Nashville review. (Yes, I'm still long-winded.)

[strandinthewind]

Well - I must say these last three days have been just incredible.

FIRST PART - GETTING TO THE CONCERT

On the way into Nashville from the airport, my S. Korean cab driver replied to me telling her why I was in town by saying she knew FM from the 70's as they used to frequent the restaurant where she worked. I'm like "this is a sign!" Then, Livia and I hooked up the day before the concert. After a hurried and whispered initial cell phone exchange (I unknowingly called during her tour of the famous "Studio B" in Nashville and she had forgotten to turn her cell phone off ), we by chance hooked up at a place called "Legends." All we could think of was the legend line in HAEWAFY. Then, the live band starts playing "All my ex's live in Texas," and Livia's from Texas. Also, we were seated pretty much next to this huge wall of albums; our table was mere feet from FM's "White Album." Then, we go to dinner at this great restaurant where the hostess/manager tells me one of the guys training to be a waiter is Billy Burdette's son. So, of course, I have to go immediately talk to him. He was very cool and looks a little bit like his dad. Then the bartender (we ate in the bar) tells us FM's manager had been in the rest. as well. After all of this, I am thinking, how many more FM coincidences could there be in one day. Well . . . .

THE DAY OF THE CONCERT

I awoke with a headache from the night before so I had a massage, lunch, and took in the Country and Western museum, the Tennessee State museum, and also walked around the very pretty city of Nashville. As I was getting ready, a biography of Janis Joplin was on the television. Then Livia, Tamara, and I hooked up at their beautiful hotel, where they have this huge neon jukebox in the lobby. One of the records they allegedly had was "The Wild Heart" but we could not find it on the juke box. So, we hung out for awhile and then were off to the concert. We hung out at the same restaurant where Livia and I ate the night before as it is across the street from the venue (which by the way looks like the hat Cher wore with that off white outrageous Academy Award outfit for (I think) the Moonstruck nomination.). Some former soap opera star (Ryan Scott) sat next to us for awhile, which was kind of cool. He was going to the concert. Then we hung out around the concert venue for awhile which was a very cool way to see all of the people, etc. Then, we went into the arena . . .

THE CONCERT GOING ON'S (SONG REVIEW IS BELOW THIS)

My seat was incredible. I am very tall (6'4") so I was a little worried about standing and blocking the view fo the first five rows behind me. But, I was just off to the side enough to where I blocked no one but, of course, Neal Preston as he was trying to take pictures. We joked about it. He was very cool and I then made a huge effort to stay out of his line of sight, etc. I must say meeting Tracy was great. She was the perfect calming effect to my "mania" that night due in part to the excitement of the concert and a few (oh alright many) cocktails!!!! And, yes, Tracy you are a dish and so deserve to have all of those guys ask you out!!!!!!! The funny thing was when Tracy started taking pictures, the security guard politely tells me to tell her to stop. So, after much discussion, I think Tracy convinced them to let her take pictures without the flash, etc. Way to go Tracy. Then about three or so songs into the concert this 60 something year old woman dressed like Stevie apparently starts telling the security guard she knows me and that she should be allowed to come to me, etc. Well, this woman had spoken to me and Livia briefly before the concert but that was it. I told this to the security guard who seemed to know this woman and what she apparently was up to. This was a strange experience for me, because I was scared they would get mad at me for this woman's antics. Thankfully, they did not. I shook LB's had twice and he more than once nodded to me and the group when he was sitting on the side of the stage during "World Turning." No one had a better LB moment than Livia as she mentioned earlier!!!!! We were all in awe of that!!! Then - be still my heart - Stevie nodded and sort of winked at me during Goodbye Baby; she also touched my hand during one song - thank goodness for my height and wingspan as they enabled her to reach me. People around me freaked out a little. She also bowed to me after I bowed to her when she was standing on the side of the stage at the end of the concert!!!!!!!! It was heavenly!!!! Both of them could not have been nicer or more crowd friendly.

THE CONCERT ITSELF

The Chain - great - I missed a little of it arguing with the security guy over Tracy's camera LOL!!!

Dreams - I always say drop it, but then when I am there I love it

Peacekeeper - I agree it is a boring song - but they sounded great during it

Eyes of the World - they looked like they were having a party on stage. It was great to see them have so much fun during a song. Yes, I too loved "the eyes-widening thing as she's singing her parts."

Second Hand News - Great - esp. the Stevie bam bam bams

Rhiannon - she got up on it for a few moments at the end. It made my eyes a little tearful to see a glimpse of this history. I believe she also pointed at the crowd when she sais "Well I don't think you do" after the "Would you even try line."

Never Going Back Again - not my fav. song, but great in concert, esp. her harmony

Come - I was about four feet from Stevie when she walked across the stage and touched Lindsey's left arm at the elbow. I thought I saw her lips say something to the effect of knock em dead. But I cannot be sure. LB was on fire in this.

Landslide - stunning esp. with the finger flashing thing - no sparks during the hug.

Big Love - I like it, but needed a bathroom, booze break.

Say Goodbye - great song. LB is the king on this one as well

What's the World Coming - really good

Beautiful Child - the stuttering during the intro. was cute/funny. She stumbled over her initial words and then ribbed herself by saying something like "wouldn't it be great if I could say something" and sort of shook her head as if to say "aren't I a big dummy who can't even start a sentence correctly" LOL

Gold Dust Woman - show-stopper. Those blood red nails against that gold shawl esp during the spider fingers part - YIPES!!!! The pose at the end was great and little like the one at the end of The Dance. The go home part was also a little severe though nothing like the one on The Dance version

ISA - like it and love LB on it.

Silver Springs - I moved away from my spot because Neal Preston was taking pictures. I actually spent more than one song staying out of the way - but I am cool with it because he was so nice to me about it. I sort of just moved a few feet further back and little to the side. However, at one point a new security lady and I got into it because I told her I could not go back where I was because the band's photographer was taking pics. Fortunately, the big African American security guy that dealt with the Stevie look a like earlier came to the rescue and let me stand while the pics were being taken. Tracy - congrats on obtaining a date during this song, which is hysterical if you think about it. I mean of all times and places . . . .

Tusk - The head butt drama is great. I hope they do it in Atlanta so Sulamith and I can roll with laughter.

Stand Back - I agree with Tracy "one of Stevie's best live moments this tour" although I was way to the side on this one trying to stay out of the way of the photographer. I must agree with Tracy about LB in this song as well as in other songs - he is so awesome to the fans this tour. He totally singles you out and gives you that moment where he is completely focused on you and no one else. He did this to me at least once and perhaps twice.

Go Your Own Way - great - At some point around the time of this song, I basically yanked Livia over to the front row from the second - so she totally has me and me alone to thank for the half of an hour hand holding (puff - puff!!! - LOL)

World Turning - I think Mick just needs to lose the solo and stay behind the drums - I am sorry if that offends anyone - but it is just an annoying distraction for me; that time (five or so minutes) could be another song. But, if anyone really gets into it then great and I guess they should keep it in for them. The coolest thing was LB siting on the edge of the stage about ten feet from us and sort of discreetly waving and nodding to "us."

Don't Stop - Stevie is so great in CM's part.

Goodbye Baby - perfection

It was so great to meet all of my online friends, Liviaa, Tamara, Tracy, Torri, and everyone else!!!!