Mashantucket, CT
September 28, 2003
OMG, what can I say? The Foxwoods show last nite was absolutley awesome! The guys were dead on all nite and looked to be enjoying themselves up there, despite the part of the audience that wasn’t exactly the most enthusiastic ever. But I guess that’s what you get at a venue like that- a fair portion of the audience is casino guests, who don’t necessarily care whose playing…. Anyway, there wasn’t a no standing policy at this one, so those of us who were there to see our guys were on our feet the whole time, of course! Our seats weren’t too bad- we were in the second section, up a level from the floor, maybe 9 rows from the stage in all. It’s a small room- about 1900 seats, I think we discovered, so, all in all, it was not a terrible location.
They played for about 2 ½ hours, and they played hard! Steve was fantastic, as usual. He wore dark pants and a white shirt. At one point, during a Neal solo, he climbed down off the stage into the audience and was standing there with all the “regular” folk at the front of the stage. Looked like he was trying to get Neal to come down, too, but Neal wasn’t about to try that! J Neal was his usual amazing self- he just awes me more every time I see him play. The SSB was incredible, tho there WERE people who didn’t stand, even for that- go figure! He wore jeans, a black t-shirt and red shirt. Ross was Ross- silly faces, squirting water into the audience, just having fun- and still, always right there with those terrific bass parts. His outfit was dark pants, black t-shirt and the black shirt with the big gold dragon on back. Deen- Oh, wow! The boy can sing- can he ever! Mother, Father was terrific. And the drumming- man, he is just such a powerhouse on the drums! I still don’t know how he can play in long sleeves like he does- I was melting, just watching him! J And what’s with the ghetto pants? He looked like he was wearing a straight jacket that got untied there with all the straps and things hanging off those shorts! J And, Jon- let’s see, he played, sang, shirt was open a good portion of the concert- I was happy! J J He is really getting into that harmonica and sounding really good on it, too. He was wearing dark pants and a red flowered shirt. They all looked like they were having a great time- smiling, interacting with the audience- just a great show, start to finish.
Gibby Ross is an amazing percussionist- I really enjoyed his part at the end of the concert. I never really payed that much attention to the Santana stuff- like the music, but not rabid (sorry, Neal! J ), but this guy is really good! And Neal singing Black Magic Woman was great.
And then, the very best part for me was getting the backstage pass (Thank you, thank you, Joy and Stephanie!!!! I love you both!) Joy had an extra and she offered it to us and Steph said, “You take it, Mom. You’ve been a fan longer.” Is that a sweet daughter, or what???? So I actually got to talk to the band! I was so glad I decided to bring the stuff I needed signed with me! Got the drumhead that Neal missed signing autographd, so now the set is complete. I brought the “shrine” Steph made for the Jonathan Cain guitar pick and he signed the picture- personalized it, too! He thought the shrine was “cool!” And he noticed my necklace- I was wearing my silver heart, scarab and music note necklace, as I always do. He said it was neat. Got a kiss on the cheek from Steve- I may never wash that cheek again! J And Steve signed my Arrival CD booklet. Got pictures with Neal signing the drumhead, and one with Ross, Jon and Deen and the drumhead. In that picture, I’m kind of squished between Jon and Deen- not a bad place to be at all! J I’m surprised I’m not blurry in the picture- I was shaking so badly!
We did not make the pre- or after-show get-togethers… Steph couldn’t get into the BB King nightclub because she’s not 21 yet! Two months shy of it and they wouldn’t let her in- even with –two- of us vouching for the fact that she would not be drinking! L It was a great nite, anyway. Now, when is the next one?!?!?