Ghost Gums, Old Glory

Soul

I'm constantly amazed at the calibre of musical acts we get here now. Most recently we saw Seal at King's Park. 

This was a new venue for us, generally we go to Sandalford Winery which is absolutely gorgeous. We're both past the age where a concert at a stadium has any appeal, so we avoid those.

I called the restaurant at the park (which just happens to be where we got hitched!) to get a table for dinner before the show. I was told that people were driving around (at 3 in the afternoon!!) looking for parking. No matter, as we're eating there, we'd park in their lot.

It took us nearly 20 minutes to get into the park, there were that many cars lined up to turn in. People streaming across the grass, loaded down with their lawn chairs and picnic gear, quite a lot of excitement in the air!

We bought VIP tickets, which includes a cocktail reception before the show. 

We opted instead to eat a real meal at the restaurant, but you'll be happy to know I made it in time to throw a couple glasses of champagne down my neck. As we were standing at the bar, I noticed some people waving, as if they knew us.It turned out to be a couple of shopowners from here in town. Small world! They were a little worse for wear, what with the free liquor and just finger food to eat. 

We were led down to our seats - front row, baby! - and settled in. I spent some time looking around, the venue was absolutely jampacked.

About 20 minutes after the show started, people started to come and stand in front of us. Or try to, anyway. Finally, I stood up, and somehow I got dragged to the edge of the stage by our friends from earlier.

Ooh, what a show! I loved the fact that his horn section was all girl, and also that he wore his wedding ring.

As the night wore on, the women around me got bolder and bolder, rubbing his legs whenever he ventured to the front of the stage. It kind of creeped me out, to be honest. Before you ask, no, I wasn't fondling him.

The set list included music from his 'Soul' cd - featuring classics from artists like Sam Cooke, Al Green, Curtis Mayfield and Otis Redding- as well as a few of his own hits. 

I was impressed, he performed for a couple hours with no breaks, and he really gave it his all. What a wonderful night!

Our next concert: The B-52s!

Old Friends

So, we went to see Simon & Garfunkel. I didn't even know they were coming until a couple of weeks ago. When I found out, I rushed to get tickets, and there were still good ones available. YAY! Oh, but they were coming to Burswood, BOO!
The night of the concert comes, and we head down early to get dinner at the casino. First sign of trouble was the line of cars backed up to get in. We get in finally, and Stephen made a space at the end of a row in an already full lot. Walk over to the casino, and every restaurant is crammed. When I called, I was told that the one where we wanted to eat wouldn't open until 6 pm. We got there a little before 6, and it was already full!! With a queue out the front door. Bastards!
We walk back outside, and decide to try the hamburger shack on the hill above. Get all the way up there, and it's packed, too. At that point, Stephen's blood sugar crashed, and he was ready to go home. We ended up eating at one of the carts in the parking lot in front of the Dome.

On to the show! We get inside, and find our seats, and I am FREEZING! I wrapped my scarf around my head (having neglected to wear a hat). We're waiting, and waiting, and someone comes on the P.A. and says "We still have a lot of people in the parking lot making their way in, so we'll get started in a little while"... it ended up being about half an hour late. Art even commented on the temperature when they got started.

The music was amazing, the show was entertaining, we had a really good time once the concert started. One of the most entertaining parts of the evening- there is still a lot of tension in that relationship. They performed 'Slipsiding Away' together, and Paul Simon said  "If we hadn't broken up, I always thought this would have made a good Simon and Garfunkel song"...HA! Wow, way to twist the knife, Paul! Art was onstage alone doing some of his music (other than 'Brighteyes' from 'Watership Down', nothing anyone knew) Then they switched and Paul brought down the house with 'Boy in the Bubble' - he did a few from 'Graceland'. Then Art rejoined him onstage. They did 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' and I was impressed that Art still had that note at the end.

There was no opening act, and no intermission. Just the 2 of them onstage, often with just Paul's guitar, no band. We left after the second encore, (in an attempt to beat the traffic) and of course 'Cecelia' was the very last encore (they did 4). *sigh*

It was such an amazing experience - they are just legendary. I mean, they've achieved Muzak status. Looking their age, certainly, but the music was just as touching- as affecting- as ever.
I'm so happy we went, in spite of the drawbacks of Burswood.