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EaglesBabe18 · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Posts: 19895 Location: Hotel California

America will be performing a handful of concerts around the UK, in March '07.

I'll be going to the Cardiff show, at St David's Hall on March 19th. :D

More dates/tix here - http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/artist/734424
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EaglesBabe18 · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Posts: 19895 Location: Hotel California

There's also shows throughout 2007, mostly during the spring and summer - in Italy, Australia, US and Canada. EM, I see FL there. Wink

http://www.venturahighway.com/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=14&MMN_position=21:21
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EaglesBabe18 · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Posts: 19895 Location: Hotel California

An excellent show tonight, and these guys are as good as ever! Had a great time, and a review will follow soon. Cool

Here's the ticket stub for now.

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euro rock · Joined: 19 Apr 2006 Posts: 783 Location: in my backyard

Looking forward to your review :D
Sounds like you had a great time!

EaglesBabe18 · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Posts: 19895 Location: Hotel California

Sorry for the short delay! :D

America - Here And Now at St David's Hall, Cardiff - 19/3/07

Within days before the show at St David's Hall, Cardiff this evening, it appears to be a sell out, as taking my place at the front of the side circle reflects with an intimate hall near full of eager fans of all ages, as it's America's first visit to Wales (and UK) in over 30 years! At precisely 8pm, the main lights fade to an excited audience's cheers as the opening act, Andy Steele from the English band Muddyhead, takes centre stage and plays a small set of folk themed numbers including new song Penguin Eggs and Miracle Cure from the debut album, Land And Sea. A talented performer, and appreciative audience response to his set. A 20 minute interval as the stage is rearranged, with several guitars, a piano, keyboard and a red drumkit with America's classic logo on the front of the drumhead, with a plain black curtain as the backdrop of the stage. 9pm comes with lights down once more, as America - Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley enter the stage to welcoming applause, followed by Michael Woods on lead guitar, Rich Campbell on Bass and Willie Leacox on drums.

Various colour changing spots, including reds, blues and oranges highlight the stage as Riverside begins the evening of a long set of classics, and a few new songs. A rocking Ventura Highway and You Can Do Magic are first up of the classics, followed by Don't Cross The River with some outstanding harmonising. Slowing down the pace for next song Daisy Jane, first of the love songs we'd be hearing that evening, and introduced as a song to snuggle upto! Next up two new songs from the recent new 2CD album release - Here And Now. Chasing The Rainbow and the slower but nice One Chance with both songs receiving warm applause. Heading back to the early days, and the award winning I Need You - with a quip about it known as the 'Kiss Of Death' grammy award, but we're still here! Two songs from the Homecoming album Head And Heart followed by Cornwall Blank, are next before a cool medley with Hollywood.

More classics as the band head straight into Tin Man and The Border, with yet another rocking hit Woman Tonight followed by Gerry taking his place at the piano for love song Only In Your Heart which really made his excellent harmonies shine. A surprise treat up next to the quip, you will recognise this as the band launched into a splendid rendition of The Mamas and The Papas well known hit California Dreamin' of which smiles broke out on faces and murmurs all around, as the memories came to mind! Back to a change of pace with Lonely People with a dedication to all you lonely people! Two more new songs, the upbeat Ride On with a hint of CCR, especially in the opening bars! Then, Glass King co-written with Ryan Adams.

Onto the band intros, and Never Be Lonely is the next song before the brilliantly performed Sandman with an added riff at the end with the band gathered around Will's drumkit, to well deserved applause. Sister Golden Hair and an encouraging gesture to join in with some handclapping, though many around me especially seemed to decline. Gerry flicked a guitar pick into the air, as he joined the rest of the band for the end of set bow before heading off stage, but no one moved except the sound of feet stamping into the floor and shouts for more - of course they wouldn't leave without playing the hit that made them their name? Suddenly, a flutter of movement on the stage as the band return for the one and only encore of the night to the sounds of the enthusiastic crowd - A Horse With No Name. Will showed off his drumming talents (and will be into his 35th year with America this summer) by twirling around the drumstick in his left hand in the air, in rhythm to the beat. Very neat! A few more picks flicked into the floor area, with one guy who dashed to the front, and ended up crawling across part of the stage for his share! Then, goodnight once more and California Dreamin' fades and we're brought back to reality, as our America journey comes to a close.

Considering America haven't played the UK for quite some time, it was very interesting what the night would bring and it's clear these guys enjoy what they do, reflecting on the excellent performance this evening. They sound/play as good as ever, and the harmonies were spot on. If/when they return to the UK, I know i'll be seeing them again. A show not to be missed!
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Henley_Fan · Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 9:05 am Post subject:

Very nice review, EB!! :D Cool

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winslowboy · Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Posts: 13205 Location: Wiley Coyote

Yep, very good, short and concise - just like Ventura Highway Laughing

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eaglemom · Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 6315

Great review EB! Sounds like a great show. What was Dad's reaction?

EaglesBabe18 · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Posts: 19895 Location: Hotel California

Well, to put it this way - the 30 year wait to see them was well worth it!

Thanks for the comments everyone. :D
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EaglesBabe18 · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Posts: 19895 Location: Hotel California

This is the Here And Now 2CD set for those who might be interested. Features most of the songs played at the concert.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Here-Now-America/dp/B000KG4BPO/ref=pd_bbs_1/026-5996983-5676444?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1175024171&sr=8-1 (UK)

http://www.amazon.com/Here-Now-America/dp/B000KG4BPO/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-1338576-9841615?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1175024929&sr=8-1 (US)

(These are direct links from the Rockphiles blog!)
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euro rock · Joined: 19 Apr 2006 Posts: 783 Location: in my backyard

Only now had time to read the review Confused

Thanks, EB, great job, interesting read :D

EaglesBabe18 · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Posts: 19895 Location: Hotel California

America return to UK for a few concerts around England in November. Tix on sale tomorrow. Cool

http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/artist/734424/?affiliate=ZB80&m3_data=ej0zNDc2fHA9MTF8YT0yMTYz
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EaglesBabe18 · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Posts: 19895 Location: Hotel California

America - St David's Hall - Cardiff Part 2 - 23/3/09

Driving into the sunset to Cardiff (but not quite Ventura Highway!) with America's Greatest Hits CD playing in the background, seemed a perfect atmosphere for the evening to come. I donned my Golden Gate Bridge shirt (bought in San Francisco) in honour of the Hearts album (cover sleeve) that I first remember.

I last saw the band 2 years earlier in the heights of the tier section, and my review from then pretty much sums up what I saw tonight, so i'll keep it concise. But from a more interesting perspective on this occasion sitting on the 5th row! A few audience members arrived wearing America concert shirts, and one even sporting an Eagles Farewell shirt!

A new addition to the show began the evening with a range of video montages featuring album covers and band photos on the screen backdrop for the opening number, Riverside. Then, Ventura Highway, highlighted by a setting sun backdrop took me back in time to my trip along the West Coast a couple of years previously.

You Can Do Magic followed, and it was clear that the audience and band alike enjoy what they do, as Gerry Beckley then explained that they hope to book more Cardiff shows (inbetween the other 100 or so they play each year around the world) in the near future.

It was a real treat to hear Submarine Ladies, a song never performed live before until this tour. More montages featuring clips from around Hollywood set the scene for the medley of Cornwall Blank/Hollywood. Scenes from Haight/Ashbury (San Francisco) themed a great rendition of California Dreamin', then Golden Gate Bridge above the fog which brought Sandman to life.

The only encore, A Horse With No Name, brought the evening to a close with a backdrop of a horse in the desert, fading out to reveal the band logo/stars and stripes once more. Appreciative applause and a well deserved standing ovation was warmly received, as the guys took centre stage bows in a fitting finale to another rocking America evening!

Set

Riverside
Ventura Highway
You Can Do Magic
Don't Cross The River
Daisy Jane
Old Man Took
I Need You
Submarine Ladies
From A Moving Train
Cornwall Blank/Hollywood
Eleanor Rigby
Tin Man
Woman Tonight
Only In Your Heart
California Dreamin'
Lonely People
Survival
Sandman
Sister Golden Hair

Encore

A Horse With No Name

Another real treat was the surprise announcement that Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley were to sit down in the foyer to sign personalised photos. Almost the entire auditorium packed out the line to meet and greet the guys, who were kind enough to spend time chatting and signing/taking photos one to one.

It was lovely to see the younger kids ecstatic faces at the opportunity to shake hands and have photos taken with the guys. I overheard the person in front of me tell Gerry and Dewey that they travelled all the way to LA to see a show a few years prior. Even at this event, some people had travelled from Plymouth in SW England to all the way from Japan! Another guy had a concert photo signed, and Dewey vowed never to wear the said shirt again! LOL

When my turn came, they signed my name (and theirs) on an official photo, and joked that they hoped the spelling of my name was correct. It is! They were nice enough to have a photo with me as well, and Gerry even complimented the new camera I brought with me! They are very friendly guys and it was a pleasure to greet them, so to speak!
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winslowboy · Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Posts: 13205 Location: Wiley Coyote

In the meantime Wink

Then and now!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e12vzUFEQUg&feature=related
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EaglesBabe18 · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Posts: 19895 Location: Hotel California

Great video. Thanks for posting that, WB. It sounded great in Cardiff last night. You should take a trip down it next time they're near you. Wink

http://www.venturahighway.com/index.php?&MMN_position=1:1
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