July 6 Newport Reviews and Discussion

[Camille]

7.6.08 Newport, Rhode Island Set List

If I Wanted To
California
No Souvenirs
An Unexpected Rain
Bring Me Some Water
I Want To Come Over
Angels Would Fall
I Run For Life
I Need To Wake Up
Message To Myself/Come To My Window
Kingdom Of Heaven
I’m The Only One
Like The Way I Do
Piece Of My Heart

[Camille]

July 6, 2008. Newport, RI. Why I Stand.

I’d arrived at the venue in the afternoon to see if I could catch the band entering for sound check. I like to say Hello to the fellas, and also wanted to see if I’d get a chance to say Hello to MLE and maybe get an autograph. My British friends Angie and Dawn arrived and set next to me on the bench outside the entrance to the venue. We watched the brown tour bus pull up, and I could see Steven in the front passenger seat. My friends and I wondered if Melisser was on that bus too, because usually she is on the white bus. We watched the brown bus park across the parking lot, and out came Steven, and a few moments later, out popped Melissa. She spotted us across the parking lot on the bench, and gave us a big friendly wave, and we waved back. My friends and I were touched by the special wave.

A little later, Melissa came off the bus and headed across the parking lot with some of her entourage. She waved at us and gave us the peace sign, and the three of us remained seated, waved at her and nodded and gave her the peace sign back. We knew she was in Melissa-the-person mode and not Melissa the Rock Star mode, so we respectfully sat where we were. MLE and her crew headed down the street towards the water.

We watched the band coming in and out of the tour bus. After a little while, the Fritzmeister came over for a chat, and we chatted with him for a bit, then Paul and Mark walked towards the venue, Paul went in the venue and Mark came over and we chatted with Mark for some time. Mark went inside the venue for the sound check. After the sound check, Mark came back out to chat with us. A person was standing to me left reading a venue sign that had Melissa and upcoming acts and other information on it, and Mark looked at the sign and started commenting to the person, saying things like “I hear she’s really good” and asking the person questions about the sign. I was laughing that Mark was pretending to know nothing about Melissa and the band, even though he was in the band. Mark sat down and was talking with Angie. Philip walked out of the venue and came over to talk with me as well, then Fritz came back, and Fritz, Philip and Mark each went across the street to get some free Dunkin’ Donuts ice coffee samples. I’d filmed the earlier conversations with Fritz and Mark for the unofficial Melissa Etheridge Eco-Friendly Street Team, and I filmed the interaction with Philip, Fritz and Mark for the MEEFST as well. I was very glad they are cool with the Eco-Friendly Street Team project and do not mind my less than amateur filming. Then they left to go do whatever it is they left to go do.

Around 6:20 PM Melissa and her peeps returned and went to get back on the bus. She could have gotten right back on the bus. Instead, she paused, looked over at the three of us still sitting on the bench, and gave another hearty wave, then hopped back on the bus. My rock star buddy totally rocks! My friends and I all felt like a million bucks for the waves she’d given us.

I’d wanted to wait around to see if I could film Melisser being escorted inside the venue, but alas, nature was calling and was not willing to let things go to voice-mail, so my friends and I entered the venue.

I was one very happy camper indeed. Lots and lots and lots of shows attended and in the fan club since early 2000, I’d never won the front row lottery (I did win row 2 a few nights earlier, but never row 1). Not only was I front row, but I was front row and darn near center. I was gleaming ‘cause I liked that the Universe was providing something I love veeeeeeeery much and usually have to wait outside for hours and hours or pay lots of money or stage rush to obtain- front row location. I wouldn’t have to worry about if and when I’d try to move up- I was already there. Sweet, sweet bliss. I did have to have a bit of a laugh with Angie. I shared with her, “The first time I won the lottery and got Row 2 there was a twenty foot moat between me and the band, and the second time I won the lottery and got Row 1 it’s a shortened show and there’s an 8 foot gap between the front row and the stage” I explained, and the two of us had a laugh. I didn’t mind. I had so much gratitude in me for the Universe and MEIN for the Row 2 a few nights prior and the Row 1 this evening no matter where the stage was or the length of the show. Any time Melissa is on stage, I am one happy camper. Happy, happy, happy.

At 7:04 PM, I could see the band start to gather outside the tent. I started woo-hooing for the band’s imminent entrance. Usually once the hollering starts from me or others, the rest of the crowd will join in. But not this evening. I woo-hooed and clapped and nothing happened. Okeedokeeallrightythen. I paused the woo-hooing. 7:05 PM. The band entered the tent and made their way to the stage, and I was woo-hooing and clapping and woo-hooing and clapping WOO-HOOOO! WOO-HOOOO!

And it was quiet.

Mark walked to his location and turned to the crowd and put his finger up to his mouth and went “Shhhhhhh”, which made me laugh. I kept on clapping, and finally, Melissa hit the stage. Now the crowd woke up. “WOO-HOO! WOOOO! WOO-HOO!” went the crowd and I. Melissa swept across the stage with a huge smile, strumming her guitar, greeting the crowd. Angie and I made a beeline for the stage and made our home to the left of the microphone stand as the band was playing If I Wanted To. The rest of the people in the front row filled in around us and . . . uh . . . um . . . no they didn’t. I looked at Angie and she looked at me. The entire population of front row rushers consisted of the person I was looking at and the person she was looking at (the two of us), and that was it. We shrugged our shoulders. If the rest of the front row people were super-glued to their seats then so be it.

It was a little hard for Melissa to miss us, seeing as how there were a whole two of us. Melissa is familiar with Angie and myself and was amused we were the sum total of the stage-touching mass, and smiled a big smile at the two of us and gave us a big “HI!!” In fact, she was so into the “HI!!” she had to take quick steps back to the mic and delivered one of the lines “If I wanted to . .” a beat or two late. Oopsy!

My fellow Front Row Cling and I looked at each other and were highly amused we were the only ones at the stage. She and I looked around the room only to discover someone must have turned on the gravity to maximum pullage, because virtually the entire audience was sitting down. There were a few sideburn standees, but not many. Dude. Angie and I shrugged our shoulders at each other again and went back to giving our full attention to the rocking sensation happening before us and dispensing out as much energy as the band were.

The next song was California. Melissa talked about her early days, and her move to the west coast, and began the song. At one of the pauses, she looked at The Rockin’ Duo at the stage and mouthed to the two of us, “I LOVE YOU!” Wow. I would probably take me weeks to describe the feelings one feels when one’s rock star buddy mouths to me and my friend “I LOVE YOU!” from the stage while performing a song, so to keep this here review going, I’ll leave it at Wow and let your imagination take you to that place. Suffice it to say, my entire being filled up with love for my rock star buddy yet again (that seems to happen a lot).

AW FRICK!!! Dang nabbit!! A security guy came up and told Angie and I to move back from the stage. %$##$%*&##!!!! Figures. I have a front row ticket and security makes me move back from the stage. Fudge. We moved back the six or so feet to our seats. Melissa the Amused Rock Star saw what transpired and looked at us and laughed that we were moved back to our seat. Apparently she thought it was as nutty as we did.

No Souvenirs was next. YAY!! WOO-HOO!! I love No Souvenirs!!! WOOOOO!!! I was dancing and singing and having a blast and reveling in the energy of the night and . . .



“Ma’am,” said a security guard in a light blue shirt to me, “You need to sit down.”

Hm.

Those words are pretty-much incomprehensible to me at a Melissa concert, so I asked him for clarification. He repeated himself to me.

Hm.

Nope, still incomprehensible. To the gentleman’s credit, he was being civil about asking me to sit down. To my credit, I was being civil right back. He stated his case why I should be seated, and I stated my case why I should not, would not, be seated.

The security guy gave me a choice. Listen to what he was asking and do what the rest of the crowd was doing, which was sit down, or the second option, remain standing and be escorted out.

Hm.

My heart, my soul, my being, provided the answer.

I. WILL. STAND.

Let me tell you why I stand when faced with an entire crowd that is sitting and the then two security people providing me with a Sit-Stay/Stand-Eject option.

You know that lady up there on the stage? Let me tell you a little something about her. A few years ago, she got cancer. My sister is a Radiation Therapist and works with cancer patients, and I know well not all people afflicted with cancer make it through. My heart rejoices when my sister tells me stories of those who have made it, and weeps when she tells of those who did not. As far as I know, Melissa’s cancer could have gone the other way, and there may not have been any more Melissa. But there is a Melissa. She is still here with us. And she is still rocking with us. She faced cancer, and beat it, she conquered it. She went through a great deal of pain, a great deal of suffering, and she made it through. She is a survivor. While not yet fully back to health, she gave one of the all time best ever musical performances at the Grammys, and delivered the scream heard round the world, the scream that will forever resonate in the minds of those who witnessed it, a scream that will live on for generations to come. When asked by Al Gore to write a song for a documentary, she reached inside herself, and created a piece that won an Oscar. She had the opportunity to question a number of Democratic Presidential Candidates, and she chose to support the one that was not the most popular, but the one that was the best for America and the world. When she first backed Kucinich, my initial thought was, “Oh, I admire her optimism”, but the more I thought about it, the more proud of her I became. My findings with most people is that they do not fully understand life and awareness, or they don't want to be made aware/woken up. But do you know what? My next thought was "People may not want to be woken up . . . but wake them up anyway!!!" That is why I admire what she did so much, and what she is doing now with The Awakening. The future is shaped by those who speak up, those who dare to go against the grain, those who dare to make a difference, and that is what she did and is doing. She is an example of truly living “Become the change you want to see.” She does not fear standing for what she believes in. I stand for her. I stand because I honor her. I stand because I am proud of her. I stand because she’ll stop and wave at my friends and I across the parking lot when she doesn’t have to or say “I LOVE YOU!” to you when you’re the only one standing at the stage. I stand because she speaks of wanting to be surrounded by people that want to change the world, and I am one of those people. I care not if I stand alone. I AM A GIANT, AND I WILL STAND!!!

Right. Well, let me tell you from my perspective what happened next. Melissa’s guitar tech came from the side of the stage and up behind the two security guys facing me, and put his hands on their shoulders. I saw him speak words to the guards. I did not hear what he said, but I did know they were talking about me. He then led the guys to the side as they continued to speak. In my mind what I saw was MLE’s guitar tech having to leave his post to deal with something I was in the middle of, and I felt very bad about that. I’ll be a Giant, but not at the disruption to MLE and her staff. I sat down.

I felt my heart sinking that I had done a bad thing when I thought I was doing a good thing, and that I had actually sat down, because I don’t want to sit at a MLE concert, especially when it’s the first time I’ve won front row tickets. Philip looked at me, and I shrugged my shoulders and looked away, and Fritz looked at me and I again shrugged my shoulders and looked away. Though Angie was right next to me and was desperately trying to communicate with me, I was in such a state the words she was saying were not going through. Finally she said words that made it through.

“You can stand!!!” she said. I looked at her for clarification, and it started making sense what she was trying to tell me. She relayed that the guitar tech had done what he had done because Melissa had signaled to him to do it. Melissa had been watching what was going on, and was giving the security guys the evil eye, and had finally eyed her guitar tech to intervene. He’d led security away per Melissa’s signal so that Angie and I could stand. The final evidence came when Angie stood back up and started cheering. That was enough for me. I stood back up too, and knew I would not again be sitting for the rest of the night.

There Angie and I were, standing up again. The gentleman to my right also stood up, and declared that he would not be sitting the rest of the night either. I told him he was my new best friend. WOOHOO! Melissa addressed the crowd, “Do I sit? Do I stand? It’s up to you really!” She then said, “I try to stay out of it,” but then looked at Angie and I, ‘cause she hadn’t exactly stayed out of it, now had she. All I knew was this was another example of Melissa speaking out in favor of respectful dancing fans.

The following song was An Unexpected Rain. Philip’s playing, as always, was off the charts, off the hook, out of this world. Melissa said, “That’s the best kept secret in Rock and Roll. That’s Philip Sayce!!” After the song, she grabbed her pants at the waist and hopped to hoist them up and mouthed to us, “My pants are too big!”, which made us laugh.

Next was Bring Me Some Water. I turned and looked at the crowd, who were now all on their feet. Um . . . no they weren’t. I pointed out to Angie that an entire section of people were still seated. Dude times ten. If Bring Me Some Water doesn’t bring people to their feet, I don’t know what will. I shook my head at the Seaters and went back to some royal head-banging.

After that was I Want To Come Over. Melissa looked at me and raised her eyebrows several times, because wouldn’t you know it, Angie and I were once again Stage Clings. Hee hee. YEAH!!!!! In the middle of the song, she talked about misunderstood lyrics, and spoke of “to hell with the consequence” being mis-heard as “to hell with the concert plans”. She said “My son was singing ‘to hell with the concert plans’. I was like, ‘No!’” she said, and we were laughing because we found it very funny her own son was singing the wrong words.

Following that was Angels Would Fall. I took out my pen and paper and drew a few smiley faces next to the words “I’m writing notes on the rug.” The rug that Melissa stands on was all the way to the front of the stage, and we were putting our hands, and note paper, on the rug. COOL!!

Want proof I’m not a guitar player? Here ya go. Melissa broke a string during Angels Would Fall, and there it was, dangily dangily dangily off the end of her guitar. My eyes got really big and I went “oooOOOOOOO!!” and reached out for it like I reeeeeeally wanted it. Melissa looked at the string, and looked at me going “oooOOOOOOO!!”, and while still singing and playing, lowered the top end of her guitar down towards me. She moved her head at me to signal me to get the string. I thought the strings are wound THROUGH the little nobby things, and not just around them, so I was mortified to touch it, lest I jerk on the string and mess up my rock star buddy’s guitar playing. “Pull it! Pull it!”, people were yelling at me. I was still way too scared to touch it. I looked at Melissa, and she still had her guitar turned down and towards me, and she was moving her head and eyes around to communicate to me to unwind it. “Pull it! Unwind it!”, people were yelling. I figured Melissa would not still be standing there singing and playing with her guitar at an angle down towards me and circling her head and eyes at me to remove it and people yelling “Pull It! Unwind it!” if it wasn’t safe, so I grabbed the string, and wound it and wound it, and what do you know, it popped right off!

YAAAAAAAAY! I had a Melissa Etheridge guitar string!!!!

A few people patted me on the shoulder in congratulations that I’d managed to accomplish what turned out to be a rudimentary task. Fritz looked at me holding my prize possession and laughed that I’d conquered Guitar String Removal 101. I didn’t need people to tell me what to do next- I wound the little string up, and put it in my little zipper pouch in my pocket.

The evening carried on with explosions of exclamations via I Run For Life, I Need To Wake Up, Message To Myself/Come To My Window, Kingdom of Heaven, and I’m The Only One. Melissa whispered something to Mark for I’m The Only One, and at the tail end of the song, the band kept playing extra-bluesy. Melissa made up lyrics about Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (I’m not sure about the other days of the week, but she talked about Monday and Tuesday again). Melissa began singing and Philip began mimicking her with his guitar. Melissa let loose some high notes that were so righteously bluesy, even the unvanquishable Philip Sayce was vanquished. He raised his hands to the side in defeat, signaling there ain’t no guitar player on this planet could match what Melissa Etheridge sanged out. Melissa smiled big at her victory. She brought it back down to earthly levels, and Philip Sayce echoed back with his guitar her vocal expressions.

Like The Way I Do lasted longer and gave off more light and energy than a Fourth of July fireworks display. The band bowed and left the stage, then came back and impressed the heck out of everyone with the final song of the evening, Piece of My Heart.

Melissa had told her tale to the crowd, and had rocked our worlds. She’d shared tales of her past, and tales of her present, and her desire to create the world we will live in tomorrow. Should Melissa ever ask a crowd, “Who will stand with me to change the world?!?!”, I know that I will not be one of the faces she sees in the crowd before her.

I will already be standing next to her.

-Camille

[nybabe58]

Camille

Very nice and bravo for standing up for Melissa!!

Isnt it amazing how many fans sit at concertst these days...wow. Great review!

[Kel]

Thank you for the awesome review Camillastring.

LOVE LOVE LOVE

[angel@dawn]

[TSO]

Great review Camille. That guitar string experience was too funny. I would have been very nervous touching it like you were.

Why was the concert shortened? Was it an outdoor concert and it rained? Just curious.

[Camille]

Why was the concert shortened? Was it an outdoor concert and it rained? Just curious.

The show was a Special Festival Performance, part of the Newport Sunset Music Series at the Newport Yachting Center.

[TSO]

Ahhhh...Thanks for explaining.

[MicheleW]

OMG, Camille that was awesome!! You made me all teary eyed!
In a happy way though!! Good for you for standing!! I just cannot
sit at one of her concerts either. Even if others are sitting. And
I just don't understand the sitting. I can't do it! I just feel so
much energy from Melissa and the band. Again, that was great!!

[dogrescuergirl]

Great review, Camille. There had better not be anyone planning to sit in New York because I know I will be standing for sure.

[nybabe58]

Talk about reviews..check this one out and there is some youd probably disagree with..2 hrs is enough of MLE? I dont think so(shaking my head)


Posted by Rhondda in Yahoogroups.

http://tinyurl.com/5k4stc

Melissa Etheridge stronger than ever as singer, storyteller

01:00 AM EDT on Monday, July 7, 2008

BY RICK MASSIMO

Journal Pop Music Writer

NEWPORT — Melissa Etheridge's voice is still a raspy, gutsy wonder —
she sang better last night at the Snapple Sunset Music Series than
she did on the records of her mid-'90s hit-making heyday — and her
head-thrown-back, acoustic-guitar-thrashing image is becoming nearly
iconic. And last night all her strengths were on display in a show
that was unusually structured, to varying effect.

The two-hour show arranged songs from the beginnings of her career
through her latest album in roughly autobiographical order — an idea
loosely inspired by her latest record, last year's The Awakening,
which took a look back at her life. Etheridge also put in spoken
introductions to many of the songs and even a few spoken passages in
the middle of tunes, such as "I Wanna Come Over."

So we got the stories behind songs such as the new "California" ("I
never knew places like [Newport] existed" during her childhood in
Kansas), which stood out for its lovely talismanic use of the title.
We heard about "relationship trouble" before "No Souvenirs," and
more of it before "Bring Me Some Water" ("a non-monogamous
relationship, that's just trouble. … But it makes for good rock `n'
roll songs").

And of course, the story of recent years includes Etheridge's breast-
cancer diagnosis and recovery. She introduced the cancer-research
anthem "I Run for Life" by saying that "Cancer isn't very rock `n'
roll. Well, I proved it is," before describing what her research
taught her about the genesis of the disease.

It began to approximate The Melissa Etheridge Story, a staged
reading of a musical theater piece starring Melissa Etheridge.
Still, Etheridge's life story, as related in last night's show, is
at once unusual enough to provoke curiosity yet common enough for
most people to identify with. (And her plainspoken, self-effacing
personality is also winning.)

Etheridge detoured into the political with the Oscar-winning "I Need
to Wake Up," from An Inconvenient Truth, and "Kingdom of Heaven,"
taking to task religious extremism of all types. She also
included "Message to Myself," a song from the new album about
looking back and looking forward, before finishing up with the
hits "I'm the Only One," "Like the Way I Do" and the encore "Piece
of My Heart," which she famously made her own at the 2005 Grammy
Awards.

What the show didn't accomplish was what Etheridge described as her
goal in an interview last week — to break down barriers between the
performer and the audience; except for a little extra talking and
maybe a few more new songs than usual, it was basically a normal
show. Part of the reason may have been that last night's set was
shorter than her normal show (a decision by the Sunset organizers),
which is nearly three hours.

Either way, the image of the adored rock star on the raised stage
wasn't punctured last night; that may simply not be possible,
particularly if the audience doesn't want it to happen (which, last
night, it didn't seem like they did).

On the other hand, two hours may have been enough: Etheridge's
punchy, classic-rock-inspired approach works well in short bursts on
the radio, but three hours of her nuthin'-fancy anthems done by her
tight but basic four-piece band (an exception being the excellent
lead guitar of Phil Sayce) could well have been too much. Humble
musical explorations such as the shuffle of "I'm the Only One" and
the minor-key ballad "Kingdom of Heaven" stood out for their novelty.

In sum, it was only rock `n' roll, but we liked it.

rmassimo@projo.com

[ladybugkris]

Wow Camille, you are having the summer of a lifetime!! Bravo to you for standing up for Melissa - I would have been right there with you, kicking and screaming as they escorted me out - lol

Bring on NYC - we'll show those Newport folks how a MLE concert is done!!

[dianesgirl]

Good job Camaille as always. You are the bestest, and I am so jealous. Anybody that sits at a Melissa concert, has to be from another world, or on drugs, that make you NOT HEAR. I will be standing in Dallas, for 3 hours. Hoping for a pick as well. Would love to do a meet and greet but, alas, no funds for that. However, the concert itself will work. Living all the other concerts thru you and the streetteam. Great Great Job ya'aa!!!!! Cam, will you be in Dallas? would love to say hey and chat for a few. Are you still wearing the red beanie? If so and you are there I will find you, cuz I am very tall. K, thanks again, keep up the good work!!!!!!

[originalangie]

Hey as your other Stage Cling I can only say perfect verbatim review, wonderful Camille and thank you for archiving the night and all the other stuff.

Pleasure to stand with you we had great great fun, thank goodness Melissa rescued us lol

On to more NY more aching legs and swollen feet to follow hey Rock N Roll who said it was all glamour

[tiggerATD]

I need to learn to have a cup of coffee and fully wake up before reading these kind of reviews and going off on a blog tangent about them LOL

[Tracy]

Tha review was so awesome Camille! Way hysterical about the guitar string. And I am so glad there was an intervention from Melissa on the standing. Way to go Melissa!!!!

[tiggerATD]

maybe we could all get shirts made that on the back say

I am not standing in front of you
I am only an illusion....






*edited to add on the back LOL meant to say that before LOL

[Tracy]

Yea, on the front AND back...so the people sitting behind you have something fun to read whilst they sit.

[rhondda]

maybe we could all get shirts made that on the back say

I am not standing in front of you
I am only an illusion....






*edited to add on the back LOL meant to say that before LOL

we've tossed around the idea of making shirts that state on the back:

"We don't phucking sit down."

or something similar.

*rhondda*

[originalangie]

maybe we could all get shirts made that on the back say

I am not standing in front of you
I am only an illusion....






*edited to add on the back LOL meant to say that before LOL

we've tossed around the idea of making shirts that state on the back:

"We don't phucking sit down."

or something similar.

*rhondda*

We should have had em done Rhondda we really really needed em last night

[Tracy]

Oh....I misread...LOL. So I'm slow. DUH!

[Kel]

maybe we could all get shirts made that on the back say

I am not standing in front of you
I am only an illusion....






*edited to add on the back LOL meant to say that before LOL

we've tossed around the idea of making shirts that state on the back:

"We don't phucking sit down."

or something similar.

*rhondda*

LMAO!!! The only people sitting should be in the ladies room.

[dischikrocs]

WOW!! What an awesome experience! Wish I could've been there with you two. When i was in school, the pep-squad had shirts that said "DON'T EVEN ASK ME TO SIT DOWN" on the back of them.
I'll have to dig one out for the next show. Until then, praying that the universe hears.....

[Kel]

Great hang with the guys in Newport! That was totally cool! Thank you girlies and bandies.

You can see that at MEEFST UBAN

[HugsY2K]

Great write-up Camille! Thanks for sharing your experience. I'd personally be a nervous wreck and wouldn't know what to do with the guitar string either. Glad it all worked out. See you at the NYC shows!

Cheers,
Linda

[angel@dawn]

maybe we could all get shirts made that on the back say

I am not standing in front of you
I am only an illusion....

Ohhhh...I like that! It's very clever.

LMAO!!! The only people sitting should be in the ladies room.

Hold please.... you sit down to pee? Ohhhh.....pooh! My mistake... you meant the restroom attendant should be the only one sitting...right?
Tay in da win, my fren. {{{{SAK}}}

[BESTRONG 3]

AMEN!!!! In fact my mom and I were standing third row seat one and two. We were in fact asked to sit down by the guard who then walked away. I kindly went up to him and said.." If you expect us the sit down you are kindly mistaken. I got fan club seats cause I am part of the fan club meaning I am a hugh fan. You cannot make and will not make us sit." I have seen ME many times and never once has she let me down. I truly respect her and am amazed by all she has done. With saying that... I WILL stand and show her the respect and appreciation she deserves. Thanks for the reveiw of your night at the concert. Keep rocking and Be Strong!!!

[sevenwonders81]

I hope that the Ottawa crowd isn't like that. They sure were unplesant in 2006 with audience members repetedly yelling to sit down. I did sit down ,but only because I didn't want to start a fight or something. I don't understand when they sit down. If that is what you intend to do then stay at home and watch her DVD'S instead.

Matt

[selectivesins226]

As usual its an awesome review by Camille. Way to go!

I have been to many shows over her career and not once have I ever been asked to sit down and not once have I seen the crowd sitting. That is just so foreign to me that I am not sure what to do with this information. I wonder how MLE feels about the sitters. It's not like going to see the Boston Pops for G-d sake.

I did get teary eyed over the review. Camille you still put into words all the emotion, and sheer joy that brings us all there right along side you. My only show this tour is in Lowell (due to health issues) but I feel like it will be my second show based on your wonderful reiteration of your day! Thank you thank you for that!

[jane]

Hi,
Great review. I was at that show, too. I actually was able to meet Melissa for the first time in 20 years! I saw you girls sitting on the bench outside the show.
As soon as the show started I stood up and there were only a handful of people standing, so I gestured to all the folks behind us to stand, but I think they were all dead. Anyway, we stood and sat until we got the word from Melissa and then we sat no more. When she sang "I need to wake up" I held up my "We're Awake" sign and Melissa acknowledged it. Thanks to whoever passed out the bumper stickers reading "We're Awake" in Hyannis. Now I bring it to all the shows.
It's been great she's hit so many New England towns. We're headed off to North Hampton for tomorrow's show and we'll get the crowd to stand again.
See you there!

[jgreene]

Thanks for the great review, Camille. It was a great show in Newport and the guitar string you pocketed is just too much.
The security here tries a little too hard. We had the Station fire here only about 5 years ago, and the 100 victims died because they were rushing the door. Ever since then, the security people have been really wary of people bunching up, but they are just part-timers and they're always overruled.
Peter Frampton actually stopped his concert and walked off stage because security was asking folks to sit (he was later coaxed back). Much to her credit, Melissa's coolness prevailed and she defused the situation nicely.

[jgreene]

Oh, one more thing: the concerts at the Newport Yachting Center (not quite as elegant as it sounds) always start at 7 with opening acts. Openers 7 to 7:30, then the roadies mess around for a while, and the main event usually begins about 8:00. Most people spend the time milling around outside and buying drinks. Two local musicians, Becky Chace & Mark Cutler, were scheduled to appear, but they never did. The tent was only about 1/3 full when M took the stage a couple minutes after 7. There was a collective "She's on!" from the crowd outside and a big rush to fill the place.

[sjs139]

Actually, I think Becky Chace and Mark Cutler performed on the stage outside the tent. We stood and listened to Becky for a bit, but tired of standing in the sun. We took our seats in the tent about 6:45, waiting for Melissa. We assumed that they had the warmup artists outside so that Melissa's crew wouldn't have to tweak the sound system / stage for Melissa.
We heard Melissa say the “Do I sit? Do I stand? It’s up to you really!”, but didn't understand what brought it on. I thought, is she angry because we are sitting too much? We couldn't see what transpired from row 18 ... We had been alternating between sitting and standing; the people behind us were sitting, so we were torn between standing and blocking their view, or sitting to be considerate (and antsy). Thanks, Camille, for clearing that up, both in the review and during the concert. I have to agree that the Station Night Club fire has heavily influenced Rhode Island concert venues to maintain as much order as they can.
I sure hope I wasn't the doofus Mark spoke to before the concert, in front of the venue sign. We spent about an hour between the venue entrance and the waterfront, including picking up Dunkin' Donuts Coolatta samples, prior to the gates opening, and were some of the first to enter the Yachting Center. I checked Camille's video and at least she didn't capture me being a doofus!!