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Mike UK
04-16-2006, 02:54 PM
OK, guys 'n gals: let's set some groundrules here ... (heck, I'm even beginning to sound like Janis ... :) )

Last night, Rowy volunteered me, in absentio, to write a report of her LRC, to be held today, Easter Sunday, in the deep South of Olde England.

I was DELIGHTED to be asked to do this - and here I am, fresh back from the show!

But this will only be a short first report ... 'cos:
- I've been driving for over 5 hours today, there and back from Cambridge, and I'm tired!
- I only walked through my front door 30 minutes ago, and
- I only have time tonight to give you a quick run though the set list, and to attach just TWO photos: the first, of the very most important people today - Rowy, Lynda, and Janis; and the second .. well, I'll keep you waiting a bit longer on that one ...

But I plan to write a much fuller acount of the whole afternoon, along with lots more photos, in the very near future (i.e. tomorrow or thereabouts ...)

SO ...

Janis played today for forty very lucky people, in a beautiful south England setting, and a veiled and breezy sunshine.

As she was doing the final guitar tuning on her little "stage area", she looked up at the latest arrivals in the room and discovered none other than ... SONGDRAGON !! ... who had flown into London in secret only hours before!

Big hugs ensued!!

And then Rowy, the birthday girl, finally walked through the door and took her seat for her own LRC, and the audience was complete.

More later from me on the "before, during and after". Meantime, here's the set list, with a few wee ornamentations ...

Janis introduced the show with the background to The Pearl Foundation and the Living Room Concerts, and then led into

1. EVERY LOVE

Then she talked with her usual combination of wit and anger about book censorship in the USA, linking to

2. DANGER DANGER

There was a short discussion on audience reactions to that song, so far ...
and then, routing via a description of the aftershocks of Society's Child in the mid-60's, Janis gave us the history of her writing of

3. TATTOO

Then came a few words on the 12-year recording gap after Restless Eyes (Uncle Wonderful always gets dropped, eh? :rolleyes: ) and the very postive factors behind her release of Breaking Silence ...

Then, for light relief, Janis agreed on ...

4. THE CROCODILE SONG ("written for her grandchilden" !!!!!!!!!!!!)

The came "THE SINGER'S CHOICE":

5. SILLY HABITS

and then straight on to ...

6. WATERCOLORS (beautifully played)

and to close part one, after popular voting confusion :cool:

7. FOLK IS THE NEW BLACK (in which this civilian choir definitively outshone the one present at the original studio recording.)

--- INTERVAL ---

Back from the break, Janis played

8. JACKIE SKATES (claiming it was the first time she'd done so since the studio recording! Hah! No one believed her ... it was far too good.)

Then Rowy asked (AGAIN!) what it was really all about. So Janis tried to give a few hints .... :). But a cigar's just a cigar ....

After a bit of a debate (no contest really), Janis agreed she wanted to include:

9. AT SEVENTEEN (which in my view turned out to be the one of the finest live performances of that song I have heard (and I've heard a few!). And then came ...

10. BETWEEN THE LINES (magnificent!)

and

11. PAGE NINE (Pat's favourite song, of course ..)

and then, after a chat about the famous background to its writing,

12. STARS (and this was THE FINEST live version of STARS I have ever heard!! And others in the audience said the same, out loud!!).

Then Janis moved smoothly on to :

13. THROUGH THE YEARS

and finally, after a brief introduction about what happens inside you when you face the distinct possiblity of imminent death (happily a false alarm in her case), she closed with

14. JOY


OK ... I must stop here. More later, probably via my Aftertones web site, with plenty of photos. Apologies for any typos in this posting ... I'm thwhacked!

But before I go ... to ROWY, and to 'organising Annie', and of course to Janis and the crew ... THANK YOU for another wonderful day!!!!

Mike

Des
04-16-2006, 03:00 PM
Awesome Mike...Huge thanks for posting this.:)

Now get some rest man:)

Thanks again
Des

Dee
04-16-2006, 03:02 PM
Thank you thank you, Mike.

Sounds like a good time was had by all, and great for Song arriving as the "special guest." :D

David from London
04-16-2006, 03:18 PM
A wonderful afternoon which I will remember for ever. More to follow when I've had some sleep.

A special thanks to Rowy and Anne for organising the event and, of course, to Janis for being a warm human being as well as a brilliant performer.

Dar
04-16-2006, 03:40 PM
for that little teaser! Can't wait to hear more details and see more pics. So glad everyone had such a great time!

Marcia Drummergal
04-16-2006, 04:23 PM
Thanks Buddy! That was a great account and I KNOW there's more. You have sufficiently whetted my appetite! We are so envious but happy for all of you!

Marcia :)

SFBill
04-16-2006, 06:02 PM
Thanks for the great report!
I loved readiing the songlist.

Sounds like a DREAM!

Racheldiva
04-16-2006, 06:16 PM
Thanks for that. You were sooooo very lucky to have been there!

DaveM
04-16-2006, 07:03 PM
You go, Song!

Bat
04-16-2006, 07:31 PM
What a wonderful birthday present for our new eighteen-year-old! I'm so glad you got to go, Song! What a treat.
It sounds like our Janis outdid herself for this LRC! Such a privelege to meet her up close and personal, then hear her perform just for you!
That's classy.
Hugs,
:cool:

Rickster
04-16-2006, 07:40 PM
Song, This was probably the best birthday present you could have wished for!

Good going!

Denise
04-16-2006, 07:53 PM
It all sounds like such a wonderful experience and I envy all of you!

(Song, I am SOOOOOOOO jealous but also SOOOOOOOOO happy for you to have been able to go on such an exciting adventure! What an awesome way to celebrate your 18th birthday!!!)



Love the pictures! :D

DaveM
04-16-2006, 08:12 PM
I want my own LRC and to invite all of you! Jeez, it would cost my "mommy" about what it costs me to go to McDonald's and order the dailiy special. Oh well.

Kath of the Guitar
04-16-2006, 09:23 PM
Mike, I can only try to imagine, what you will write on such a beautiful evening.
Wish we were all together.:(
Very happy for you Song...not only did you enjoy Janis, but you had an opportunity to meet some wonderful people.:) What a treasure.:D
Kath

Rika
04-16-2006, 11:01 PM
Thank you so much for the review! Did she really play PAGE NINE? My favorite!!!!!!

Agnes
04-17-2006, 12:23 AM
Thanks, Mike! That sounds perfect... You must all be on cloud nine!

Song, you lucky girl, what a treat! I'm so happy for you!!

princess
04-17-2006, 03:29 AM
you are so fortunate...sounds like a great evening.
I am looking forward to seeing Janice again this week at the Queen's Halls in Edinburgh...for what Im sure will be another memorable evening. I will post news of the evening later in the week

Wes
04-17-2006, 05:12 AM
for re inviting me & Anne & everybody there for making it a great weekend. Janis was really on form. I have never heard her sing better & as others have said 'Stars' was just beautiful.
Had an easy journey back but glad I wasn't going south there was a hell of a Q around & north of Luton. Oh Anna when Alfas are doing 100 its mph not a Saab kph!!!
Oh it was so good of William the Conquerer to name the local town after me Lewes ; Le Wes -get it?

NinasSpaceChild
04-17-2006, 05:31 AM
I'm really glad you all had such a priceless and memorable weekend. :)

I love the set-list and am curious about what comments and songs Janis will make and perform once she hits our part of England. :)

MARILYN/GEMINI
04-17-2006, 06:08 AM
Wonderful...thanks for a glimpse into this special evening...what a great setlist !!! (I wanna' attend a living room concert).......Marilyn crawls into the corner sobbing........:(

CD Matthew
04-17-2006, 07:14 AM
...for a great rundown on the LRC. Wonderful song choices, and your descriptions were evocative. AMAZING that Songdragon showed up!!

Thanks again, and keep the reports coming...

CD Matthew

Aunt Becky
04-17-2006, 08:16 AM
Thanks for giving us an inside glimpse...LOVE getting the songlist. Makes me want to sign up at work for overtime for the next 2 years to save up enough to have my own LRC !!! Keep the "juicy details" coming!! Aunt Becky

RedjackRyan
04-17-2006, 09:31 AM
Thanks Mike, i'm insanely jealous, sounds like a great time was had by all. Oh Lucky lucky dragon..what a birthday present :)

dragonlady
04-17-2006, 09:47 AM
What a great present my dragon pal! Were your wings tired after that filight? :D

Cool set list and an experience you all won't soon forget!

-di