Report from the Road #8

[Connie Scarborough <connie.scarborough@xxxxxx>]

Dateline:  June 30, downtown Cleveland after an exhausting drive from Grand
Rapids.

In attendance at last night's show in Grand Rapids:  Connie, Ann Marie,
Rita, Tony G., Tom "the Worm", Terry and Valerie, Denise and Greg, Grant,
Greg S., Dardo, Nancy, Dan and Andy (our Canadian buds), et al

The setlist remains the same but tonight's show was the epitomy of Tight
But Loose (Copyright Dave Lewis).
Van Andel Arena is a new and small (7000) venue--the smallest we've been in
so far--created a nice intimate atmosphere.

Fashion Report:  Robert in the red and black silk shirt and those
second-skin shiny silver (we can alliterate when we try) trousers and
buckskin boots.  Jimmy--same ole same ole (in future reports, Jimmy will be
excluded until he finds a fashion).  Take our word for it, Jimmy looks
pudgier on stage than off.

Highlights:  Lili has a new song in her setlist.
Wanton Song--Jimmy's solo was a bit shorter, but spot on.  Robert was
really hamming it up tonight --very obvious but effective.  His voice was
in great shape as well.  Just as I say that I notice my notes say that he
had a slight crack of the voice in BIOH.  But by Heartbreaker, Robert hit
all the high notes and more.  Jimmy was really ballsey in this one and he
put on a new ending.  Robert was in excellent voice for Ramble On and
Jimmy's playing was very dynamic.  Robert was dancing about and very
energetic.  Jimmy worked the whammy bar to the max on WIC and Jimmy and
Robert swayed together and bobbed their head like the old days during
Achilles.  Jimmy's solo in WIC was incredible.  Phil blew the intro on No
Quarter--and played the bare minimum--the first night we thought Phil
didn't do his best.  Jimmy took a cigarette break during the keyboard solo.
 Jimmy and Robert pulled this one out but not as good as other nights we've
seen.  Phil was introduced as still adjusting to American etiquette (didn't
know we had any frankly).  Shining in the Light was introduced as an
optimistic song--Jimmy danced about.  Jimmy's accents before the chorus
were more punctuated--not as melodic as on the record but real evidence of
how Jimmy can change the "treatment" of a song.  Robert continued in
excellent voice.  Robert gave a little speech before GtC about how they
used to sit down and play in Led Zep (big applause at mention of the group
name)--how they had liked to vary the music, but that now it was called
"folk rock."  He also said that GtC was one of their favorite songs and it
was about changing one's mind and then changing it again, and then etc.
etc.  Robert didn't hit the high note on "never let them tell you that
they're all the same."  He sang "sometimes my baby sings" during the break
and Jimmy threw in a long segment of finger picking before the end of GtC.
I just love that new intro to Tangerine--great dynamics.  Before Gallows
Pole Robert said that the song had been adopted by black Americans,
imported to England and masticated and brought back  to Grand Rapids.
Needless to say, the word "masticated" got a lot of grins and laughs from
the band.  After the song Robert asked if it was Monday--well, yes, Robert
it was.  HIYH was introduced as a new song we're proud of--this song is a
great example of light and shade.  Jimmy struck one note with an apparent
wrong setting because he looked disgusted, switched one of his pedals and
then started a phenomenal BIGLY--the best we've seen and the true highlight
of the evening.   Robert said HMMT was a little jazz for the Motel
6--changes in tempo during the solo and the bow section was longer than in
Detroit.  Ann Marie said it seemed like the longest bow solo in history
since the security guard watched her like a hawk as she tried to snap a few
photos.  In the Light was the insert and very well done.  Jimmy was jumping
by the end--lots of smiles all round.  Jimmy was on fire duirng Most High.
Robert commented that they'd never been to Grand Rapids before and "from us
to you, big love."  Robert said it was fun to see familiar faces in Grand
Rapids and talked about the "traveling led heads" (wonder who he was
talking about?)  With that we were into WLL.  The theremin section was
short but flashy.  Encores were Thank You and Rock and Roll--Jimmy
"wind-milled" his arm, jumped and drove the crowd crazy.  An "all holds
off" night--a bit experimental and rough in the best sort of way--I think
we like it rough.

At the end, Tom the Worm held up his "Surrender the Earl's Court video"
sign and we got on the video screen at the venue by holding up our "Ohhhhh
Jimmy" banner.  Robert and Jimmy both acknowledged it, laughed, and blew
kisses.  

It's good to be in Cleveland for four days--we really need to do laundry
and get to bed before 4 am.  We're off tomorrow for Pittsburgh and we'll
fill you in on our impressions.  

Trying to keep my friends alive,
Connie