well, i've had a request for some details about the tom waits concert, and i suddenly realised i haven't given any. so here are some details.
that man knows how to put on a show, let me tell you. i've seen a lot of concerts in my life but none can compare. it was an amazing, amazing experience. i do believe he played every single one of my favorite songs. he told funny stories as well. i could listen to that man talk for hours on end (in fact i frequently do, via concert cds).
sometimes he took his guitar and played while he sang, and then for part of it he sat at the piano and played and sang, with only the stand-up bass. that's when he told the funny stories as well ; for example, he said there were all these strange laws in paris ; like, you're not allowed to give a cigarette to a monkey, or get a fish drunk. you could get a fish drunk the last time he was here, but not anymore. and it's putting a serious damper on his plans. hehehe. then he said he would play some requests, so everyone began to shout out their favorite songs, and then he said "pff, i said i would play some requests, i didn't say *yours*." i found that bit
here for those who want to play along from home.
when he sang "you're innocent when you dream" he invited the audience to sing with him for the choruses, and it was absolutely beautiful. for one song, i forget which one, partway through he took off his regular black hat, and put on a hat covered with silver mirrors like a disco ball ! all the spotlights were on him and he turned slowly around and sent little stars of light all over the room !! so amazing !
all the songs were brilliant, but for example when he sang "hang down your head marie" it brought tears to my eyes, really. and "hoist that rag" was so amazing i just can't even describe it, the percussion was unbelievable. (i believe it was after that song that the lady sitting behind me tapped me on the shoulder and said "i'm so sorry, but i just never know whether to look to the left or to the right of you, you're bouncing around so much, couldn't you sit still ?" luckily there was an empty seat next to me that we had been saving for a guy we were in line with, who got lost, and i suggested she move there, because i really couldn't promise that).
oh !! and !! "make it rain" !!! at the end of it, you know he sings "maaake iiiit raaaaiiin" and a rain of silver sparkles fell down from the ceiling on him !! OH !! AND !! CEMETERY POLKA !!! after each verse, the band would lead into a lovely waltz, and just as you were getting lulled into it he would interrupt it with a bang : "sorry ! sorry." and start the song again. *sigh* he sang for over 2 hours, and at the end when he came back out he gave us 4 more songs, but i wished it could on forever.
at the end of each song the whole crowd clapped and shouted and whistled, and then as soon as he began to sing again, instantly the whole place was silent. at the very end of the concert, the ovation was absolutely deafening, we all applauded for such a long time i think i had blisters on my hands. it was so wonderful, i had actual tears of joy on my cheeks.
so there you have it, a few select highlights.