REVIEWS:

Hello! Sorry I haven't posted this review yet, started writing it friday and the power in our building went out, so ka-poo! It was gone.

This won't be a greatly detailed review, as I was there to hear Fiona's mesmerizing voice and music and paid very little attention to most of the smaller details that most people talk about in reviews...

First things first, Jurassic 5 - Most everyone seemed to like them pretty well, but I thought the beats and lyrics were a little recycled. I'm a pretty big hip-hop fan (and a DJ) so don't think I'm being biased, It just didn't sound all that original to me. I think they'd be better suited to tour with a more poppy-mainstream act. But hell, I don't make the decisions. :-)

Fiona sounded excellent. No audio problems in Cincy for sure! I expected no less, and she sure delivered. I was down on the floor far to the left, and the stage was dark, so I couldn't see too much of what was going on. I wish I could have seen her at the piano a little better, cause from afar she looked so beautiful sitting in front of the keys. They had it well lit. She did interact with the audience down in the front, it didn't seem that she had any complaints, but I couldn't hear her too well when she was just talking, people wouldn't shut up. But that's cool, everyone seemed to be really excited. Or maybe I was preoccupied by security repeatedly telling me to get out of the isle! 

The second I got there I bought the shirt and threw it on, didn't see anyone else doing the same. Is that not cool or something?? I was proud as hell to wear the shirt out there. I'm just glad nothing got spilled on it. 

I was sad at the end. I could have listened to her another 2 hours. Or 4... time sure flys when you are off in never-never land. I'd love to see her again on the tour but that would mean a trip to the west coast. We'll just have to see. 

Fiona- you're the best. Your music strikes a serious chord with me. Please keep writing and singing as long as you're able to!

David

I'm a big Fiona Apple fan and I just got back from the concert in Cincy and thought I would tell you all about it. The opening band was Jurassic 5, a six-man hip hop outfit, two djs and 4 rappers. I liked them a lot, although it was fairly apparent that many people in the audience just didn't "get it." I thought the audience response was a bit disappointing but nonetheless warm. I don't know if I would necessarily put a hip hop band in front of Fiona; something about that doesn't quite work. But, that's just me maybe. Anyway, there was a short break and when we were all nestled into our seats again, beer in hand, the lights came down and a thunderous roar came from the crowd. The band came out followed by Fiona, who was wearing a little shawl or something like that. I kept thinking, oh its probably the chilly 7 steps from the bus to the back of the theater. It was
so loud in there and we were all enraptured by this tiny waif of a woman. My boyfriend turned to my other friend and said "What? Are the Beatles here?" Fiona made a beeline for the piano bench and then immediately launched into "On The Bound" and then "To Your Love." Fiona did every tune on her new album and a few from Tidal, including Sleep To Dream and Criminal. I had read previously that Fiona had a bit of a cold or something like that in Pittsburgh and coughed a lot during her set. Well, the first part of the set was cough-free but the second half, Fiona was definitely having a little trouble. I was a with a doctor friend and also a nurse, and I jokingly said to both of them "Ya know, you should definitely offer your services after the show. She sounds like she could use a little Zithromax." But honestly, the music spoke for itself, and I think that's what Fiona wanted to do. I love that she has such depth and character in her voice. I can think of few women who have that sort of voice. The only women who come to mind right now are Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughn. I kept thinking, boy, if you gave this girl a little jazz trio; upright, piano and drums, she could give Diana Krall or Lena Horne a serious run for the money. I was rewarded later in the evening during the encore with a wonderful rendition of the classic standard "Just One of Those Things." Fiona does it very much like Ella. Those little vocal pirouettes that helped define Ella. But Fiona definitely has her very own style. Very Cool. You know what the best thing is about her? She's only going to get better and better. I can't wait to hear the next album and concert!

Fiona Apple, March 9th, 2000. Cincinnati Ohio.

I went to the theatre at about 3ish. But now i'm gonna fast forward to when the bus showed up:

(somewhere within the next paragraph I see Matt (drummer) and I call out "Hi Matt!" He looked around and looked (confused/ surprized for the recognition).)

They had us line up along the side of the wall as fiona walked in.

When she walked past no one moved, except to see her better. I immediately realized that no one was rushing her (running almost into her to get her attention).  Fiona very casually looked over and we asked her if she could sign some things. I also noticed how everyone was so careful to let everyone else there get something signed (no one got 2 things signed unless everyone else had already gotten something, but i dont think that anyone actually did get more than one thing signed).

ANYWAYS!!! I was 6 inches away from Fiona (also the closest one to her). 

All pictures courtesy of Kim
you can find more pictures on her webpage

I thought that it was just... so cool how everyone just respected her enough to take two steps back. There was a very peaceful wonderful aura around her, and you got this wonderfully positive feeling you got when standing by her. I gave Fiona my letter and I had her sign my Tidal booklet.  I asked her if she would mind if i could get my picture taken with her. she said: "uhm... i..i... i don't know.. i mean... I feel kind of sick..." and then I say "oh, well I hope that you feel better"

and then she looks up and looks me in the eyes to see if i'm being sincere. And she can tell that I am, and I could just see her eyes smiling...

(note: since i was standing close to her, i'm in a lot of pictures anyways).

She went inside.
I was about to leave and go home for a bit, but I went to go and talk to this very nice couple I met (Kate & Zepps).  And I saw the stage door open out of the corner of my eye.  So I think "its a techie.. no big deal...", then I see Fiona's head come out of the door. She was looking around... For me!!!!  She saw me and waves me over...

Conversation goes like this:
Fiona: "Did you write this?" (holds up letter)

Kim: "um.. yeah :)"

Fiona: (BIG Smile!) "Thank you...." 
(she wasn't just like 'oh goodie... thanks...', she really really seemed so so happy and blown away by my letter and she was just so so sincere, and her eyes were just smiling at me and just.. very very happy...)

Kim: (I said something dumb like "welcome" here)

Fiona: (still smiling) Okay.. well I have to go back inside now...

Kim: I hope you feel better, and have a wonderful tour

Fiona: (Almost giddy smile)
(Closes door)

My mouth drops open at this point...  Within a minute I start crying. (Mind you, I am not a crying person whatsoever).  I STILL can't believe that I met Fiona, and then that she read my letter right away, and then that she came to talk to me...

I stay for a while longer, talking to Kate and Zepps... They soon leave, and I stay longer because I want to meet Keith Lowe (Bassist).

After soundcheck he come out, and he seems extremely surprized that someone actually wants to meet him (of course we do Keith!). He acts even more confused when I ask him to sign my cd. 

Keith: "Are you Sure?"

Kim: "yeah..." 

Keith: "well... Okayy.... I'll Give her a MUSDash! ::signs:: How's that"

Kim: ::Laughing::

and I wanted to get my picture taken with Keith, and then Matt (drummer) walks out!

Kim: "Hey Matt! Would you mind being in a picture?"

Matt walks over and I now have a picture of Matt, Me, and Keith YAY!!!!!

I told Matt "Yeah! and I saw you when you played with Tori... and I got your autograph then, and and... oh god... i'm sorry... I sound like a stalker... oh.... lord... but you know.. i PROMISE you i'm not... oh lord that sounded bad..."(Matt just smiled and laughed at me).

(By the way i was stuttering quite badly...)

That was about the extent of me and Matt's conversation... and I continued to talk to Keith for about five minutes.

Keith seems like a very nice, funny guy :)  Very friendly and easy to talk to.

Anyways. Then I went home to rest after going to one hour photo.

Then I went to the concert. 

I was late and didn't see J5, but I saw them in the lobby and one of the guys recognized me from meeting me earlier in the day (before fiona got there). 

The Concert:

I had front row pit seats (Which I have NEVER gotten before 
and I still can't believe I had...)

We were allowed to take pictures as long as they weren't digital or had a big lens. So we had a small pocket camera... We toke a LOT of pictures, and all of the rolls turned out quite well.  Most of the pictures look like professional photos.

above pictures courtesy of Kim

Fiona was coughing not badly, but she was coughing. I noticed that she would do things like cough with the beats, and she was trying not to make it noticeable. :(I hope she feels better. She would spray something into her mouth in between songs.

The concert went so fast... It seemed to last 5 minutes for me. Keith kept looking at me and smiling or making faces 
at me during the concert making me smile/laugh.  I remember that the encore was especially better than I imagined. Although I admit that I never have heard the originals before,  I think that Fiona did a GREAT job with them.  They used an 'old record' effect with "Just One Of Those Things"

Fiona danced around, and she didn't let her sickness effect 
her (not even her voice!).  At one point she got in a goofy english accent and said "I think I want to be a Ballet dancer!" then make very ungraceful funny ballerina moves. LOL! Someone handed her flowers and she said "wow African Daisys... oh wow... i dont know if they're african daisys or not.. cause i said african daisys but i dont know why and..."

She seemed tired, but she didn't let that effect her.

This was probably if not the best, one of the best days of my life. With a most sincere thank you, to Fiona.

~Kim

Let me start off by saying Wow!  This was the first concert of Fiona's I had been to and it certainly won't be my last.  What a performer!!  But before I get started on her greatness, I must give kudos to J5 for kicking off the night.  Although the audience seemed a little sedentary, my section was up and grooving.  They were great and I liked their message of getting back to the roots and respecting the past. 

    After the first set, my friends and I bought shirts (and by the way wore them whoever said they were the only one:) and got to meet Jurassic Five (pictures, autographs, good times). 

    But when the lights clicked, we knew it was time to take our seats, second row!!!!  When the theatre grew dim, this rush of applause came over, it was awe-stroking although the goddess Fiona totally deserved it.   I'm not going to go through each song and tell you how much I loved it, especially live, because that's all obvious.  But "Paper Bag" brought down the house and that's maybe my favorite "When the Pawn" track, so it was really exciting.  "Criminal" maybe had the most audience members air drumming and lip-synching. 

    But my personal favorite bit of the evening was the encore.  "Just one of those things" is the perfect song for her vocal range as well as a big fave of mine.

    Topping of the evening was seeing Fiona get on her tour bus and getting some pics.  How nice was she?!:)  What a cool chic and a super singing diva!!!!

    Two Thumbs up!!!!!!