My sister and I decided to take the 9 hour trek to CT to catch David's show at Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut on April 6.  According to his current tour schedule, this seemed like the closest date to our home so we thought why not? We've always loved David and we anxious to see if his current Rock Me Tour would promote his new "Then & Now" album which we just love!

David put on a great show as always! He wore a brilliant red shiny shirt and some tight black jeans starting the show with "Heartbeat" looking as happy and as youthful as ever!

Also, he changed the play list a little from the 2001 concerts, which was nice since it was getting a little predictable for us since we were lucky enough to have caught him on tour 4 times last year. *LOL*  I didn't enjoy the Candace solo part much, so I'm glad this was taken out.

This year David is focussing on his new album Then & Now (to be released in the U.S. April 30) and sang many songs that were only released in Britain. Included in this was his awesome remake of Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine", and David's best from the PF years "Echo Valley, I Woke Up In Love This Morning, I'll Meet You Halfway, I Can Feel Your Heartbeat
and of course "I Think I Love You"!

He also included his solo stuff like "Rock Me Baby" and "No Bridge" and for the first time sang the Beatles "I Saw Her Standing There" which was a real treat for me since I am a huge Beatles fan! So was most of the audience obviously since David practically brought down the house when he sang this!

He also sang his version of "Do You Believe In Magic" that was familiar to us from his Mervyn's Christmas ads, and it was great to hear live! David said this song was always a favorite of his, and even though he recorded a demo of it many years ago, he never got to record or release it, so he was happy it would be on his upcoming U.S. release of "Then & Now".

It's a treat for us Shaun fans to hear too since we all knew Shaun's version growing up in the 70's.  Someone in the audience yelled out "you may not have recorded it, but your brother did!" although David was mid sentence at the time so I'm not sure he heard this.  I like David's version. It appears to have more of a Reggae influence through the middle, where as Shaun's was more of a fast paced bubble gum sound, a nature of the era.

David during this concert was as gracious as always, accepting flowers and kissing girl's cheeks in the front row. <My usual bad seats didn't afford me that luxury however, but it was nice to watch anyway, I was excited for them!> You have never seen such a site as a group of very vocal 40something women screaming and crying like they were 12 again! *LOL* It was pretty funny.

My sister and I brought flowers for David too, with a Thank You card attached that said "Thank You for 30 great years David! and our names with love from Canada". Security wouldn't let me cross the gap to get to the stage to deliver them though, but said I could give them to the stage manager if I want. I approached her and explained we just drove 9 hours from Canada to see this show and really wanted David to have these for his birthday and as thank you for bringing joy to our lives over the years. I explained that security wouldn't let me bring them to the stage where David was accepting the other bouquets. She must have felt sorry for me at this point, because she appeared to be impressed that we would drive all this way to see David and were such long term fans.  She said "well I'll do you one better than that hun, I'll take them to his dressing room so that he sees them after the show!"  I was pretty excited about this and thanked her. Whether she did delivery them or not, I don't know, but it was nice she was personable and didn't fluff me off anyway.

When I got back to my seat, I noticed the audience started to sing a verse of Happy Birthday to David since he would be on tour in England for the real thing on the 12th. I don't know if it was part of the show, or if David was moved for real, but he appeared to be wiping away tears from his eyes after they finished and had a hard time keeping his voice from breaking up at the start of "Rock Me Baby". It was cute to see. I think after 30 Plus years David is grateful to the fans who have been with him from the beginning and the new fans he is picking up along the way. <Many young children and husbands were in the audience cheering along too by the way!>

The entire band seemed into the show too. You could tell it was the second last U.S. date before leaving for the U.K. They were all in the mood to rock the joint, and that they did! I loved it!

Overall it was a great show as usual, so much so that I hope to catch David sometime on tour later this year should time and
funds allow. Way to go DC! You still rock at 52!

Be sure to check out the concert pictures I posted to webshots, David looks great!

Check them out on my Webshots page at:

http://cards.webshots.com/cp-22686226-BPBK-album/35621562PVRsoM

Lynn G.
Ontario, Canada
 
 

The concert at Foxwoods was phenomenal!!! I stood in line for over four hours so I could get good seats, I wound sitting in the third row to the left of the stage. The show started around 920, and when David appeared on stage, he was in high gear, his first song was Heartbeat, we were all clapping and sing right along with David, he talked with us about his upcoming CD which would be released in May, also David mentioned his bright red  "Tom Jones shirt" When David started to sing Cherish he reached out to all of us who were by the stage, I managed to hold his hand for a few seconds, but it felt  great anyways. He continued to talk with us and some girls brought flowers to him, he asked them there names and then kissed each one of them, I had a single red rose for David, but I lost my nerve to give it to him. David explained that this next song we were about to hear was the first time he ever played it anywhere it was a Beatles tune" I saw her standing there" The place was rockin, because following that song came Rock Me Baby and that is when we all charged for the stage area, I managed to get right up front, we were all dancing and singing , and having a ball. David has that special magic that makes us all feel young again. He also sang " I meet you halfway" Could It be forever, (one of my favorites} along with many other songs from past to present. David also told us that how much he loves Foxwoods and that he would come each year if they want him to.  As fast as it came it quickly had to end , David came out for an encore performance in which he sang "Cry"  [ my all time favorite song" and "Hollywood Nights" I had a good time but I have the best souvenier anyone fan could ask for , I have over 50 beautiful pictures I took of David that night and I will cherish them forever.

Lyn- Massachusetts, USA
(photo also by Lyn)
 

Paper Mill Playhouse - Monday, April 8, 2002 
David was absolutely awesome; it was such a great show. The band came out first and we all started screaming as they played a medley of David's tunes.  Then Lisa was getting the crowd going by saying "Are you ready?" and we'd scream "yeah". Then David took the stage (at a little after 8pm), the audience went wild, louder than at any of the other shows that I have attended. He wore a blueish green shirt with the tight black jeans. He opened with "Heartbeat" David also sang "I Saw Her Standing There" by the Beatles which was rockin'!!!!  While singing "Do You Believe in Magic" he stopped the music at the beginning of the 2nd verse, because he couldn't remember how it started.  He got the beginning words from Lisa and joked that he was getting Alzheimer's. He mentioned how much it meant for him to be back in his home state. He mentioned being at Foxwood's and what a beautiful place it is. He reminisced about his childhood in New Jersey. He said how we would understand things from his childhood because we were from the same area.  He talked about how his Grandmother used to take him to Bamberger's and the crowd cheered. (Bamberger's is an old department store that has been out of business for a long time - I used to go there with my Mom as a kid). What was really funny was that everytime he tried to say something, someone in the audience would finish the sentence for him. Like he said  "I grew up right around the corner from here in" and someone shouted out "West Orange" and it cracked him up. He said "I grew up on a small street" and someone shouted out "Elm Street" and he cracked up again. People were shouting out teachers names from his school and it more or less became a conversation between David and the audience. It was wonderful. The audience was screaming about something David said (I can't quite remember) but he jokes and said "What is this some kind of cult?" and we all screamed some more. One woman even went to "bible school" (as David puts it) with him.  She shouted out that she went to Sunday school with him and he called her up to the stage.  She had some photos of David as an altar boy and one of the two of them at a birthday party. He asked if he could keep them, she said yes and he seemed truly touched by it. He also held up a full sized poster of himself from the 70's that someone had handed to him while he was singing and we started screaming again.  But the best part was when we all sang Happy Birthday to him. He really enjoyed that. Right before he sang ITILY, he said that this was the song that he will sing till the day he dies. I thought that was sweet.  Candace is still singing back up, but I didn't even recognize her.  Her hair seemed a little darker - she looks gorgeous as usual. Both Lisa and Candace have the most amazing voices......his band is awesome too!  It is an all around great show that is well-worth seeing again and again...... 
Beth Faraldi, 
Lincoln Park, NJ 
 

1st night
Have just got back from the Hammersmith Apollo!  I can't talk, my throat is sore from screaming and singing.  Don't ask me for details as I cannot remember them!  He is just so absolutely stunningly gorgeous!  He was wearing black jeans which had a kind of sheen to them.  Very tight and with a knife edge crease to them.  Black slip on shoes and black socks.  His shirt was also black with a sheen that also had red glittery thread running through it which caught the light.

Face - stunning!  Boy does that man know how to work a crowd!  I had him by the hand three times - his hands are so soft!  And those eyes - don't they just drink you in!  I was in Row B (did I mention that to you girls!!??) but I have to confess I didn't stay there long - I confess I behaved like a complete adolescent and climbed over my seat into Row A!!!  We were centre front of the stage so had the best view immaginable.

I am sure some of you will correct me because I just cannot remember the running order of the show but he song No Bridge, Cry, Hollywood Nights, ITILY, Cherish, How Can I Be Sure, Heartbeat, Last Kiss, Magic along with many others.  He came on stage just after 8pm and came off around 10.30pm.  There was a short interval during which I passed out temporarily!

He really worked the crowd well he knows exactly the power he has over people (women!!) and whipped them up into a frenzy by gyrating very close to the edge of the stage with a promise of coming closer, only to pull away at the crucial moment!  Just out of reach!

He paid tribute to his lovely wife and son who were in the audience - Sue was smiling and Beau was dancing in the aisle!  Lovely to see them enjoying themselves so much. 

A "horse" cake was bought on stage and the audience sang Happy Birthday to him.  He seemed really pleased!

I cant say anymore now as I am absolutely wiped out!  Am going again tomorrow night so hope to have more to tell soon! Great to see girls from the list - Bettina and Marijke!  Hope I didnt spoil your view girls!

PS Enjoy the picture I took with my smuggled camera!

Lots of love to you all
a very tired but happy Diane x

2nd night
Have just crawled out of bed after last night's concert.  Cannot believe I have had yet another fantastic night!

First and foremost I have a really BIG THANKYOU to say to two people who absolutely made my day - LEE and GAIL!  (sorry if I have misspelt your names!).  These two ladies were in front of me last night.  The first half of the show, although fantastic, was a little cramped!  Lots of people in their excitement surged forward and ended up moving in front of my Row B seat!    I can't blame them really but they squeezed in behind the girls in Row A which meant I had to lift Layla (7) (who some of you may know is handicapped) and get my neice to hold her up so she could see properly.  Lee and Gail both encouraged me to pass Layla and my neice over and David touched Layla's face held her hand briefly.  Emma (10) stood on my seat to see properly.  My sister was next to me and a group of friends were behind.

When David came on for the second half of the show Lee and Gail took Emma, Layla and my friend's daughter Jessica and stood them in front!  During that half of the show the kids held their hands up to him constantly and at one point David knelt down to them and held Layla's cheek and Emma's hand and sang briefly to them.  I have to confess I cried!  Aren't I sad!  He then got a little girl up on stage and sang to her while she chewed gum and look totally unfazed!!!!  He kissed her cheek and laughed!  Layla came out and has refused to wash her cheek this morning and keeps roaming around the house saying "he touched me - I will never wash my face again"  (yeah right!  Just wait till bathtime!).  I just want to say again to Lee and Gail - thank you so so much for your kindness - I know you didn't realise this but Layla is disabled - she suffers from a muscular conditions which means she uses a wheelchair - she can only walk very short distances and cannot usually stand very long!  Believe me when the concert finished she was in agony!!!!.  Girls, you both really made my and my daughters' night - you were so lovely!  Thank you thank you thank you!

Sorry to witter on but I have no other way of contacting these ladies and can only hope they might read this ;o)

David was great as usual.  He is a complete flirt and works the audience so well - the eyes definitely have it!  He talked regularly to the audience - telling certain people off for talking!!!  (they know who they are!).  He thanked the woman in front of me for massaging his calves!!  He introduced Sue and Beau again and they received a great reception.  Both were singing and dancing throughout the evening which was lovely to see.   He joked about forgetting things and subsequently forgot some of the words to Hollywood Nights!  He did three encores.  I have to say he did appear much happier last night - I heard he had been unwell the day before and had to see a doctor but he seemed great last night.

At the end as we were leaving my friend Sue managed to get hold of David's water bottle - in true friendship, although she couldn't share the bottle with me she poured some of the water into my empty bottle!  How sad is that!!!  I honestly do have a life, really I do!

Afterwards I was heading back to the car but returned to see some friends and I am so glad I did as he came out on the balcony to see us! He thanked us all and told everyone to go home and if my memory serves me correctly he said he wasn't sure when he would be back in this country.  He was asked again and again and eventually conceded that he would be back next year!  (Please someone tell me I wasn't hearing things!!!)

Lots of Love Diane xxx

Arrived in Bournemouth and found our seats were at the front right of the stage.  Measured gap between front row and stage - six feet probably.  Bit too much of a gap but I calculated that I could cover the distance in a mere millisecond to get to him if he gave me the chance!

David arrived slightly late and came on stage at just after 8pm and sang Heartbeat. Audience was bigger than Hammersmith Apollo (3000) - I think David said there were about 5000 there.  Well I have to say I have never seen 5000 dull people before!  Only half the audience got up when he came on!  The moment we stood a female security guard jumped in front of me and told us to sit down!  Only five people in the front row on our side stood up!  I couldn't believe they weren't all on their feet! At least 10 people in our front row sat during the whole show!  Eeek!  About the third song into the show was No Bridge and David was prowling the front of the stage.  I was still standing and dancing with my friend Kathie when he came to our side.  He bent down and beckoned - well I think I told you before, I didn't need telling twice!  I was there before he knew what had happened!  So was Kathie!  He held both our hands and sang a short bit from the song and I had the opportunity to gaze into those amazing eyes.  I am ashamed to say that I then screamed!  Thankfully he laughed!  I am so sorry David, but you just take me back to my childhood and I couldn't help but revert back to the days when I used to scream at you then!

David was chatty and in good spirits but I think maybe he was a little disappointed that more people didn't come to the front of the stage.  Security were really quite awkward on our side an were refusing to allow us contact. He is an awful tease though and I am sure he likes to get us in trouble as he constantly bent and beckoned people forward - by the end of the first half he 
had one and the front of the stage was swamped!  He is just so naughty!  I am sure he can't help himself!

He sang I Am A Clown which went down a storm - he started by trying to sit on the edge of the stage with his legs dangling down - the moment he tried, people were dashing towards him so he thought better of that and got himself a safe stool!

He made me laugh a couple of times - once a woman approached the stage to touch his hand - he bent forwards and motioned for her to return to her seat........ and beckoned her husband forward and shook his hand instead! 

During I Woke Up In Love This Morning he replaces the words - This pillow that I'm huggin' and I'm kissin' with This pillow that I'm mmmmm and I'm kissin'.

The usual favourites caused a ripple of screams such as How Can I Be Sure, Cherish and Could It Be Forever.  CC Rider was great, as was Summer Days. David did a couple of encores but seemed to leave pretty quickly.  The second half of the show degenerated into a riot! My side of the audience just rushed the stage and I had a security guard swearing at me for taking photos and telling me to sit in my seat - a difficult feat when I had about 20 women crushing me and I was swept about 10 feet from my seat!  Eeek! Four times David had to keep asking people not to push.  I am sure that the fans behaviour here has surprised him - I think a couple of times he may have thought he was back in the 70's. One idiotic woman ran onto the stage and grabbed him nearly forcing him off the stage and into the crowd! Professional that he is he carried on singing anyway!  I really thought he might leave the stage.  A second time he was nearly hauled into the audience! Come on girls, we are all adults now!

Well, my lot is all over now and I am really down!  He has agreed to come back next year so I hope we don't scare him off!  I for one can't wait for next year!  Roll on 2003!

My friend phoned me a while ago from Sheffield and said he is in great form.  Can't wait to hear all about it!

Love Diane x (in DC heaven!)
 

No reports so far.
 
 

No reports so far.
 
 

OMG well I did it again I went to see DC, In Nottingham, it all began the day before I had checked my bag 100 times lol well it might have changed , then I had about 1 1/2 hours to wait for my taxi, I swear the clock was going backwards, Finally the taxi got here and I was on my way yahooooooooo……… 

The train from Hitchin to Peterbourgh was on time great I thought I will just make my connection to Notts with 5 minutes to spare, but no the damn thing was on time (how unbrittish can you get) so I had a nearly two hour wait, I was wearing a T-shirt with DC on the front with the Letters FME’S on it (if you don’t know what that means ask me privately LOL. 

So at long last I was in Notts, and my friend who lives there met me, after all the normal omg’s we are going to see DC screams we went for a drink then made our way to her house, where we got changed and went to the pub  . We did not have a late night, well not to late after all we had a hot date the following night, so we went to bed laid awake all night to excited to sleep. After one of the longest nights of our lives finally the big day arrived eeeekkkkkk. 

We got to The concert hall at 1pm well it was only 7 hours before show time, there was a step opposite the stage door so we parked, thinking this was going to be a long wait………BUT NOOOOOOOOO OMG, OMG 1.30pm WE saw David
walking from his Hotel and we just froze to the step aaahhhhhhhhhh he was with Jan Riley, so I said hello to Jan as they walked pass us about 10 feet away, she gave a small wave, then as if a dream he was gone, so we thought ok time for a drink to calm down as we were getting up Jan came out to us, she gave me a hug bless, and said thank you to us both for not coming over to David (like we could move anyway) she was laughing saying he said to that she was now more famous than  him as we never called out his name but hers, she liked that then to make it funnier we gave her a card to thank her for all her hard work. 

When Jan had gone back in my friend and I went for that drink or 3 to calm us down, (I for one still need to calm down and it is Sunday), when we left the pub we met up with Elaine K we had some fun catching up as we had not seen one and other for awhile, then to my horror the ppl from the BBC who were filming asked us to join in so we did ha ha. 

We then went to Elaine’s hotel so she could change for the show this was at 6pm, before leaving the Hotel we had a drink to chill out, we then went to the concert hall, the crowds were now gathered and excitement was very high, we got to our seats but could not sit down, even though our feet by now were barking, then at 8.15pm David came on stage (so punctual our DC) we were up and rocking, well until the slower songs, LOL what a funny night all the ppl in front of us were up for the fast numbers and sat down for the slow ones, (I thought I was in church at one point ). 

The Play List 

Hart-beat 
CC Rider 
Will there come a day 
I am a clown ……(there was a lot of laughter here as DC sat on a stool the mike was way above his head, as he said I’m bigger on TV) 
Do you believe in Magic 
I write the songs 
Could it be forever 
Summer days 
Daydreamer 
When I saw her standing there (Beatles) 
Last kiss 
Aint no sunshine 
Lyin to myself 
Rock me baby 
Cherish 
I woke up in love this morning 
Just a smile away 
I think I love you 
How can I be sure 
Hollywood nights 

When he came out for the encore he wore a Nottingham forest t-shirt signed, the locals loved it. 
Well that’s all folks……..till July that is 

Gill xo
 

Last night was just the best !!! David was in such a funny mischevious mood. He laughed and joked all night.

Set list..........
Heartbeat
I'll meet you halfway
Cherish
I write the songs
Hush (Deep Purple).. David rocked WOW !!!
I am a clown  (David sitting on stool (while soft toys where thrown at him lol !! and underwear)
Could it be forever
Daydreamer
Saw her standing there (Beatles...everyone was singing the ooooh part ...made David laugh lol !
Rock me baby....oh HE rocked !
I woke up in love this morning
I think I love you
Gimme Shelter (Rolling Stones) Awesome !! David put his arms around the girls backing him and sang to each one in turn.... It's just a kiss away !!! absolutely brilliant.
Encore...How can I be sure
David came on wearing a kilt and a tartan scarf around his kneck with his arms outspread and a huge grin on his face..... the applause was deafining. He sang How can I be Sure  but he kept laughing at the comments people were shouting out, because he had kept his trousers on underneath, they were shouting ...get them off lol ! He said next time he would wear the kilt without the pants !!! He talked about the comedian Billy Connoly, and how he had spent some time with him, and how he couldn't have a conversation with him without laughing and crying .. as he is so funny.... he said he watched him on tv and screamed with laughing at the tv...so funny LOL!!! He also talked about Sep 11 ,  and metioned the Lockerbie disaster.....very emotional.
Encore....Hollywood nights.
Last one of the evening
David said he would be back next year. He also said they were filming for the DVD to be released later this year at Glasgow the night before. At the moment i am still in David Fog ....last night i will never forget. Thank you David, from the bottom of my heart. Please keep your promise and come back soon.

                      Pam

PS... I probably missed some off, so please forgive me if i have... i'm suprised i remembered any LOL!!!