Post by rose on Apr 6, 2008 8:14:27 GMT -5
'Morning Kinksters everywhere! 
I'm just going to ramble on after 4 hours sleep here ...
The joint was jumpin'! From the Waterford (not ONE Kinks song on the juke box-but an entire lp of the Monkees
) to the streets outside, the place was electric. Once in the Tower, it was clear LA & SF had met their match. Frank will have to make the call, but hard to imagine a more enthusiastic crowd. RAY mentioned more than once how the Philly fans had always been there for the Kinks & rattled off the names of the venues played there over the years.
From the minute HIMSELF stepped on stage, the crowd just roared. People were up & dancing thru most of the show and that included the balcony hinterlands. There was representation from several generations, but it was clear MANY people were long-time dedicated followers. From my blessed 2nd row seat, I couldn't spot one that was empty. As thrilled as we all were once HE took the stage, I think it safe to say that RAY was absolutley overjoyed & thrilled with his fans' response.
Don't have a complete set list. Sorry! WHO CAN WRITE AT A TIME LIKE THAT? But I'm sure one will appear somewhere.
HIS RAYNESS appeared comfortable, happy, & humble (yes, I said humble!). The man bounded around the stage, flew into the air again & again and just kept shimmyin' & shakin'. My 21 yr old son was in awe...Having seen RAY in NYC 2 yrs ago, my son noticed a much greater physical strength & vitality last nite.
Do have to say that Milton seemed to be having an off nite. Did not seem to want to follow RAY'S cues to take a solo (would actually shake his head. "No") or join in when asked & when he did, the performance was ...well, off. I'm no guitar master, but the 3 men in my party are & play themselves and all were quite surprised at what occurred. And all 3 also said the entire band didn't quite match RAY'S talent. Still, Gunnar's performance was stellar.
I should note the only person more popular than RAY last nite was Frank. A never-ending stream of friends & well-wishers stopped by to see him as he held court in his glorious front-row seat. And no one was more happy to see him than HIMSELF who frequently sang to him (& Andrea, of course), played to him and kept looking over just to make sure Frank was still there & enjoying the show.
RAY took many opportunities during the encores to thank the crowd & accept the thanks of his dedicated followers. I was able to give him a beautiful bouquet on behalf of Rosemary Rose who I was unable to rescue from her seat further back (security was ridiculous). He said they were beautiful, held them to his nose, & said a heartfelt "Thank-you".
No, thank YOU, RAY
I'm just going to ramble on after 4 hours sleep here ...The joint was jumpin'! From the Waterford (not ONE Kinks song on the juke box-but an entire lp of the Monkees
) to the streets outside, the place was electric. Once in the Tower, it was clear LA & SF had met their match. Frank will have to make the call, but hard to imagine a more enthusiastic crowd. RAY mentioned more than once how the Philly fans had always been there for the Kinks & rattled off the names of the venues played there over the years.From the minute HIMSELF stepped on stage, the crowd just roared. People were up & dancing thru most of the show and that included the balcony hinterlands. There was representation from several generations, but it was clear MANY people were long-time dedicated followers. From my blessed 2nd row seat, I couldn't spot one that was empty. As thrilled as we all were once HE took the stage, I think it safe to say that RAY was absolutley overjoyed & thrilled with his fans' response.
Don't have a complete set list. Sorry! WHO CAN WRITE AT A TIME LIKE THAT? But I'm sure one will appear somewhere.
HIS RAYNESS appeared comfortable, happy, & humble (yes, I said humble!). The man bounded around the stage, flew into the air again & again and just kept shimmyin' & shakin'. My 21 yr old son was in awe...Having seen RAY in NYC 2 yrs ago, my son noticed a much greater physical strength & vitality last nite.
Do have to say that Milton seemed to be having an off nite. Did not seem to want to follow RAY'S cues to take a solo (would actually shake his head. "No") or join in when asked & when he did, the performance was ...well, off. I'm no guitar master, but the 3 men in my party are & play themselves and all were quite surprised at what occurred. And all 3 also said the entire band didn't quite match RAY'S talent. Still, Gunnar's performance was stellar.
I should note the only person more popular than RAY last nite was Frank. A never-ending stream of friends & well-wishers stopped by to see him as he held court in his glorious front-row seat. And no one was more happy to see him than HIMSELF who frequently sang to him (& Andrea, of course), played to him and kept looking over just to make sure Frank was still there & enjoying the show.
RAY took many opportunities during the encores to thank the crowd & accept the thanks of his dedicated followers. I was able to give him a beautiful bouquet on behalf of Rosemary Rose who I was unable to rescue from her seat further back (security was ridiculous). He said they were beautiful, held them to his nose, & said a heartfelt "Thank-you".
No, thank YOU, RAY
) tackled her before she got too far!
