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September 15th/16th 2003
Today was a travel day so we had the opportunity to get up late
and relax in the sun for a while. After I recovered from the devastating
news that Michael Shumacher had won the Italian Grand Prix, Monica
and I walked down to the shore of the Black Sea, winding our way
amongst the sun bathers who somehow found a way to get comfortable
on the rocks that made up the beach!! There I dipped my toes in
the water which is something I always do as a little personal tribute
to my Dad. He sailed almost every ocean in the world during the
second world war (still don't know why they call it that… it's
a bit like the Yankees being called world champions of baseball!)
and once, when he and I were together in Long Beach, California,
we stood together in the Pacific… the only ocean he had never
seen… and I decided to continue the "ritual". Just
a little personal aside.
Sochi is not far from Turkey and Iran, Armenia, etc., so it's a
different part of the world for sure!
A quick coffee and off to the rain station for our 14-hour ride
to Lugansk. The train had no restaurant car so we loaded up with
stuff and actually the journey was quite enjoyable. I was able to
get some sleep, at least until the Ukrainian border so we arrived
early in the morning not feeling too bad.
Lugansk is a small town. The hotel was nice enough though not at
all luxurious by western standards and though we had arrived safely,
apparently my Hammond was still in Russia!!!
They eventually got it but everything was late as a result. Sound
check was hurried but I reminded everyone of the old truth that
a bad sound check usually means a good gig… and I was right!
It was a great gig, completely sold out and the audince was fantastic…
rocking when they should have and listening when I hoped they would.
This is the set list for this tour in case you're interested…………
the show runs just under two hours.
- Intro CD
- Overture/Prelude
- Out Of My Control
- July Morning
- Give Me A Reason
- The Return
- The Wizard
- I Close My Eyes
- Who Knows
- Stealin'
- Easy Living
- The Last Dance
- Lady In Black
- (Encore) Tell Me
The gremlins were still after us though and, in the middle of Gypsy,
the organ started smoking!! Apparently a transformer was burning
out but Fabian and Tommy took over with a quick "improv"
and we stormed into the new version of Lady in Black which
really got the place jumping.
On for the encore and I broke two strings to add to the mystery
but still we tore the place up and it was a great, great night!
We have a couple of days off coming up so we can get things fixed
for the Kiev show but for now it was time to celebrate a victory!!
My choice is always to say a few prayers of thanks in such a moment
too!!
A late, late night but tomorrow is a travel day (another 14-hour
train ride) so we can relax and enjoy it. It's been an eventful
start to the tour but the guys are really playing well and the "team"
seems able to solve the little logistical problems we are running
into so I am thankful for that…
In this part of the world things are done very differently and it
is good to be properly prepared for that. By now I think I am…
More soon, God bless!
Next
day...
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