#533, Hotel Quite Acceptable, Los Angeles.
A Saturday evening showtime of 21.00 gave me extra time to fine-tune several Lunar Module programmes after the soundcheck . These small incremental advances carried far greater significance for me than might be anticipated from a few small turns of dials: a minor volume adjustment, slight changes to chorusing here & there, a drying-up of one Eventide (I use two) to allow for the reverberance of halls.
The running lines of Larks' IV are now pretty close to staying in time - Pat has found a way of using a click satisfactorily, and holding the band close to it. For me, this is life-in-the-fast-lane becoming possible again - although being hung out to dry on a regular basis is no doubt good for the soul.
Tonight's performance at The Wiltern: a solid Crimson performance, and one of the shows I have most enjoyed on this tour. A large, contributory factor: the good, and strong, onstage sound. But something else was going on, and it was positive. The audience were supportive, although more restrained than most of the audiences we have had - this is Los Angeles, after all - but there was considerable goodwill in the room. In a word, the performance had integrity.
Now, dribbling gently and about to call Mother-in-Law Barbara in England to wish her a happy Mothering Sunday.
13.25
Pre-final packing to prepare for a drive to Anaheim, the last show of this part of this year's touring, and a drive to an LAX airport hotel after the performance. Members of the Crim caravan will then part before re-grouping in Tokyo on 9th. April. I have a morning flight home via another US city. Which city, I have no current idea. Regardless of my ignorance, United is very likely to fly me there, change planes, and then take me to London Heathrow for an early morning arrival. I have an important meeting in Bredonborough on Tuesday afternoon & I intend not to dribble through it.
Entering my day around 09.40, as wit gradually arrived, I called Barbara. She has had a wonderful Mothering Sunday with her family, she reports. A full Willcox clan took her to the Lygon Arms in Broadway for lunch. The famous Cotswolds town was hot & teeming, says Barbara.
Now, back to pre-final packing & guitar practicing.
"Cynicism is death to the artist."
