(Okay here we go...some random pics at bottom)
I woke to gray skies, I drove down the hill to gray skies. When I started down the first of two grades leading out of the foothills I saw into the valley. Across, I could see the coastal range with towering white clouds building beyond hitting a barrier that stalled their progress. The north and south were dark with the storm. A great circle of blue, clear skies surrounded Sacramento, the dawns light made the city glow upon the valley floor. So, when Chloe apologized for bringing the rain with them I thought differently. The rain was already here; when you woke up you forced it to go bypass the city for a time.
Old Sacramento was hopping, Mother’s day brought families to the trains, boats and restaurants. The Rio City Café on the rivers edge was packed as was the Pilothouse Restaurant on the Delta King (A paddlewheel steamboat initially constructed by William Denny and Brothers Limited of Scotland with final assembly in California). Families also crowded onboard a small steam train that makes 40 minute round trips down the river. I wont bother with too many details of the day, but I did go into the Railroad Museum. One of the drive wheels on a locomotive could have had me trying to do Vitruvian Man and failing (just shy of 6' BTW). On to the Auditorium to wait until the doors opened. Saw a couple of suspicious characters leave PFChang’s with to go bags...it seems “to go” was into the building across the street from Chang’s.
Before the show I ran into Kasey (who still appeared to be dazed from the 2PM show) and Co. on the steps of the Memorial Auditorium. I didn’t think to turn around to judge the size of the crowd so I have to go from its roar and the “wow” looks on stage...big and enthusiastic. The night seemed perfect from the get go. I did have this sudden image of Máiréad having to lug around a box after every show filled with disintegrating bows. She was playing so hard, so fast that a couple of the bows started to come apart (Actually with the fog from the machines it made it look like they were stating to smoke)....maybe the head banging had something to do with it. I’ve always found variations in the music to be fascinating, what I hear on the DVD is different from what I hear in a live show. Little things, like extra notes or faster paces alter the songs. Take, "You'll Be in My Heart", a song that I have never liked (Since ‘99 it has always sounded rough and jerky to me) except last night I liked it. It felt smoother, all the parts fit together, the parts that had been disconnected felt more like accent rather than totally separate. The Chemistry seemed better than ever everyone seemed to be doing things just right, from the ladies to the band to the choir and crew; yes don’t think I couldn’t see you moving around with your little flashlights Then there were the funny things, things you can’t see more than a few rows back. I didn’t know a piano could seat three. The “When in Rome looks...”. Kasey don’t think I couldn’t hear you whooping over there, even if the lady behind me did her best to out-whoop you. Finding myself the only person in my area who didn’t sit down for Spanish Lady (They got back up after 30 -45 seconds). Run by Fiddlins.
One note: the Lady next to me seemed to be in absolute bliss.
Then it came time to say good-bye, I didn’t want to go but the 45 mile drive compelled me.
Pics:
The Memorial Auditorium
Who dat?
Empress Hornblower making bridge raise
New and old. Modern Riverboat and old Steamship
Can you say Choo-Choo?
Actually there are more pictures...pretty much variations or sequence shots
