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11/11/09 -
JAHRHUNDERTHALLE, FRANKFURT
Review by Moya & Maria:
After reading Bryan’s tour log about the Frankfurt concert
Maria and I feel we should comment on Bryan’s perception of
the evening. We were surprised at the comments because after the
show we both agreed that the musical content and the brilliance
of Bryan’s musical skills were unbelievable. We did appreciate
the acoustic sound and the pure professionalism of the performance
and the clarity of Bryan’s voice once again was brilliant.
Gary also is just a wonderful pianist and we enjoyed his solo performance
and would have welcomed more. However, we both commented that we
felt there was something missing but could not really put our fingers
on it. We didn’t think that people made too much noise, quite
the contrary! Maybe Bryan heard something we didn’t.
Moya came in on Monday evening to Düsseldorf
and Gerhard and I picked her up at the airport. Moya was really
excited to be in Germany again and of course to visit a concert
and I was too.
After a good night sleep and a relaxing day, the
day of the concert arrived. We did some shopping and then when we
came home. Gerhard asked if we had listened to SWR 3 (the radio
station) because they had reported about Bryan’s concert in
Baden Baden. We didn’t and he told us that the speaker mentioned
he didn’t know what to expect from an acoustic Bryan Adams
concert and that he was very surprised how good it was. He reported
that Bryan did a great job and played one of the songs he had played
that night. Unfortunately Gerhard couldn’t remember what song
it was.
Moya and I became more and more excited and some
hours later we were on our way down to Frankfurt. It was busy on
the roads but we arrived at about 6. We couldn’t get in the
hall so we took a walk to find a coffee but we didn’t and had
to walk back again. By this time the doors were open and we could
take off our coats and we could leave them – it seemed like
a really “grown up” concert. After a short while we went
to find our seats and we were very pleased. We were on the sixth
row at the end of the row and had a good view of the stage.
Bryan came on stage at around 8:20 and opened with Run to you. We
were not sure whether or not this would be the right place to stand
up and let ourselves go. We were surprised to find that everyone
stood and the evening started with a bang. There were no arguments
with people not being able to see which was good and we felt comfortable.
We seemed like different people to how we normally are at concerts.
We had tidy hair, nice clothes and we were dry. Very grown up!!!
It was really relaxing and we were very comfortable and the first
song confirmed our thoughts. After Run to you most people sat down
and stayed in there seats until Back to you. How can you stay in
your seats for Back to you? And how is it possible not put your
hands together?
There seemed to be a problem with the guitars but this did not in
any way detract from the standard concert. We just accept this.
It happens.
Bryan introduced Gary and confirmed what we had been saying for
ages – other people thought they looked like each other. Bryan
made a comment: “Poor Gary.” Bryan sang Here I am which
is such a haunting song and he sings it so well. Bryan also told
us again that there he was without his band!
We joined in with the agh,agh’s in Thought I’d died and
gone to heaven. Maybe we shouldn’t have done this!
Another beautiful acoustic rendition followed with When you love
someone. Brilliantly played and beautifully sung and it was nice
to hear an old classic when Bryan sang Heat of the night. Bryan
mentioned that the next song was Gary’s favourite. We both
looked at each other and we knew it was Not Romeo not Juliet. At
Nottingham – our last concert – we both commented how
good Gary is when playing this solo. It was brilliant then and it
was yesterday but not enough. He surely is a great pianist.
Twice during the concert, the audience tried to sing Happy Birthday
to Bryan, but he would not let this happen. He said that his birthday
happened days ago!! Also the women next to us on the row, held up
a banner. The first time, he read it and said. “okay”.
They put down the banner, but just after a while held it up again
and again and again until Bryan asked them how long they would hold
it up. We saw there was a telephone number on!! Bryan mentioned
he was invited to dinner but we couldn’t see. Another funny
moment was when someone shouted something about a new logo and asked
if two ladies could bring two gifts, one for him and one for Gary.
These were ties. Bryan thanked them but asked them next time to
bring food.
Back to the set list - Everything I do followed and we were really
unsure whether or not he wanted us to join in. It wasn’t as
it is usually and we did hear every note. Cuts like a knife was
played and Bryan told us how we should clap. So we did as we were
told, and it went very well, but we missed our “na, na, na,
nas”. This is always a great part of the song when he connects
so well with the audience but it didn’t happen. The memories
came flooding back with Lonely nights a great classic. It was good
to hear it. The next song was a real emotional moment for Moya.
The song means so much to her and because neither of us can remember
hearing this at a concert we enjoyed it very much because it was
played so beautifully and sang with such feeling. It was wonderful.
The introduction of the next song brought everyone to their feet
with applause and roars. Of course it was Summer of 69. The guitar
work on this song is always brilliant and is even more noticeable
on acoustic. Walk on by is such a great number which Maria really
loves. It’s good to listen to and the more she hears it the
more she loves it. No one can fail to love Heaven which came next.
The only none recorded Bryan Adams number was The right place. Bryan
sings it so well and the piano performance highlights just how much
a Ray Charles song it is. Gary plays it so well. What can we say
about When you’re gone? This will always encourage people to
stand and make noise. This has always been a wild song and it will
take time for people to forget it However this is not a favourite
song of either of us. Another confusing time for us was The only
thing that looks good on me is you. It’s a great song and we
usually can enjoy it but there was only a group in the middle who
joined in. Should we raise our hands? Should we sit on them? We
didn’t know. Somebody followed and once again we didn’t
react. Have you ever really loved a woman was next and Bryan dedicated
it to a couple at the back of the hall who had been kissing all
night. The piano took place of the Spanish guitar. It was marvellous
and very romantic. The 11th of November is a poignant day, as it
is of course Remembrance Day and also Maria’s birthday! We
know that Bryan feels strongly about war and lost lives and this
song makes the point about human sacrifice. It is a beautiful song.
A favourite song of ours is Straight from the heart which marked
the second end of the show. The first came after The only thing
... There was so much noise from the crowd for him to come back
and therefore he came back to sing. He played two requests from
the audience. Moya tried again to shout for When the night comes
but he didn’t do it. Instead he played Take me back and She’s
only happy when she’s dancing (another vibrant concert song).
Both these numbers were cut short but really enjoyable. When we
looked at our watches it was only a few minutes past ten –
we would have loved more!
The songs we haven’t mentioned are Tonight we have the stars
and I thought I’d seen everything. They were just as good as
usual.
As we left the theatre Moya and I were both quiet
and thoughtful, not realising we were both thinking the same. When
we arrived at the car we had a short discussion. We both appreciated
so much how good the music was and so professional but both also
noticed something different about it. One thing we both noticed
was that we were looking at the side of Bryan’s face and the
back of his head most of the evening. He only once looked to our
side when he waved to the crowd generally and straight away returned
to the middle. Looking back now we feel that he didn’t perhaps
connect with this side of the auditorium. We were unsure as to whether
we should join in as we normally do and as we did in Nottingham
or whether we shouldn’t. We felt that generally people didn’t
and were very quiet. Maybe we have to learn these new rules!
A brilliant musical night which ended too early
and left us feeling that there was definitely something missing.
We feel we have to say that after all these years of listening to
the music of Bryan and his band and enjoying it so much, we cannot
be expected to sit quietly. The music means so much and the atmosphere
has always been electric. The rock songs, are just that - ROCK!
Even though they are played acoustically they are still ROCK! Where
is the rule that you can’t listen and also participate. We
did it in Nottingham and there were no comments from Bryan then.
Does he not want us as fans anymore? We can’t change and we
don’t want to! We thought that he would perhaps do the same
speech as in Nottingham but he spoke very little and we missed this.
Bryan said that most of the Room Service album was written in the
toilets around the world. We haven’t heard this before. We
do know that the album Room Service was written after shows in hotel
rooms because we have heard this many times. It is good to hear
him speak even if he does tell us the same thing. Better that than
not at all. We are confused to hear we shouldn’t clap because
he asked us to clap in a certain way for one of the songs. Maybe
next time we should wear gloves because when we began to clap at
the start of one number he stopped and said if he had needed a drummer
he would have brought one! We can’t do anything right it seems.
Bryan still shows that he cares about his audience because he noticed
there were some empty seats closer to the stage. He offered these
seats to people sitting at the back not many artists would have
done this.
To end the review, we are not sure when we will
be at a concert again. Soon we hope. However we are really unsure
how we will be expected to react next time. We hope that this will
not affect our enjoyment because who wants to worry when watching
a concert. We have a combined amount of years being fans of nearly
40 years. How do we change? Bryan’s music has meant a lot to
the both of us, helping us through difficult times and we are grateful.
However this is double sided. The fans have made Bryan what he is
today and been very loyal to him. We just worry that he may have
new fans now because of how he wants them to react. We hope not
because we will miss so much if this happens. We will see what happens
next.
Setlist:
Run To You
Tonight We Have The Stars
Hearts On Fire
Back To You
Here I Am
Thought I'd Died And Gone To Heaven
Can't Stop This Thing We Started
I Thought I'd Seen Everything
When You Love Someone
Heat Of The Night
Not Romeo Not Juliet
Everything I Do
Cuts Like A Knife
Lonely Nights
You're Still Beautiful To Me
Summer Of '69
Walk On By
Heaven
The Right Place
When You're Gone
The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You
Somebody
Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman?
Never Let Go
Straight From The Heart
Take Me Back
She's Only Happy When She's Dancin'
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