yeah, I know, better late than never



The Time December 31, 2006 Biloxi Review

I went and saw the Time at the Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi, MS on December 31, 2006. This was my 9th show of the year and my 33rd overall.

I have been looking forward to this show since I found out about it in September. As most people who read these know, my Grandmother passed away earlier this year and we were very close. Well her birthday was on the 31st and we always had a big celebration so I was glad to have something to do besides sitting around the house thinking about that or working. While I was packing, I ended up walking into the couch and banging the hell out of my toe. Well the sucker swelled up like crazy and turned black and blue. It hurt like a mother fucker. Nice way to start to my trip.

I got up the next morning and that thing was nasty. I finished getting ready to go. Jason and Ashley were joining me again on this trip so I patiently waited on them to pick me up. They showed up at my house in Pensacola, Fl around 2:30 p.m. We loaded up the car and got on the road. We made great time and got to the hotel in Biloxi, MS around 4:15 p.m. We got checked into the room and all I can say is "sweet". Much thanks to Jesse for hooking us up. We ordered some pizzas. They said it would be an hour so Jason and I decided to wander around the place to burn time. We checked the place out and ended up in the Arcade playing Galaga. Well Jason beat me this time(by like 700 points) Ashley called and said the pizza was at the room so we headed back. We saw Jellybean in one of the shops and talked to him for a few minutes before going back to the room.

The pizza was ok, but at this point I was starving so it did the job. We got out confirmation on where to meet the band. My cellphone wouldn't work in the room so I had to go to the lobby to call a friend of mine. On the way back, I looked in one of the bars and spotted Tori so of course I had to go say hey. I called Jason and Ashley and told them I was hanging out in the bar and to come down if they wanted to join us. They did and we had a great time hanging out. I had a couple hurricanes and was feeling no pain. Tory headed off to his room to grab a quick nap and we went back to ours to get ready.

We all got dressed up this time since it was new years eve. Believe it or not, I actually had a tie on, a rarity for sure. We killed time and then headed to our meeting spot. We were the first ones there, but one by one the band members started to trickle in. We greeted all of them with a handshake and/or a hug. A little bit after 10:30 p.m. we went to the backstage area and hung out. Food and drink a plenty. I had a few beers and chilled with the fellas. Shortly before 11 p.m. we had the pre- concert prayer and huddle and then it was show time.

Here is the line up
Morris Day- Vocals and Cool
Jerome Benton-Vocals, percussion and master of mayhem
Jellybean Johnson- Drums
Monte Moir- Keyboards
Stanley "Chance" Howard- keyboards
Ricky "Freeze" Smith- Bass
Tori "Freakjuice" Ruffin- Guitar

Here is the setlist with my ever insightful comments to follow:

1. The Skillet!!!
2. Cool
3. Get it up
4. Pandemonium
5. Chocolate
6. Wild and Loose
7. The Stick
8. Blondie!!!
9. My Drawers!!!
10. Fishnet
11. The Oak Tree
12. Jerk Out
13. 777-9311
14. Girl- short instrumental except for some dork singing a verse
15. Sometimes I get lonely- Jerome sang one verse
16. Gigolos Get Lonely Too
17. If the kid can't make you come
18. New Years song
19 The Walk
20 The Bird
encore
21 Jungle Love

The show was in one of the ball rooms at the casino. It was an invitation only show for big spenders and VIP's so we were expecting a bunch of stuffy old men, but the crowd was actually pretty good. We started off back stage, but quickly went out front and got out traditional spot in the front row in front of Tori. He was rocking and doing a few different things on guitar. The Skillet rules, but I would love to get the full version. I was down for all the audience participation stuff this time, doing the hand signals for Cool and actually doing the Oak tree and The Bird. Chocolate had some nastier than usual chicken grease. All of the fellas were posing for us, especially Jerome and Tori. Tori was even dancing or maybe that was "Buddy" I'm not sure. Right before Blondie, Tori went and cranked his Amp up and I swear all I could hear on that tune was his guitar. Jerome gave me the mic and I sang a couple of lines. Jason even got a picture of it. My Drawers was a treat as always. Tori was just shredding and the rest of the night he was just on fire. They did the fake pause on 777-9311 and then he went off. Great stuff. It was time to slow it down, Jerome again gave me the mic for Girl, but I guess he didn't like my off key warbling since he took it back pretty quick. If the kid can't make you come started, but it was short as the New years countdown started. At midnight, confetti was dropped from the ceiling and Auld Lang Syne came over the intercom. The band stopped playing and hugged each other and/or called their loved ones. Morris came back out with a glass of champagne and we clicked glasses with Tori. Jerome was doing some 06 rap that for the life of me I can't remember. The show started back up with The Walk and then The Bird. Jerome came to get us, but I missed my white folks line so I stayed down. We tried to get Ashley to go up, but she was having none of it. The band left. Jerome and then tori who started singinf some lines from "thangs to do" by his own band Freakjuice. The rest of the band came back for a great encore of Jungle Love with Tori all over the place and Jerome doing some Mario Brothers/Crab dance. Another great show and I can't think of a better way to ring in the new year.

We went back stage and hung out with the fellas some more. Somebody who will remain nameless was pouring me straight shots of absolute so I was getting more mellow by the minute. We had a great time visiting and we got a few pictures with Morris. Everybody started to leave and we headed back to the room to freshen up. We went down to the bar and at one time or another we hung out with everybody in the band except Morris and Monte. Jason and Ashley decided to call it a night after a couple hours, but I was talked into staying longer. Finally around 4 a.m., they did the last call and I stumbled back to my room.

What can I say that I haven't said before. I can't think of a better way to ring in the new year. Hanging out with my best friend and seeing my favorite band. How do you top that. You can't. Thanks again to all of the fellas for hooking us up and treating us so well. I'm glad show #34 is just around the corner. I can hardly wait!!!