Gilford, NH
August 26, 2004
Ok, where to begin? Let’s see, we got to the venue quite early- actually parked in the closest lot, so didn’t have trouble finding the car after! I had been emailing Andrea about her extra tickets, since the one I ended up with for Kryss was just not a good seat, so we were hanging outside the gate, waiting for her to call me. Maureen found me (bless this red hair!) and said she had sent me several messages about her extra ticket- which I never got! She still had it, tho a couple guys had approached her about it, saying they would get her an aftershow pass, but they never came back. She waited a bit, then said the heck with it, and I bought it from her. I knew it was front row, but when I looked at it- oh, yeah! Jon’s side! So, when Andrea called, I said we wanted at least one of her tix. Steph started digging around in her purse to see if she had the money to get the other one. I’m watching this, telling Andrea we are right in front of the ticket office- with Kryss standing there, watching this whole scene in amusement. Turns out, Andrea was standing not 10 feet away from me, looking around trying to find us! Kryss finally tapped me and said, “I think that’s her…” I looked over, and waved and we both went “Oh!” into the phones, hung ‘em up and a few seconds later, the girls both had 8th row, Jon’s side.
Maureen had said that they probably wouldn’t come in for the Fabulous Thunderbirds, so the girls sat with me in the front for that. When they moved back after Maureen and her family came in, the security guy gave me a little grief about the girls not having front row tickets, but, hey, he didn’t check when they sat down! So I just ignored it. The Tbirds were ok- good eough musicians, but the 3 or 4 tunes they did all sounded pretty much the same. They played for a half hour, maybe 40 minutes.
Ok, Journey time- the seats were good. When is front row not? But a little too far to the side. I was blocked a bit by the front of stage lights, but once we were standing, it was easy enough to adjust position and I had a great view of Jon’s butt when he was playing keys and, of course, on guitar, he was right up front. The stupid part is that the 2 people on the center aisle in our row never stood up once! In an ideal world, we would have been moved over three seats ( the guy with them at least stood- not much else, tho) and they could have sat very nicely on the far end. But I am not complaining!!!
We got the short set, so no Higher Place or Kiss Me Softly- darn! Maybe next week…. Set was (as I recall): Intro, Be Good to Yourself, Only the Young, SSB, Stone In Love, Wheel, Walks Like a Lady (Ross)- I think this is where it was; somewhere in this area, Lights, Chain Reaction, Voodoo Chile, Keep on Runnin’ (Dean), Piano Solo, Send Her My Love, Open Arms, Mother, Father (Deen), Rubicon, Edge of the Blade, Escape, Faithfully, Just the Same Way (Jon), DSB, Separate Ways, Anyway You Want It, LTS (Encore).
And it was just awesome from the first note! We were, of course, on our feet the entire time. Security was really tough about keeping people away from the stage, tho one or two got up and got a hand grab from Steve a couple times. But they did tell us on the front row that they were going to let people up to the stage for the encore and they let us know early enough so we were right there. Maureen even got them to take her over to Neal’s side early, so she could get right up to the stage over there! Steph & Kryss ended up right behind me at the stage, too! The guys were dead on all night, and looked like they were having the time of their lives up there! Neal was amazing- he was just rockin’ like you can’t believe and smiling and interacting with the crowd… Kryss said his SSB brought tears to her eyes! Voodoo Chile was great. Ross- what a clown! I got a “face” (who doesn’t?) and a kind of claw handed wave at one point. He was as solid as ever and what a voice! I never would have guessed! Great baritone and he nailed Walks Like a Lady- great job, Ross! Deen- couldn’t see him very well from where I was, just the gloves now and then, but he sounded great- both the drums and the vocals. It still amazes me that he can sing and play so intricately at the same time. Maureen got a drumstick- what does he do to those things?? Gnaw on them? It was shredded!! Note to Jim- Feed the drummer now and then, ok?? LOL Jon- what can I say? You all know me- I was in heaven! The piano solo was almost raucous- a lot wilder than I’ve heard up to now. I was standing there thinking: How the hell is he going to get this into Send Her My Love? But he did- with some very clever transitions and I think he went thru every key change in the book! He got up a couple times, came out to the front of the stage and did a spread hand “Well?” kind of thing- the place went wild, he sat down and played some more! But he mellowed it out at the end, and there was a definite stop before SHML started. It was probably the best solo I’ve heard him play yet. And the harmonica on LTS- I was standing, literally, right in front of him, and oh, wow! I think I stopped breathing for a moment or two! I got a big smile and wave at one point- melting! LOL And I got to touch him when he was at the edge of the stage shaking hands, too! I got a guitar pick after- different from the one I already have, so that was nice. Steve- OMG! He sounded incredible! He was in great voice all nite long and just all over the stage, dancing, jumping around. He is The Best! I got a point and big smile from him, too. The crowd obviously loved him, too, and he just got more and more into the fans reactions as the night went on! I love that man- he is just the perfect singer for Journey!
Fashion update: Steve- all in denim; long sleeve shirt and jeans. Nice, nice , nice- the man has a great butt! (Sorry, guys, but I AM a girl, after all!!! LOL) Neal- all denim, too- jeans and sleeveless Harley Davidson vest with a black sleeveless shirt under. Ross- jeans and a cool multi-colored shirt. Where does he get all those great shirts??? Deen- couldn’t see most of it, but black shirt and the gloves. Jon- tan pants (another nice butt and I had a the view to be able to tell!!! ) and a very form- fitting print shirt.
All in all, it was over way too soon, but it was a fantastic nite with a fantastic band. I can’t wait for Oakdale on Tuesday!!!!