NE Dodge Music Center, Hartford, Cn. 11-3-07

Set One

Speak To Me
Breathe
On The Run
Time
Great Gig In The Sky
Money
Us And Them
Any Colour You Like
Brain Damage
Eclipse

Set Two

Shine On You Crazy Diamond 1-5
Learning To Fly
Take It Back
The Gunner's Dream
Nobody Home
Pigs (Three Different Ones)
On the Turning Away
Wish You Were Here
One Of These Days
Another Brick In The Wall Pt. 2
Shine On You Crazy Diamond 6-9 (short version)
Comfortably Numb

Encores
Hey You
Run Like Hell

This was my fifth Aussie show, first of this tour, so I'll comment first on the differences, then get into the raw details....
The line-up changed again for this tour, staples of the band Damian Darlington on lead guitar and vocals, Jason Sawford on keyboards, Paul Bonney on percussion and Ian Cattell on bass and vocals were joined by Jamie Humphries on second guitar, Carl Brunsdon on sax and the lovely and talented Amy Smith, Andrea Grant and Bianca Antoinette on backing vocals. The Aussies unveiled a new stage set-up, light show and videos as well. Visually stunning as usual with another fabulous front of house mix by Gareth Darlington who let me nick his set list again for this review. Thanks Gareth!
One of my favorite parts of the shows I've attended so far is bringing someone new to the fold of Aussie fans, this time my girlfriend Sandra was the lucky virgin...he he he...she was as impressed as my former guests to shows...We were treated to the usual outstanding Aussie reception (I know, I'm spoilt, deal witH it), 12th row center seats, full access to the venue and the band before and after the show. I cannot thank Ian and the band enough for their continued friendship and hospitality, they're true gentlefolks and my respect and admiration grows each time we meet.
Not wanting to sound too much like a whiner I'll go gently on the "negative" aspects.
I know the reasons for performing DSOTM again although I hoped for new material and as always the reading was fabulous. I must admit I missed Mike Kidson and the trio of singers I experienced last year, although Carl and the ladies had the audience in their hands at each solo. Rising up to embrace them each time, it was awesome to witness the crowds reactions, they were impressed, as they should've been. It seem to me there was different energy to the band Saturday night. Thinking of the placement of the date in the tour and the extended nature of the tour, it makes sense that the edge seemed sharper. I joked with Damian after the show with a "Groundhog's Day" reference, "Don't drive angry!". He looked a bit surprised by it, but it was a feeling on my part and my part alone. Jamie's fiery blasts again played nicely to Damian's note for note solos although it seemed that Damian went a bit more outside the box than last year and I loved that. He always gets the solos everyone knows note perfect, but when he cut it loose a bit the edge blended with Jamie in a very unique way. Being close enough to see the eye contact and interactions between them closed the deal for me. I thought it was brilliant. Paul and Jason were as steady as ever, having Jason at the front of the stage provided a much better view of him plying his craft, his sweeping soundscapes were accentuated by being able to watch him move with the music. Paul's riser seemed even taller this time, again, this could just be me and the thunder rolled evenly from the position. His timepiece like rhythms driving the band through the night with Ian's bass more "up in the mix' it seemed the combination was stronger. I also really like Jamie positioned at stage right, outside of Ian, making Ian and Damian more on an even keel sharing centerstage. Bookending Mr. Screen, they seemed balanced, with Jason at stage left the ladies were visually open, backed up by the large second screen and lifted by a taller riser affording the crowd better sight lines. Jamie doesn't need much assistance when it come to raw physical presence, this belied by his lightning runs and touch. Ian and Damian seemed to both be feeling the length of the tour vocally. I have no idea how they sustain their vocal abilities night after night with this rigorous schedule. I liked it though, it was almost as if they had to push a little and the timbre sharpen that edge I referred to earlier. As vibrant as this edge was, when the mood softened, we were still taken by the swing. OTTA and WYWH come directly to mind. The audience singing along and rising to their feet after almost each song left the band smiling and bowing longer than it seemed they were comfortable with. Yet another mark of the humility that exists within the outfit and it shows in every facet of the performance. I walked away with a huge smile on my face again, re-acquainted with my friends and watching them prove once again why they hold their status as the best at their craft. I'm very proud to call them my friends. Thanks for everything guys, see you in Scranton on Wednesday.

Greg

cevor Wrote:NE Dodge Music Center, Hartford, Cn. 11-3-07

Set One

Speak To Me
Breathe
On The Run
Time
Great Gig In The Sky
Money
Us And Them
Any Colour You Like
Brain Damage
Eclipse

Set Two

Shine On You Crazy Diamond 1-5
Learning To Fly
Take It Back
The Gunner's Dream
Nobody Home
Pigs (Three Different Ones)
On the Turning Away
Wish You Were Here
One Of These Days
Another Brick In The Wall Pt. 2
Shine On You Crazy Diamond 6-9 (short version)
Comfortably Numb

Encores
Hey You
Run Like Hell

This was my fifth Aussie show, first of this tour, so I'll comment first on the differences, then get into the raw details....
The line-up changed again for this tour, staples of the band Damian Darlington on lead guitar and vocals, Jason Sawford on keyboards, Paul Bonney on percussion and Ian Cattell on bass and vocals were joined by Jamie Humphries on second guitar, Carl Brunsdon on sax and the lovely and talented Amy Smith, Andrea Grant and Bianca Antoinette on backing vocals. The Aussies unveiled a new stage set-up, light show and videos as well. Visually stunning as usual with another fabulous front of house mix by Gareth Darlington who let me nick his set list again for this review. Thanks Gareth!
One of my favorite parts of the shows I've attended so far is bringing someone new to the fold of Aussie fans, this time my girlfriend Sandra was the lucky virgin...he he he...she was as impressed as my former guests to shows...We were treated to the usual outstanding Aussie reception (I know, I'm spoilt, deal witH it), 12th row center seats, full access to the venue and the band before and after the show. I cannot thank Ian and the band enough for their continued friendship and hospitality, they're true gentlefolks and my respect and admiration grows each time we meet.
Not wanting to sound too much like a whiner I'll go gently on the "negative" aspects.
I know the reasons for performing DSOTM again although I hoped for new material and as always the reading was fabulous. I must admit I missed Mike Kidson and the trio of singers I experienced last year, although Carl and the ladies had the audience in their hands at each solo. Rising up to embrace them each time, it was awesome to witness the crowds reactions, they were impressed, as they should've been. It seem to me there was different energy to the band Saturday night. Thinking of the placement of the date in the tour and the extended nature of the tour, it makes sense that the edge seemed sharper. I joked with Damian after the show with a "Groundhog's Day" reference, "Don't drive angry!". He looked a bit surprised by it, but it was a feeling on my part and my part alone. Jamie's fiery blasts again played nicely to Damian's note for note solos although it seemed that Damian went a bit more outside the box than last year and I loved that. He always gets the solos everyone knows note perfect, but when he cut it loose a bit the edge blended with Jamie in a very unique way. Being close enough to see the eye contact and interactions between them closed the deal for me. I thought it was brilliant. Paul and Jason were as steady as ever, having Jason at the front of the stage provided a much better view of him plying his craft, his sweeping soundscapes were accentuated by being able to watch him move with the music. Paul's riser seemed even taller this time, again, this could just be me and the thunder rolled evenly from the position. His timepiece like rhythms driving the band through the night with Ian's bass more "up in the mix' it seemed the combination was stronger. I also really like Jamie positioned at stage right, outside of Ian, making Ian and Damian more on an even keel sharing centerstage. Bookending Mr. Screen, they seemed balanced, with Jason at stage left the ladies were visually open, backed up by the large second screen and lifted by a taller riser affording the crowd better sight lines. Jamie doesn't need much assistance when it come to raw physical presence, this belied by his lightning runs and touch. Ian and Damian seemed to both be feeling the length of the tour vocally. I have no idea how they sustain their vocal abilities night after night with this rigorous schedule. I liked it though, it was almost as if they had to push a little and the timbre sharpen that edge I referred to earlier. As vibrant as this edge was, when the mood softened, we were still taken by the swing. OTTA and WYWH come directly to mind. The audience singing along and rising to their feet after almost each song left the band smiling and bowing longer than it seemed they were comfortable with. Yet another mark of the humility that exists within the outfit and it shows in every facet of the performance. I walked away with a huge smile on my face again, re-acquainted with my friends and watching them prove once again why they hold their status as the best at their craft. I'm very proud to call them my friends. Thanks for everything guys, see you in Scranton on Wednesday.

Greg

Thanks Greg -- I almost felt like I was there!

thanks Dan, I try my best...

Brilliant Greg, thanks.

Who's Greg? He sounds like a bit of a groupie to me.

nickc Wrote:Who's Greg? He sounds like a bit of a groupie to me.

see how I left out all of the naughty bits?

cevor Wrote:

nickc Wrote:Who's Greg? He sounds like a bit of a groupie to me.

see how I left out all of the naughty bits?

Put 'em back in, next time!!!

Centurion Wrote:

cevor Wrote:

nickc Wrote:Who's Greg? He sounds like a bit of a groupie to me.

see how I left out all of the naughty bits?

Put 'em back in, next time!!!

we'll see what happens tomorrow night at the pub!!

[/quote]

we'll see what happens tomorrow night at the pub!!
[/quote]

What is a "public house" anyway?

we'll see what happens tomorrow night at the pub!!
[/quote]

What is a "public house" anyway?
[/quote]


hmmmm...public eh? house eh? I've no clue either way......