Spain

Not the song, the country.

Some of the greatest/strangest/funniest experiences of my life have occurred with bands. This trip was no different.

I was again hired to play guitar for a Louis Armstrong tribute show in Spain based on the success of the performances we did in France last year.

The band consisted of...

Longineu Parsons - trumpet/vocals
Von Barlow - drums
Lawrence Buckner - bass
Willerm Delisfort - piano
Diron Holloway - clarinet/saxophone

...also making the trip was Ira Everett (tour manager)

The easiest way to detail the experiences is to just follow the intinerary and comment...

Thursday (2/9) - Travel to Barcelona

This involved a flight from L.A. to Chicago, Chicago to Madrid and then Madrid to Barcelona.
On a journey of this length, i've learned to force myself to sleep "by any means necessary".

Being that a window seat is mandatory, when I finally received by flight information (Wednesday morning) my first move was to try and acquire said window seat online. Wrong.

Bad Sign #1 was when I couldn't attach the flight number to an airline I recognized (IB prefix).
Turns out it's Iberia, supposedly the largest airline in Spain.
Get to their website only to find out that I can't do a check-in from the U.S.

The other issue on these long flights is what happens to my guitar.
Those of you that read about my trip to France know what occurred there.
Since i've got 4 items, my game plan is to check 2 and carry-on 2 (one of which being my guitar).

Once I got to the airport, I found out that Iberia has been acquired/partnered by/with American Airlines.
Found the approriate ticket window and prepared for the "You have to check that guitar." hassle.
Strangely enough, it didn't happen until I got to the gate where I had to do a "Gate Check".
This meant they would take the guitar right at the plane's entrance and return it to me when I exited in Chicago.
I could live with that.

The subsequent legs (Chicago/Madrid and Madrid/Barcelona) were smooth sailing.
I carried the guitar onto the flight and stashed it in the overhead bin.

Bad Sign #2 happened during the Madrid/Barcelona leg of the journey.
On 2/5 of this year, Barajas Airport opened...Terminal 4...


http://www.expatica.com/s...=27384&RSS

...from this point forward said with reverb and followed by a doom laden orchestra stab.

Iberia flights were reassigned to this terminal. When I got to the gate I was greeted by the dreaded DELAYED indicator.
Within an hour's time I was subjected to no less than 3 different gate changes for the flight to Barcelona.

Needless to say, Iberia's acclimation to...Terminal 4...was not going well. More on this later.


Friday (2/10) - Arrive in Barcelona - FREE TIME

Got off the plane and headed for baggage claim expecting the worst.
However after a short wait my 2 checked bags show up.

Based on the full band's flight schedule I had, my flight was scheduled to arrive at around 10am approx. 30 mins later than the rest of the group.
I was the only one coming from L.A. and everyone else was arriving from Florida.

Bad Sign #3 - I get into the terminal and don't see anyone from the band.
After about 30 minutes of looking around the airport, I pulled out my cel phone to give Longineu a call.
Then I quickly realized that our cel phones would be useless in Europe.
At this point, I figured the thing to do was to take a cab to the hotel and suss things out from there.

We were booked into the Hotel Catalonia Castellnou...



...located in the Tres Torres section of Barcelona.


Once I got to the hotel the receptionist informed me that I was the 1st member of the band to arrive.
Went up to my room, stashed my gear and laid down to rest while wondering where the fellows were.
Being tired from the flight, I fell asleep and woke up a few hours later when the phone rang.
It was a lady from the concert promotion office asking me if i'd heard from anyone.
I told her no and agreed to call her back if I did. By this time is about 3pm and i'm starting to get worried.
Took a shower and decided to take a walk around the neighborhood. Once back at the room there's still no word from anyone.
As a diversion, I flipped on the TV and watched the Winter Olympics opening ceremony.
I'm sitting there thinking the worst when the phone rings. It's Selma from the production company informing me that Longineu just called from the airport in Barcelona and is on his way to the hotel. Big sigh of relief.

An hour later there's a knock on the door. It's Longineu. We make plans to go to the restaurant on the corner for dinner.
Turns out that Diron, Willerm and Lawrence made the flight (which was delayed and rescheduled a number of times) with him but all of them except Lawrence hadn't received their luggage yet.
Head back to the hotel after dinner, take a shower and prepare for some much needed sleep.

Woke up at 3am.
Went out on the terrace, lit a cigarette...



...and took this shot of the the street.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Saturday 2:30pm - Travel to L'Auditori (concert venue)

Got up and went down to the hotel restaurant...



...for their complimentary buffet breakfast.


Back up to the room and did some practicing before sound check.
Got the phone that the van had arrived to take us to L'Auditori.

Went down to the lobby and ran into...



...Willerm and Diron chillin' on the couch.

Found out that Von and Ira didn't arrive until around midnight. The airline had also lost their luggage.

Into the van...



...and away we go.


3:00pm - Sound Check

L'Auditori is a relatively new cultural complex...



...(1999)


With the Symphony Hall optimally designed specifically for...



...large orchestral performances.






4:30pm - End sound check

Remember that the luggage still hadn't arrived yet.
So now Ira informs us that after the sound check...



...the production company is having us fitted for tuxedos.


5:00pm - Return to hotel - Instead we head for a fitting.

We figured we were heading to some plush men's clothing store.
To our surprise, we ended up at a costume shop.
So what do 7 crazy guys to do in a costume shop...




...they try on crazy hats.

My favorite pic is Diron...



...who went full-on Merlin.

Almost forgot, we also needed shoes...



...Fortunately, the woman in front of me took an exceptionally long time paying for hers.


7:00pm - Really return to hotel

Grab a quick meal and shower.


8:30pm - Go to L'Auditori for performance

So what did we end up looking like for the Barcelona gig?...



...

Hanging in the dressing room...




...prior to showtime.


10:30pm - Showtime

Thanks to...



...the expert sound-man.


The show went...




...extremely well.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Sunday 10:30am - Leave for Barcelona Airport and catch flight to Madrid

Von's luggage has been delivered to the hotel.
All the other luggage is still lost in space.

Once at the airport we check with the baggage claim department.
Ira's suit bag is recovered but nothing else.

1:30 - Arrive in Madrid - FREE TIME

We're booked into the...



...Aparthotel Gran Via


Which is on one of the main streets...



...of downtown Madrid.


Nicely appointed rooms...



...complete with kitchenettes

My room didn't have a great view...



...but an interesting one.


Met the gang for a meal at Vips located next door to the hotel.
Being thoroughly stuffed, I headed back upstairs for a long nap.

Met the fellas downstairs for an early evening search for Madrid's seemy underbelly...



..."On the town, we dress for action."


We started of by walking down the street to the performance venue, Teatro Lope de Vega...




...and took a few shots of the poster in the box office window.


After that we ended up at a small park...



...where I took a shot of this statue.


Passing an advertisement on the side of a bus stop...



...Von was, well Von.

I won't call any names, but 2 of our party spent an inordinate amount of time in one of the adult video stores.
Supposedly looking for a Valentine's Day gift.

Going down a few sides streets...



...yielded doorways filled with women that just seemed to be hanging around for some reason.

I think i'll end the evening's exploration here.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Monday morning - FREE TIME

After a good night's rest, I got up late morning, had breakfast and just decided to wander around the neighborhood...







...don't ask what these things are as I haven't a clue. All were close to the downtown area.


4:00pm - Sound check at Teatro Lope de Vega

Teatro Lope de Vega is an ornate old school venue...




...built in 1929


Sound check went well...




Here I am pimpin' for...



...Mesa Boogie and Jay Turser endorsements.


9:00pm - Showtime

Again, thanks to the competent sound people...



...the show went well.

Still no luggage had arrived...



...so were back in the tuxedos again.


The following pics were provided by a new found friend and ticket buying patron...





...Jesus.








=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Tuesday Noon - Return to U.S.

As of Tuesday there's still no sign of the luggage.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Set 1
Back Home In Indiana
Basin Street Blues
Mack the Knife
A Kiss To Build a Dream On
Black and Blue
I Can't Give You Anything But Love
St. James Infirmary
Struttin' With Some Barbecue

Intermission

Set 2
Hello Dolly
St. Louis Blues
You Rascal You
Amazing Grace
What A Wonderful World
African Nights (Tribal Disorder)
Party In Morocco (Tribal Disorder)
When The Saints Go Marchin' In
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
A special thanks to Ira...



...who made sure everything ran smoothly.

The success of the Spain shows have the promoters talking about booking the show in Switzerland and China.
They're also interested in some Tribal Disorder shows.

What a way to see the world.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

Wow! Great thread, Neal.


Not lookin' happy!









Slick!

see my comments in the general forum

theAudience said:

tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

Too Kool!!!!

Amazing story, and great pictures, as usual (great that you included some local...ummmm...scenery, shall we say, )!!

Man, what is the deal with luggage??? (I thought the US were experts at mishandling your stuff, but I see now, it's a worldwide problem)... I remember the France story, but is it always such a hassle, ??? Now, I'm afraid to imagine check-in over in China and Switzerland....





...

Another victim of terminal 4

Glad you enjoyed your stay in España

You owe me $5. I caught the big fish....again

RipHer2Shreds said:

Wow! Great thread, Neal.


Not lookin' happy!

Very, very cool!

The Soul Sonic Force!

How did you get through all those shows without your luggage?

Slave2daGroove said:

sinisterpentatonic said:

theAudience said:

tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

i thought you were gonna take me this time!!! i was suppose to be your guitar tech!!!

you wouldn't believe how jealous i am right now! looks like you had an amazing journey! You guys are some true players!


Btw, you could've brought me something back!











see, it wouldn't have been too hard to figure out what i wanted.




:-O edit.

PANDURITO said:

Another victim of terminal 4

Glad you enjoyed your stay in España

blackguitaristz said:

CinisterCee said:

The Soul Sonic Force!

CinisterCee said:

How did you get through all those shows without your luggage?

paligap said:

Man, what is the deal with luggage??? (I thought the US were experts at mishandling your stuff, but I see now, it's a worldwide problem)... I remember the France story, but is it always such a hassle, ??? Now, I'm afraid to imagine check-in over in China and Switzerland....

Romera said:

theAudience said:

CinisterCee said:

How did you get through all those shows without your luggage?

It was just clothing.
Luckily I had all my stuff.

For the others it was a lot of late night laundry.

Plus, the haves shared with the havenots.
True bandmates stick together.

2



I love that country sooooo much. People there know how to live life. I can't wait to get back there some day.

Wow....can I wake up tomorrow and be you? You da bomb.
Great pics and story...you and posse deserve all the fun you had.
Not sure why anyone would go all the way to Madrid and spend their time on porn, but to each his own. Looks like tA saw a little bit of T&A himself!
Hmmmmm, let's see...
tA
T&A
tA
T&A
Any correlation in the initials?

You have a little "Paul Revere and the Raiders" look goin' on there, eh?

cubic61052 said:

Wow....can I wake up tomorrow and be you? You da bomb.
Great pics and story...you and posse deserve all the fun you had.
Not sure why anyone would go all the way to Madrid and spend their time on porn, but to each his own. Looks like tA saw a little bit of T&A himself!
Hmmmmm, let's see...
tA
T&A
tA
T&A
Any correlation in the initials?

cubic61052 said:

You have a little "Paul Revere and the Raiders" look goin' on there, eh?

Hey - whatever makes you happy...go for it. Guess its a guy thang.
I have seen some of your "A" pics from Paris....your preferences are obvious.
Proud of you, man. Seeing the world on your talent instead of your paycheck! I'm envious!!
But allow me to suggest for China that you take carry-on luggage.....for MANY reasons! Let me know where you are an when.....I have former and current business colleagues all over the world I can send your way. Get a little networking thing goin' on.....

I was into PR&R, but ask your friend LWP...he and I were a bit on the geek side. Good looking geeks, mind you!

cubic61052 said:

cubic61052 said:

I was into PR&R, but ask your friend LWP...he and I were a bit on the geek side. Good looking geeks, mind you!

You are probably right.....I can think of a lot of stuff I would like to disavow, but am too honest....what you see is what you get....take it or leave it! If someone does not find me cool enough or is too pretentious to accept me as I am...screw 'em!
Man....I'm getting a little bitchy! Funny how this forum chat can make you feel courageous and powerful I'm scaring myself!
We are getting off the subject.....are 'we' going to be able to take a sabbatical/hiatus from work soon? That would be too cool....this full time musician stuff WILL happen...I told you that 2 years ago! And is ain't clairvoyance....you all have the talent to amke it. It just takes the right time, the right promoter, and the right circumstances...