Thank you Veronica for the heads up about Ticketmaster.
I'll be attending the Atlanta show, October 11th. Anyone else?
I see that tix go on sale Wed, 08/22/07 at 10:00 am. No presale date as of yet, perhaps there won't be. I wonder if that has something to do with the theater's preferences? Ah well.
Donna
Posts: 44 | Location: Washington, DC metropolitan area | Registered: May 24, 2006
(...) LM wore her usual attire of a well-fitted cloak with a high collar. My companion remarked that LM resembled a good-looking Hogwarts professor (Hmm, I wonder what class she would teach?). (...)
Well, she'd probably be in charge of the "Care of Magical Creatures", like Hagrid but less hairy (and better dressed, more clean and more cute ) lol . She could also be a great Poppy Pomfrey to repare us (I say "us" because I myself graduated from Hogwarts and I leave time to time the forest to teach ancient runes -hey, what do you want ... I'm an elf - and ... to practice Quidditch loooool ).
What? "Go back to your forest bl...dy elf!" ? - Ok, ok...
Aaahh, muggles ...
( sorry for the out-subject. )
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Posts: 201 | Location: Paris or in the forest, but always close to a tree | Registered: March 01, 2007
Nate, I really like your comments about the Atlanta concert. I wrote my own review prior to reading yours, it's interesting to compare the similarities. Here are my thoughts and observations...
Loreena McKennitt at the Fox Theater in Atlanta
On Thursday October 11th, LM and her fellow musicians performed at the Fabulous Fox Theater in Atlanta. As though tailored to LM’s music, the dark cobalt ceiling twinkled down on a Marrakech-style backdrop and a captive audience.
At the outset of the show, a flash went off to the front left of the stage. LM was not impressed. A little while later, an usher positioned himself in the front center section of the pit and took two flash photos. What was he thinking? Later LM took a few minutes to politely explain why photos are not permitted during the show.
LM wore her usual attire of a well-fitted cloak with a high collar. My companion remarked that LM resembled a good-looking Hogwarts professor (Hmm, I wonder what class she would teach?).
The quality of sound in the theater was superb. LM’s voice was resonant. As good as or even better than her recorded voice. The concert was a resounding success – the finale’s standing ovation prompted two encores.
Post-concert, I was astonished with the number of people who awaited LM outside by the stage door. I would estimate about 75 men, women and children stood patiently behind two barricades set up at an angle between a tour bus and the walls. Security guards kept us in line. This setting was quite different from the after-show scene in Washington, DC back in April. There, about 10 folks had the opportunity to speak at length with each of the musicians, and then time to meet casually with LM once she appeared.
In Atlanta, though, one by one, the band members trickled out, then disappeared behind the buses. Each received applause, and a few were called out by admirers – Caroline Lavelle came over to speak with someone in the crowd.
After about 30 minutes or so, LM emerged. Applause ensued. She graciously initiated the task of signing autographs. Most people asked for a photo, received their autograph, and moved on. Some, however, chatted away as though catching up on the good ole days over tea.
Overall, it was a wonderful and magical evening, but we never expect anything less from LM and her accompanying musicians, do we?
Donna Betts
Posts: 44 | Location: Washington, DC metropolitan area | Registered: May 24, 2006
Set 1 She Moved Through the Fair The Gates of Istanbul The Mummer's Dance Bonny Portmore Marco Polo The Highwayman Dante's Prayer The Bonny Swans Caravanserai
Set 2 Raglan Road The Mystic's Dream Santiago The Lady of Shalott Beneath A Phrygian Sky The Old Ways Never Ending Road
Encores Beltane Penelope's Song
My delightful friend got a copy of the set list for me when she was getting a blue long-sleeve shirt.
Just returned home from what was a spectacular show! Just amazing!
First of all, I should say that the Fox was the perfect venue to hear Loreena and her band perform. I had a seat on the front row loge, which enabled me to see all the stage action from above. The sound was perfect, too. What's great about the balcony area is how is mimics the feel of a Moorish castle so well (much of of the Fox is actually done in Egyptian Revival). The cobalt blue sky with twinkling stars was the perfect touch.
On to the performance: I have to say that hearing Loreena perform is a collaborative effort, and she has some of the most skilled musicians I've seen and heard. Really, they were all great! I have to give special mention to Ben Grossman for his great hurdy gurdy playing throughout. I was just so impressed with hearing the instrument live. Brian Hughes was great too. A particularly great moment was his playing on "The Bonny Swans" in terms of his soloing and ability to move between electric guitar and bouzouki. But I think the favorite of the crowd (and my partner) must have been Caroline Lavelle and her cello playing. All the musicians are great, and I walked away from the show (my first) with a real appreciation of how each instrument contributes to the tapestry of sound that Loreena and her players creates in each of their songs. As for Loreena, she never faltered. Her voice must be better than ever. Her playing was sublime, particularly on piano.
I've always felt that Loreena was better live than on record, and she didn't prove me wrong with this performance. Even songs that I'm not crazy about, such as "The Old Ways," were superb live. Much of the credit has to go to the arrangements of these songs. At any rate, Loreena did a long set, took a 'station break', and then returned for a short set. All in all, the show lasted just over two hours. Barring a few people who took photos, I felt the audience was most respectful and appreciative. Loreena rewarded us with two encore performances, "Huron 'Beltane' Fire Dance" and "Penelope's Song." I should also note that Loreena talked at length a couple times about her travels and her thoughts on the songs--all very insightful.
I walked out of the show so fulfilled. Thanks Loreena! Thanks to to all the musicians and other personnel who made this tour possible. One last thing: I was really surprised at some of the songs that made the setlist. Because they weren't included in other shows--as on the Alhambra recording--I wasn't expecting them. So, I was pleasantly surprised to a hear some of my favorites, particularly "The Highwayman."
So, the setlist, from memory. (I couldn't get a paper copy, so there may be one or two out of order here. Maybe someone who got a copy or actually took note can confirm or fix mine):
Prologue The Mummer's Dance The Gates of Istanbul Bonny Portmore The Highwayman Dante's Prayer The Bonny Swans Marco Polo Caravanserai
(intermission)
Raglan Road The Mystic's Dream Santiago The Old Ways The Lady of Shallot
(encore)
Huron 'Beltane' Fire Dance Penelope's Song
(am I missing any?)
So, at any rate. It was a tremendous show. One last note for those who have yet to see the performance: Please respect the musicians by not taking flash photography. It really can disrupt their playing. As Loreena put it so eloquently, "Early in the show, lyrics are so fragile in (her) mind." Besides, the memories you'll take away will be plenty.
Hope everyone got the tickets they wanted. This time, I thought I'd take a different approach and go for seats in the Loge, since I'd be able to see all the action on the stage. Glad I managed to get front row seats, just right of center.
The Moderator Jill saw my plea and assisted me with getting tickets. I am in the pit, too, with two friends...row BBB, seats 17-19 (not dead center but it's so hard to tell with Ticketmaster where exactly your seats will be). Now comes the impatience of an almost two month wait!
It looks like you and I will be competing for the best seats at 10am tomorrow, Donna! Since it's such short notice I can only get three seats tomorrow -- orchestra, middle section, as close to the front as possible!
Right now I plan on going to the Atlanta show. If she does one up in Indianapolis, IN (or maybe Chicago, but not sure about that) I might go up to see her there and visit with family. At this moment, I have five definite groupies going to Atlanta with another four or five I'm waiting to hear from. When I went to see her at Ryman in Nashville I was in a group of seven and it was phenomenal.
I certainly hope they do a presale for the community members.
(and better dressed, more clean and more cute 
... I'm an elf 
- and ... to practice Quidditch 
)
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