and sunny and we whiled away the morning sharing the sunshine and coffee and our thoughts on the first concert of the tour. We were reluctant to leave our lovely hotel and absentmindedly scratched at our dozens of little bug bites as we packed. I had always thought "noseeums" were a plague of the Michigan variety, but discovered that they are an annoyance in Florida as well. We'll definitely pack a can of Off next time. We were looking forward to a full day of Moody Fun. In addition to the evening's concert, we had been generously invited for an afternoon of food and conversation by Pat, one of the Higher and Higher Board moderators. I do not post on H&H (moderated boards violate my sense of the 1st Amendment), but SueC and Blueglow are an active part of that Moody community. I went along as their hanger-on, hoping that they would tolerate me. I felt pretty sure they would since I had all the evenings' Weasel tickets safely tucked inside my purse. You can be absolutely sure of not being left at the side of the road if you keep everyones' tickets on you! LOL Pat was lovely and her dear husband Art VERY tolerant of the shindig. We made ourselves at home, patting her dog and eating her potato salad. A number of other friendly H&Hers were there. People were very pleased with the prior night's concert and with the new cd. The road has been uncommonly quiet and smooth. (But it's early!) Our biggest thing has been screwing with the Hertz Never Lost. We had a small piece of luck on our arrival; when arranging for our car at the counter, the clerk inexplicably told an odd story (apropos of nothing) about his Timex watch and how it was *just* as good as an overpriced Rolex which only idiots would buy. I listened mirthlessly and when he finished his small tirade, I leaned forward and showed him my watch. It's a Rolex. We left in a brand new Town Car at the price of our reserved Taurus. ; ) Hubby has begged for a GPS for years and I have shot him down every time. Honey, I was wrong and you're getting one for Christmas (he doesn't waste his time reading what I write). It is the GREATEST invention since sliced bread! We have had more fun with this damn thing, and SueC has nearly run the car off the road in hysterical laughter. It took a little time to figure it out, and it does have limitations. It's strong point is the option to enter a major intersection. For those who don't know, Never Lost is a satellite system that *knows* where you are at all times and has the capability of directing you with a palm pilot sized screen to your destination. The online map is supplemented by vocal directions. This is where the fun lies! We entered in the intersection nearest to our hotel, but decided to go a slightly different way. We drove for several miles with the Never Lost Lady shouting "MAKE U TURN! MAKE U TURN!" I swear her voice became more strident and insistent with each errant mile. We can't get enough of it! I only wish Magellan had thought to use Majel Roddenberry's voice. THE VENUE The Van Wezel (or The Weasel as I've referred to it all summer) was built in the late 60s. I don't know if it was painted PURPLE when it was built, but it's purple now. A LOT of purple. It backs up against the water, has loads of parking and is well marked and easy to get to. It's very convenient. Parking was filling quickly for the evening's concert, but we had reserved parking which worked out quite well once we figured out where it was. There were no obvious security guards at the door and a peak into my purse was not a requirement of entry. We had to ask twice how to get to our seats and waded thru a large crowd of mellow (and oblivious) yuppies in the lower lobby. SueC peered out the outside door near our seats and announced that we had walked all the way around the building and had ended up very close to our car. LOL Well, at least we would know how to leave. The Weasel looks to be almost the same setup as Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. The auditorium has 3 rows of pit seats and then a large orchestra section. The bad thing about the Weasel like Ruth Eckerd is the absence of any aisles within the seating. Long rows stretch across the entire auditorium from one side to the other. If you do not pay careful attention to your ticket location, ie left or right, you might have to walk all the way to the stage in order to cross the venue. Plenty of people did! LOL There is no balcony. The pit had temporary purple striped seats placed on a burgundy vinyl floor. It was a very small front row, about 11 seats, but the 2nd row fanned out past the front row, making it seem larger. The pit was temporary and moved enough to remind you of that during the concert. There was a 3 foot burgundy wall in front of me and a small gap between the wall and the 4 foot stage. It looked like a long way into the basement of the venue. The Weasel is guilty of a common venue crime - their online seating chart does not resemble reality. The pit did not have a center aisle for this concert and seat 1 left was directly next to seat 1 right. This was a happy accident for MaggieMay, a chance to enjoy my favorite music in the world with a like-minded friend on either side. It just doesn't get any better than that! The stage is much more generous at the Weasel (as it was at the Mann) in comparison to the cramped quarters of the popular Fox Theaters. There was plenty of room for equipment and the stage was also quite deep. Now that I hate! The mikes seemed even further back at the Weasel than they had been the previous night at the Mann in Fort Myers, at *least* 6, and perhaps 8 feet. I noticed Norda's mike was set back a little farther than the Jays' mikes. Speakers were located at both far ends of the stage: 1 front fill angled toward the audience and 3 large boxes. I didn't see anything flying. The general decor of the Weasel is stark and plain (works well for me). The most significant thing about The Van Weasel Theatre in Sarasota can be described in two little words: SOLD OUT! THE FASHION REPORT JL - White long-slvd shirt (new!), thin and silky with placket, leathers, boots, 2nd half black, long-slvd shirt with ruffle JH - Sherbet, long-slvd shirt, BLUE JEANS, studded boots, 2nd half white cattleman's shirt, black jeans GE - Jimi Hendrix shirt, black slacks, 2nd half - hula shirt Bernie - Black top, white slacks Norda - Black flamenco skirt, sleeveless striped top, short boots Almost all of the evening's excitement is in the fashion news. Damn, there's a LOT going on up there, clothes-wise! JL's new shirt of the evening was a beauty, full and flowing. I can't describe the intricate placket on the front, but it was VERY lovely. I looked and looked and LOOKED at that thing, and I *still* can't describe it. The back of it (courtesy of TSIYE) looked just as fabulous. VERY nice! JH came out in a personal favorite (mine if not his. lol) - the purple/pink western shirt of the summer tour.  It's
an incredible look paired with Blue Jeans and The Studded Boots.
For the second half, he came out in another BIG winner - a white denim
cattleman's shirt and BLACK jeans. Wow! The shirt is FABULOUS!
It's a good weight denim, snaps on the two breast pockets and down the
placket, with a rounded hem and was worn untucked. I couldn't help
but notice that it was slightly fitted. ; ) It had a
high collar that framed his face, and was unbuttoned to mid chest.
The effect was of a dashing young cavalry officer. It was comfortable
in the Weasel, but Justin looked a little warm onstage. Glowing.
Though the Jays new shirts were pretty damn phenomenal, it was Ms Mullen who knocked my socks off. Norda came out in one of the most incredible, fantastic stage outfits I've ever seen! The full, black flamenco skirt was angled in front and had a fabulous "bustle" of ruffles on her left side.  She
paired it with black hose and mid calf black boots, and a complimentary
black striped sleeveless top. It was just a knock out look for her.
The skirt moved very well onstage in response to her delicate movements.
I've seen a lot of people try to make some kind of fashion statement on
stage, but rarely is it successful. THIS was successful. All
right Norda!
THE CONCERT The sold out crowd at the Weasel was treated to an excellent concert. The Moodies are two for two. The 2003 setlist was played in its entirety with a twenty minute intermission. There's very little to say! A few concert notes... We were treated to another smooth start and a fine rendition of Lovely to See You. Gemini Dream went smoothly, but I noticed Justin having some small guitar problems on Tuesday Afternoon. He did not wear his signet ring again on Thursday night, and SueC said that there was a nick on his knuckle (middle finger, right hand). JH again had some minor guitar errors (minor, but noticeable) on English Sunset, and omitted the guitar flourishes on that song. The jam was simply fantastic, wild! He did an outstanding job on it. I now know why Justin Hayward ALWAYS wears socks on stage! <snicker> JH got into the um..."unrevealed" history of TMB in his introduction to The Actor. (Paraphrased to the max - and it's too bad because it was QUITE good!) The next song is from an album we brought with us on our first tour of America in 1968 - In Search of The Lost Chord. We played psychedelic stores, festivals and love-ins. (Wicked look comes into those blue eyes) We kept our socks on! Need to keep a little mystery! I have to say, it was rather brilliant. : ) And funny as hell! I've learned to watch out for the moments that Justin lets loose. You don't know WHAT that boy will say! Guess I'll be checking for SOCKS from now on. LOL I do love a mystery. The Justin's sock-filled moment was delightful, but he didn't mention December as he had the night before at Mann. I wonder about Joe Average Guy who came to the Weasel, enjoyed the concert then hit the merchandise booth as he walked out, saw the tshirts and the new tourbook and said, "What the hell is this"? LOL While I admire the Moodies stated distaste for rushing the holiday season and even sympathize with it, I have to say it wasn't a problem for Jethro Tull in August. Put aside your concerns and play just a couple of songs. I'm a Charles Dickens fan and I believe Christmas is in your heart every day of the year. It can be on stage, too! Bring on the December Snow. : ) IKYOTS had an extra punch in it at the Weasel. Graeme Edge and his partner in crime got everyone to their feet at the drum crescendo. Minor guitar work problems again for Justin on TSIYE; I've seen more the last two concerts than in the entire past year. Let me emphasize that they are MINOR and only mentioned as a relevant observation. The second half began well with a dancin' JH at the mike. Justin had QUITE a surprise before ILS when he went to plug Big Red in. No Transmitter! And worse - no attentive guitar tech! Justin gestured repeatedly toward the monitor board side of the stage to no avail. When John B finally appeared, it was time for JH to step up to the mike and he made a stop gesture to John B.  I bet
that was a pisser! There's nothing sadder than a man with an impotent
guitar. LOL When John came up to sing, JH stepped back and
gestured JohnB over with his head and got "fixed up". He had to lean
over and pull up his shirt. And to think I used to find ILS boring!
LOL I take it that the transmitter was laying on the floor still
attached to the blue jeans of the first half. Mmmmmm Hey, a
little inconvenience was worth it. The black jeans set off the white
denim shirt much better than the blue would have done.
SueC particularly liked the keyboards on TOSOL tonight. I ALWAYS love TOSOL, keyboards or not. A nice, dark SCARY song. Higher and Higher was special tonight. Graeme Edge came to his mike and announced "This is my hometown!" to wild applause and cheering. He threw EVERYTHING into his performance and it was one for the books. Fantastic! We had more Irish dancing and I think Michael Flatly should watch out. Great song, GREAT performance! And the crowd went wild! The rest of the concert went smoothly and Nights included a wicked fall back that almost knocked me down. <shiver> Great ending, happy people who left SATISFIED. And lighting a cigarette as they walked out the door! (Probably checking for "socks" too! HAHA) MaggieMay Time, take this sadness from me, Time, bring my heart back safely, Hold on to warm September, Life can be like December Snow. Photos courtesy of SueC |
| Melbourne |
