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Post by bexface on May 3, 2003 22:02:57 GMT -5
Just when you think it is over, something else happens. I truly believed Santa Barbara was the last time I would get to see Tori for a few more months. Strange, though, I did not feel the usual letdown after that concert. Maybe the knowledge of the summer dates kept it going, even so far away? Perhaps, though, it was a subconscious connection with the near future? I submit that this universe is connected in ways we can never truly understand, just that glimpses of it peek through our unconscious paths, our dreams, the unspoken truths of our lives and it is best to just let things happen sometimes.
Getting the Silver Circle pair of tickets was so easy I didn’t believe it at first. Really, I can just buy tickets? Yes, said the membership services person of WTTW. Not until the letter came a few days ago was it solid in front of me. I would see Tori one more time. A Tori friend of mine from Chicago, Karen, had not seen her on this leg so we arranged to meet at the studio.
I drove there like a madman, frustrated at the Chicago traffic that slowed me down in getting there. Sure enough, a small cadre of Tori faithful hung out in the sun and on the sidewalk outside the station. It looked very hopeful that Karen and I could get in front for the General Admission within the first three rows. Many other regulars I had known from various spots were there (Chrissie with her friend Loren from Seattle, Matt, Judy, Jody, Ed, many more….). About 5:30, they moved us closer to the building so we could freeze instead. By this time, the initial group of a dozen ballooned to about a hundred. Joel came out to check on us. A security person brought us front people in to a sheltered area where we could see them setting up for admittance.
It was pretty simple. We had to check our coats, present the letter to get two tickets, and then pass the metal detector screening. There were to be absolutely no cameras in the audience for this special showing. They were recording it in High Definition Television (HDTV) and flashes would screw things up big time. They called out some people based on stamps on their hands (Web, Soundstage, etc..) then called for the Silver Circle people. Karen and I were the third pair they brought in. That was when fortune smiled on us. Smiled BIG TIME. Joel guided us down to the front row and motioned us to the two seats at the end. When we sat down there, our jaws dropped. Not only were we in the front row, we were dead…. smack…. IN THE MIDDLE!!! Direct line of sight between the Bosey and the electric keyboards, which were about 10-12 feet away. omygod, OMyGod, OMYGOD!!!!! Out of the entire audience, we would be the closest to the goddess. Since there was an hour before the start, we spent most of that time freaking out, wondering if someone had made a mistake and would be asking us to move soon. But we were never moved. Fortune smiled so brightly.
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Post by bexface on May 3, 2003 22:04:58 GMT -5
(#34) The place held a few hundred at most. The stage was decorated with hanging drapes that spread out as they reached the floor, lit up from above with colors that changed with songs. Behind the drapes was a backdrop of black with pinpoints of lights like stars. There were patterns projected onto an overhead circular almost transparent screen. On the left wall behind the bass guitars, five (six?) HDTV screens were arranged in a staggered step pattern. Behind the drum set on the right wall was a much larger HDTV screen. There were two big booms on either side of the audience that sported cameras over us. During the wait, they drifted over us during test runs. Eventually, a WTTW spokesperson came out to tell us how it would go. He reiterated the “no cameras” rule, told us to ignore the cameras or otherwise our images would be on the cutting floor, that there would be breaks in the music while they changed tapes, and to generally have a good time.
“Wampum Prayer” signaled the beginning of such an intense experience. Tori came on to our applause in a dark green flowing gown with semi-paisley images. She bowed as she always does, only this time I felt I could reach up and touch her hands. WOW!! As the trio went into usual “fairytale,” I was immediately amazed at the clarity of the sound. Matt’s drums, staccato and direct, ticked out the beats and I realized how much I had been missing from all the regular shows. He puts out so many more variations then I had ever recalled. Jon’s bass more subdued than normal but also clear and straightforward. His bass-tuning antics in “Bliss” even more twangy than I had remembered from Pitt. The Bosey was totally awesome. Beautiful and rich notes emanated, even the click-clack of the sustain pedal could be distinguished. Wow!! What great sound!! So what I had heard these all before? (Except for “Tombigbee,” she can really wiggle her butt during that one!) With the rich tapestry of sound, they felt completely new.
I have to admit that I felt out of place at the start, rocking to the incredible sounds along with Karen, while the rest of the front row, and the audience for that matter, seemed abnormally constrained. Tori may have reflected that as well with the presence of all those cameras, both carried around by walking photographers as well as the swinging booms. Some great images were added on to the big HDTV screen at times, like a big book opened with a backdrop of a desert road (from Scarlet’s journey?) or the Scarlet’s Walk map with the postcards floating around over it or clouds in the sky.
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Post by bexface on May 3, 2003 22:06:03 GMT -5
The first tape change came along. Tori introduced us to Jenn who started brushing on additional makeup. Just to keep things moving along, Matt started a laid-back drum beat and Jon added simple single notes. Tori, with face planted rearwards to Jenn, tapped out a nonsensical series of single notes alternating with Jon’s notes, sometimes adding a few more in the mix to signal the end of a phrase. We chuckled along with the sideshow. Some lady to the right said out loud that she didn’t need the makeup. “You’re very sweet but….” Then she mentioned this felt like making love underneath a microscope. Which she had done before. (An image of Tori making love beneath a table of microscopes flashed through my head. Okaaaay…..)
The audience now seemed to warm up but we were still the big rockers in the vicinity. “Wednesday” signaled the start of the Café (well, no sign this time). She started with a short improv, “Funny Day,” feeling saddened by the loss of her close partner, the Bosey. The two of them were like her hand is to her arm. She would miss her for the next month while taking a boat ride. “China” became perhaps the most intense Tori moment I have ever experienced. Another example of the great sound: I could hear the low, slow exhale of a sigh as she brought her head closer the microphone, ready to start the vocals. She had to halt and start over again but I was in a trance already, it didn’t matter to me. Of course, you always hear people saying Tori was looking at me. After it happens, you wonder: Was I just fantasizing or did it really happen? I could not look away or blink. When she turns and spends more than a second (was it really that long?), I get drawn in. It is like looking at the sun and you… cannot…. stop. The distance really does “get closer,” like her face and eyes are inches from mine. “Jackie’s Strength” also has special significance to me due to some personal circumstances. I swear she darted an aside at me (micro-seconds-scale) to reinforce the meaning. This version might get cut since something fell over to the far right near the end, normally not a problem during a regular show but this sound studio really brings out even the slightest background noises.
Then came the second tape change. She introduced a few more of the Soundstage assistants as they came onboard to do their thing. (Sorry if I don’t have the exact wordings here…) “That’s a pretty cute thing you have there, Mattie. What is that?” (Motioning to some guy off the stage.) “Yeah, what is that stuff?” (The guy looks dumbfounded that the goddess has called him forward.) “There was some pretty interesting Gatorade backstage. What was that organic Gatorade? You all had some and you are in a pretty good mood. Why didn’t I have any? What else is there? Were those cookies, Jon?” He shakes his head ‘no’ and replies they were brownies. “Hmmm…. Tash was having some.” (Makes a grin and adds devil-horns to her head. Intimates that she needs to keep watching Tash to keep her out of trouble.) “She’s all over the place, on the other two crew buses, getting into all sorts of things. Only two-and-a-half! Yet she’s running the show but…. I’M THE MOMMY!! Okay, I’m finished (griping)….” Then went on with the show.
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Post by bexface on May 3, 2003 22:06:51 GMT -5
The audience had really warmed up at this point. They completed the stretch run (“Taxi,” “Precious Things,” “I Can’t See NY,” and “Spring Haze”), dragging us along to the conclusion. While getting up to go, again I swear she waved goodbye directly at me but then stumbled on some equipment (yes, the room to the edge of the stage was that tight). The WTTW spokesperson then announced she would come back for three more songs. It did not matter one iota to me that they were the same three songs from the start of the show. I think they were redone since both her and the audience were tight and reserved at the beginning and now we could really do well for the cameras. Most likely the TV broadcast will start off with these, then switch back to “Horses” from before the first break. Another rousing round of crisp applause as she made her way off after touching Greg’s hands (a couple over from me).
Karen said this time she waved directly at me (I thought it had happened the first time). By this point, I didn’t know what to believe. I only know that the goddess was mere feet away from me in probably the most intimate performance I could ever imagine. We lingered around the edge of the stage while I wondered if I could have my first very-own setlist. With the numbers, not as many pressed up front for the opportunity. The stage gentlemen (who said he wasn’t supposed to) gave one out to a guy to my left. But I could see another past the Bosey. He obliged (o thank you thank you thank you). I couldn’t have asked for a better ending. On the way, Karen and I reinforced our gratefulness to Joel and he said, “See you this summer.”<br>
O yes, there is more to come but we get a break for a few months. But how can it ever be this good again? Well, Tori did say at one point that she can get even sweeter. And that has been the general trend since November. Just when you think it cannot get any better, it does. Sometimes it dips down but then recovers. I personally want to thank all those surrounding these events. The EWFs and Toriphiles at all the M&Gs and shows have been truly marvelous. Sure, there are some rotten apples in the bunch and M&Gs can get nasty or cancelled but the potential and realized magic outdoes all of this. Thanks to Jon and Matt for the accompaniment and mature rapport that only repeated sessions brings. Let’s not forget her security and sound crew. A separate thanks to Joel for all that he has done for me and other close friends of mine. And a final thanks to Tori, whose music, power of healing, and openness to her devoted following should inspire us all. THANK YOU!!
BTW: When you see the PBS broadcast this summer, look for the nerdy guy with glasses and blue shirt in front of the Bosey. Tell him he needs to sit still in his seat!!
Bexface rating: off the scale
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Post by ♥Mary♥ on May 8, 2003 12:02:29 GMT -5
"Off the scale", indeed!!!! Bex, you lucky duck! What a great review. Your experience was very similar to mine when I saw Tori at the Sony studio in NYC last November (for the dvd taping). Incredible! I even stood up at the end & asked the cameraman who was standing between me & Matt for the setlist.....he (also saying he wasn't really supposed to) gave it to me & I thought I was the luckiest girl alive! LOL What you said about hearing the songs in that kind of (closed stage/set) setting is very true....you can hear every beat, every shimmer, every sound so clearly.....it's amazing how different the songs sound from the regular live shows. I remember thinking there was sooo much texture, richness, intensity to them that I thought I would explode! It's quite overwhelming, yet incredibly satisfying at the same time. I love how Tori talks in between the songs....especially the microscope comment. LMAO! At my show she made a classic remark about Nature Valley granola bars; at yours, it was brownies. That Tori likes her goodies!  thanks for a great read....you're probably still on Cloud 99999..... xoxo bee  |
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Post by bexface on May 10, 2003 9:42:12 GMT -5
Hi Mary! Yeah, I am still in the stratosphere on this one. When I saw you last, I had no idea I would be there. And then for Joel to direct us to those seats just put me in orbit and I have been there since! Wow, you were at the DVD recordings in NYC? Long way for you (and your husband?) to go for a show. Did you win the radio contest in LA to go there? Cool beans!  I cannot say enough about the experience. I truly hope all Tori fans get something like this in their lifetime. See you all in August!  |
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Post by ♥Mary♥ on May 11, 2003 12:36:35 GMT -5
Hi Mary! Yeah, I am still in the stratosphere on this one. When I saw you last, I had no idea I would be there. And then for Joel to direct us to those seats just put me in orbit and I have been there since! Wow, you were at the DVD recordings in NYC? Long way for you (and your husband?) to go for a show. Did you win the radio contest in LA to go there? Cool beans! I cannot say enough about the experience. I truly hope all Tori fans get something like this in their lifetime. See you all in August! Yep, Karl, we won tickets to go to NYC! I called in (after trying ALL weeklong) on a Friday night to our local alternative station here back in October & won the LAST pair of tickets at 8:30pm that night. The tix were for Tori's LA show Dec 17th. But they put all the winners for the week into a hat & chose 1 Grand Prize winner for each day of the week (5 Grand Prize winners). I was notified by phone that I was Grand Prize winner for Friday's drawing, so Sean & I got flown to NYC for 3 days! (Nov 14-16) They put us up in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in the heart of Time's Square. Amazing. We saw the Tori show & then saw as much of the city as we could. I posted a review on hereinmyhead way back in November after we returned home from the show.....and I was just like you are now....in orbit for weeks! LOL btw, undeniabledilemma was at that NYC show with us, too (she lives in NY & won tix from her local station, too).....only I didn't know her then. |
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Post by bexface on May 11, 2003 13:13:44 GMT -5
Hi again, Mary, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!! Y'know, the other incredible feature of the Soundstage show (and you probably had it in NYC) is that absent were the constant hooting, hollering, "i luv you"s, screaming requests for songs, etc... that all her regular concerts have. For once, you could hear the music and JUST the music. Again, what an amazing experience! Do you remember someone yelling out "Bring out Tash" at Santa Barbara? Gawd, how RUDE!! (and obnoxiously presumptious). |
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Post by Bloodflowers on May 13, 2003 10:33:08 GMT -5
hi i'm new here but i was at soundstage as well!! we sat in the silver circle (4th row right right in front of tori) it was so amazing but at the same time kind of odd because of it being so small and the starting and stopping thing but i would not change a thing this is the first place that i have read about someone eles going i'm glad to hear what other people thought |
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Elasia
Little Diamond
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Post by Elasia on May 24, 2003 2:45:17 GMT -5
hey!!!!! i was bored so i came to see what was up here. reading this wondering who you were since you said my name(and hubby's)...(jody and ed). so now i know by this= BTW: When you see the PBS broadcast this summer, look for the nerdy guy with glasses and blue shirt in front of the Bosey. Tell him he needs to sit still in his seat!! not true! you're NOT nerdy..you're a beautiful person. and we were rockin right behind you! so see you this summer...as joel said....
i'm doing interlochen, you still going there? i forgot your driving intructions haha. i don't know anyone else that is?! red rocks,MN, detriot, cleveland,interlochen for sure. others, we'll see what $ i have lol. hopefully holmdel to see friends and possibly the west palm show since it's supposed to be the last. if not, whatever FL show is last.
...oh, and tash didn't eat the brownies, they were special brownies. i have it posted in a couple places as to what she said for the most part..that was hilarious! awesome show, even though we were under a microscope!
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Post by sweetsangria22 on Jul 30, 2003 23:31:00 GMT -5
I was at the soundstage show too!!! Front row 1st and 2nd seats from the center!!! I will never forget that night...it was def. amazing and not like the reg. shows. I hope I get to experience something like that again one day. Tori is the best!!!
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Post by ♥Jana♥ on Jul 30, 2003 23:32:34 GMT -5
I could just cry because i was not there!!  |
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Post by bexface on Jul 31, 2003 7:58:24 GMT -5
Hi SweetSangria, You must've been sitting across the aisle from me and my friend! Sorry to not have known you at the time. Jana: Sorry you missed out on this show. But, hey, two Tori shows (the only place on the tour she does this) coming up, right? So don't cry. She really does like Chicago! |
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Post by ♥Jana♥ on Jul 31, 2003 23:58:37 GMT -5
yup two shows is absoulutely wonderful. i just wish i could have gone to the wttw thing. its ok i get to see tori two days in a row. i am glad i live so close to chicago because she really does play a lot of doubles around here.
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