TRON

TRON said:

ahem... FREEDOM toast!

AaronFantastic said:

Umm no it is french toast made by Nathan just for Jessica and she is not sharing with Aaron
[This message was edited Sun Apr 6 19:53:58 PDT 2003 by MostBeautifulGrlNTheWorld]

AaronFantastic said:

Fuck that! I still love the French and their toast.

MostBeautifulGrlNTheWorld said:

He'd probably rather have fettucine anyway. I don't have anything better to do. I'll cook for anybody. Anyone else have a dinner request?

MostBeautifulGrlNTheWorld said:

if "french" toast is all you're getting from him, then i'm happy.

I'm happy to hear you made it (ice or no ice)
I'm sure the show made it all worthwhile!

endorphin74 said:

It did. Now that the struggle is over, that's the memory I'll take with me. I wish she was coming to MPLS.

TRON said:

So do I...I also wish I still had vacation time like I did at my job last year...with 5 weeks of pto, it was VERY easy just to travel to see shows...oh well, I'll get to see her someday!

AaronFantastic said:

Shit like I am gonna tell you about everything else I get from him...I do not kiss and tell

endorphin74 said:

Hopefully. They are saying she'll tour more after her album comes out in June.

endorphin74 said:

It looks like her dates in the UK are too early for you: June 6 & 7. Better luck next time.

Well, you don't have SARS yet. We mustn't forget the incubation period is 7-10 days.

BattierBeMyDaddy said:

Is it? I didn't know that. Are you sure?

MostBeautifulGrlNTheWorld said:

you wish

AaronFantastic said:

Don't they all?

TRON said:

I'm glad it all worked out.

Just think, I almost had to kick your mothers arse!

What a weekend. Words can't even express how difficult it was to get there. There were so many obstacles in our way, but it was all worth it. I really feel that I have come full circle as a fan now. Annie Lennox is my hero and to get to see her was invigorating and empowering. She's the reason I cut and dyed my hair. She's the reason I came to be able to view myself as beautiful. She's what helped me get through Arwen. I felt like it was something I could not miss.

Thank you Nathan for making it all possible. Once I collect my thoughts, I'll write a proper review.

Moonbeam said:

..get through Arwen ? LOTR Arwen ?

Moonbeam said:

You're very welcome. I knew how much it meant to you to be there and I was happy that I could facilitate it. It was something that I couldn't miss either and I'm glad that we could both go.

<--- *beaming*

So I can't imagine how the two of you feel!

I am beyond happy that it all worked out, and that you both had an amazing time. :wOOt:

Glad you guys had a great time & were safe! Sorry about the weather, but I'm sure Annie made up for it

AlfofMelmak said:

Arwen was a girl who broke my heart.

Moonbeam said:

Ian

Here's a mini review of the show we saw.

Lennox's T.O. return long overdue
By JANE STEVENSON -- Toronto Sun

---
ANNIE LENNOX
Toronto Centre for the Arts, Toronto
Friday, April 5, 2003
---

TORONTO -- Toronto fans of Annie Lennox have waited a long time for the big-voiced soul-pop diva to perform live.

Would you believe her last real concert here was way back in 1989 at the SkyDome when she was still with Dave Stewart in the '80s synth-dance duo Eurythmics?

Sure, she returned in 1995 for a solo Intimate & Interactive special at MuchMusic, in support of her covers album, Medusa. (And she reminded us last night that she got "stuck in a lift for 45 minutes" afterward as she tried to get to a party at her record label's offices across the street.)

But that wasn't an event really open to the general public.

So it was last night that an enthusiastic audience of 1,600 quickly snapped up tickets for Lennox's stop at the Toronto Centre For The Arts -- previously The Ford Centre In North York -- which was part of her first solo tour ever.

There was extra excitement in the air as the hour-and-35-minute performance was being filmed for a DVD, with at least four camera operators on the stage and in the aisles, and such eye and ear candy as dramatic lighting and crisp sound. (Sadly, it meant The Sun was unable to shoot a picture of Lennox, who's still a stunner at age 48, with her trademark short, blond hair and slim build.)

But, boy, did she ever make up for lost time.

After a tentative start with Money Can't Buy It and Legend In My Living Room, both from her 1992 solo debut, Diva, Lennox came out swinging by the third song, Little Bird.

That unmistakable voice, which she later told the audience she had lost earlier in the day while she stayed inside in her hotel room during yesterday's ice storm, came thundering out of that tiny body.

"I was very glad that I was able to sing for you tonight," she said after thanking the doctor who took care of her.

The crowd, prone to standing ovations as it was, could barely contain itself.

Thankfully, too, Lennox got rid of her leather coat, scarf and sunglasses, which seemed strange for a woman whose new album is called Bare. (It doesn't hit stores until June 10.)

Underneath, she was decked out in a rust-coloured sequined top and stretchy black pants that allowed her to move and sing so much better.

Once Lennox found her groove on other early song standouts like No More "I Love You's," Walking On Broken Glass and the devastatingly beautiful Cold, she never looked back.

Even newer songs from Bare, like the pretty 1,000 Beautiful Things, the soulful Pavement Cracks and the R&B-flavoured Wonderful were well received by the audience.

Lennox also mixed up the arrangements a bit, backed by five musicians and three female backup singers.

The first half of the concert felt a lot more formal than the loose and lively second half when she returned to the stage to play the piano for a ballad rendition of the Eurythmics hit Here Comes The Rain Again.

And when she and her backup singers ripped through gospel-like versions of Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves and Would I Lie To You, it suddenly felt like we were all in church.

By the time Lennox masterfully covered Neil Young's Don't Let It Bring You Down, also from Medusa, and favoured us with such encore treats as Sweet Dreams and Why, she had us in the palm of her hand.

My advice would be: Next time, don't wait so long to return.

TRON said:

You know, part of me is telling me that you were being sarcastic, and by continuing this I will make an ass out of myself.

Anyways, yes, I'm sure. I read about it when the first Canadians started popping up with it. I read it on webmd, actually, because I didn't know what SARS was. Anyways, they said the incubation period was 7-10 days, and you should watch yourself closely over that period to be sure you feel fine.

Glad to hear you had a great time! And made it there and home safely!!

CarrieMpls said:

Here is my semi-review of the concert:

The anticipation before the concert was very high for both my brother and me. We had undergone a hellish ride to Toronto through the persistent ice storm that caused hundreds of thousands of people to lose power for several days. Not only that, but getting tickets to the venue and home from Utah were difficult as well. That said, it was quite a relief just to make it to the venue on time for the show.

Our seats were located on the main floor about 28 rows back, which actually seemed quite close due to the intimate, small venue. We were among the youngest there, but I didn't feel out of place with my bright pink Annie Lennox shirt circa 1983. I paroused the tour program while peope got seated.

Then the lights went out. I was about to see my hero. I was about to see the artist who had pulled me through so much. I was about to see someone who hadn't ever toured alone despite a legendary career. I was about to see ANNIE LENNOX.

She came out to a great reception and the band began the slinky opening of "Money Can't Buy It." Annie was decked out in full diva/pimp wear with her form-fitting flared black pants, her glimmering gold top, black overcoat, sassy scarf, black sunglasses and fashionable black hat tilted to the side. She belted out the song so effortlessly that no one could have known that she could have cancelled the show because she had lost her voice.

Annie then went into a poignant version of "Legend in My Living Room." It was apparent that she was setting the stage for what was to come with songs about her past from "Diva." Gradually revealing herself through her music, Annie would go on to reveal her true self by discarding her fashionable accessories one by one. Then came the opening "ooh oohhh ooh oohhh" chant/laugh of "Little Bird," which caused the place to erupt, and rightfully so. The band ROCKED the song out hardcore, with Annie the perfect centerpiece. This was definitely a highlight for me, because "Little Bird" remains among my favorite songs ever and certainly my favorite of her solo work.

After the stunning climax of "Little Bird," Annie dipped into her new reportoire with "1000 Beautiful Things." This was my first taste of what is to come with "Bare" and it left a good impression. Stark and beautiful, Annie's gratitude is still shadowed by her bitterness as she sees the glass as half empty. Her delivery was passionate and it was apparent that she was very proud of the song and gave it the treatment it deserved.

After "1000 Beautiful Things," Annie went into some classics that got the crowd on its feet. "No More 'I Love You's'" proved to me just how classic the song is. Annie has completely taken it for herself and it may have been the fan favorite. "Walking on Broken Glass" followed and brought the crowd to its feet to dance.

What followed was probably my favorite of the new tracks- "Pavement Cracks." After an ethereal, soulful opening, the band busts out the FUNK in the same vein as "Little Bird" for the remainder of the piece- which builds on a funky bass line. I really hope this is a single. I wasn't expecting uptempo songs from her new album and was pleasantly surprised that Annie still has the funk! She danced around to the music appearing much closer to 30 than 48.

A unique version of "Cold" followed, driven by a guttural vocal performance during the chorus. The line "dying is easy- it's living that scares me to death" always has given me chills, and this was no exception. It was all too fitting to perform this with the ice glazing everything outside. This was another personal highlight of mine, as it's my favorite of her ballads.

After a brief intermission, Annie came out alone on the piano and delivered a somber, chord-driven version of "Here Comes the Rain Again." What began as a spat with Dave 20 years ago has turned into a timeless beacon of music. Her backup singers came to the forefront for the anthemic "Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves," holding their own with Annie when she joined them halfway through the song.

At this point, Annie was very comfortable with the audience, having told us of the last time she was in Toronto and was stuck in an elevator for 45 minutes. She then admitted to not knowing what the next song was supposed to be, at which point someone screamed out "1984." I couldn't help myself and uttered a loud "Step on the Beast!" However, I was not disappointed when she follwed with a band-driven working of "Who's That Girl?" which showcased some of Annie's great subtleties as a vocalist. She closed the mini-Eurythmics set with an acoustic rendition of "You Have Placed a Chill in My Heart," making the song sound almost happy as her fans belted it out with her.

Annie came back with a ROCK-driven "Don't Let It Bring You Down." The song builds naturally on its own, but a fiery guitar solo only augmented the fevered pitch and brought the audience to a frenzy. Having everyone's attention, she then delivered two more new songs, the love-stricken "Wonderful" and the catchy, danceable funk workout of "Bitter Pill." Again, she really focused her energy on this new material, dotting every i and crossing every t along the way.

Now fully transformed into the blonde chanteuse, Annie was prepared to hit us over the head with "Would I Lie to You?" which again brought the crowd to its feet. Annie strutted her stuff confidently and youthfully. It was apparent that the band and back-up singers really liked performing this one and fed on the energy of the dancing crowd.

The band then left the stage, but the crowd only grew louder as chants of "Annie! Annie!" reverberated throughout the building. The band then returned and the infamous solo of "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" began blaring from an electric guitar. My brother and I at this point grabbed our belongings and spilled into the aisle toward the front, ending up at about the fourth row with a throng of others who flooded the aisle. My bro and I went nuts and drew her attention as the song progressed. We also drew the attention of the cameras, so don't be surprised if we end up on another music DVD sometime soon! The crowd erupted as the song ended and the band left again.

Annie then returned for a plaintive, extraordinarily poignant version of her signature song, "Why." The emotion in her face was clearly visible as the song neared its end. She started to simply state the "This is the book that I've never read" part, but shrieked out with "And these are the years that we've spent and this is what they represent" as the audience was left in awe. The whispered "you don't know what I feel" drew an ovation from the crowd as the band bowed and left the stage.

Once the lights came up, my bro and I rushed to the front and scored a setlist before returning outside to wait for her to come out. Not many people were waiting- 50 tops. Perhaps it was the weather that kept people away as it was bitterly cold and windy. After about an hour, Annie got into her tourbus and signed everything that was handed to her. My brother got a copy of the "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" booklet autographed for me and I waited for her to sign my tour program. As she was signing it, I thanked her for the show and told her to get well soon. We waved at her as the tourbus rolled out and on to Montreal.

I'm still in awe. I've had dreams about her since days before the concert was held. This was an incredibly meaningful experience for me, having gotten through a lot personally with the help of her music. I really can say that I have seen my hero now in concert and I am content that I have seen everyone I would really want to see. Thanks, Annie.