Royal Albert Hall, London.
The day began, well almost began, as I was lying in the bath at Chez Horse, Chiswick, gently entering the day and feeling rough with sore throat & cold, tired after lotsa driving & arriving here from Nottingham last night around 02.00 -- my mobile went off.
Very few people know this number. Actually, only five; and I am not one of them. It was the same person who had hustled yesterday for an additional ticket to tonight's show, calling to apologise for calling - they hadn't been able to reach DGM - but yesterday's message was misunderstood: they needed two more extra tickets not one, a total of four. They were also happy to pay for the extras.
In which case, I wonder, why not call the RAH box office? Why call one of the principal performers on the morning of the show? Their daughter wanted to bring a boyfriend; this gave the parent a problem; they passed the problem to a performer. Me and my concerns are more important than the state of the performer; and therefore the performance is of lesser concern than my own concern for tickets. That the caller is one of our closest friends, well connected with actors & artists, is quite astonishing.
The conversation began:
Caller: how are you?
RF: tired.
Caller: I bet you are -- and then moved to tickets.
17.50 View From The Guitarist's Stool: Royal Albert Hall With Fruit --
View Of The Guitarist's Stool: David Singleton transfers programmes for the construction of Lunar Module II --
Billy Boy at the RAH --
23.50 The RAH is an event place, although not necessarily a place for a musical event. In other words, the sound sucks --
At least, that is my very personal opinion. To qualify, the sound sucks for rock groups and really sucks for loud rock groups. Against this, the building dignifies most that takes place within it, including rock groups of any amplitude. For Soundscapes, the acoustics + the spirit of the place are most supportive. Not quite Salisbury Cathedral but, as a secular space. this will do nicely.
Soundscapes: the first two pieces had something other about them, from where I was sitting, and the last piece was professional. The set was supported by sympathetic listening but, as on the rest of this tour so far, not everyone was convinced.
In my estimation, it was Steve's night. He was superb & radiating. Joe was, as always, excellent. My only reservation was the sound, as above. But the performances triumphed regardless.
The Satch Bus is about to overnight to Paris with T on board.
"The act of music is the music."
