REVIEWS:

So, here we go... I just got in from the Lake Buena Vista show at the House of Blues.  Let's just say that my hands are still shaking from the amount of excitement I have been through the last TWO nights!  Yes, you heard right!  I live in Tampa and I had to catch Fiona at the Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater AND at the House of Blues!  I missed her when she toured Tidal and was damn well sure not missing any bit of her this time around. 

I had been reading the reviews and pretty much knew what to expect...so I thought!  All the wonderful things that the reviews had said about the shows just could not explain in words what the show offered.  Fiona ripped every single one of those songs, singing like she would never sing again, truly from the bottom of her heart.  I really enjoyed being able to see her in this type of setting.  The Ruth Eckerd Hall is a beautiful venue that complemented her deliciously.  I didn't feel crowded or hostile towards others, I was able to sit back in my seat and just enjoy her.  It was truly a sweet First Taste.  I, too, shed some tears during I Know, like many others around me.  The sweetness of that song remind that Fiona loves just like we do her...unconditionally.  There is nothing else for me to say about this show other than that she shined brighter than any other star has on that stage!  And, that is no Mistake!

Now, as for tonight's show, it was a total out-of-body experience for me!  I knew that this was the show that I wanted to be at.  If worse came to worse and I had to choose a show, I had already made up in my mind that this was the show!  And, boy was it EVER!  It starts like this... My friend and I got there at about 7:45pm ( I worked all day and had an hour and a half drive).  By this time, the floor was pretty much full.  We decided that we should try to stand somewhere other than the floor since I am so darn short (barely standing 5'2").  So, there we stood on the steps right in the center, looking straight on.  We stood through the Eels (is it just the one guy or what? I thought he was better at Ruth Eckerd) and waited patiently as Ms. Apple took the stage.  Once again, she took my breath away!  She sang beautifully and really did seem to have more energy than the night before.  I really think she was feeling the crowd much better since they were at her feet, yelling and screaming their love for the adored fan.  I admit, I did sing along to some songs but, I couldn't help it.  I felt free tonight!  I felt free to dance and connect with her, the music, and my own self.  Just when I thought my night could not get any better!!!  I brought her my copy of "Heart of a Woman" by her fave poet and writer, as we all know, Maya Angelou.  I dedicated it to her and everything.  I had it with me and was really scared that I wouldn't be able to give it to her.  My friends were laughing at me.  I had been so excited to see her and give her this and now I was so scared my heart raced and palms sweat. So, during The Way Things Are, I politely excused myself through the multitude to the front.  (You'd be surprised how far you get with just simply saying, "Excuse me, I'd like to give something to Fiona.")  I got all the way to the front.  When up there, I found myself next to whom I think are Fiona's most beautiful fans.  These three girls let me stand in front of them and wait until Fiona stood from the piano again and actually HAND her the book.  So, she did and I did, I handed Fiona my copy of the book.  She just looked at the book, then me and with the most sincere smile and purest eyes said, "Oh gosh, thank you, thank you so much!"  All I could do was stand there and cry my little eyes out.  She thanked me, when I was there thanking her for being who she was.  And, furthermore, for drawing in the kinds of people that are friendly and genuine and caring towards one another because we share one thing -- love for Fiona.  I mean these girls even let me stay there after the fact when I was turning around to walk back to my spot since Fiona already had my book!  It was like a big family.  (Any fan of Fiona's is my friend too, kind of thing!)  If those three girls are reading this, THANK YOU SO MUCH.  I know it sounds cheesy to say but, you have really restored my faith in people.

Fiona is truly an amazing person and artist.  And, for that I thank her!  Her songs and lyrics have helped me in so many ways, that it sometimes becomes mind-boggling to me.  These two evenings will be and are etched in my heart as one of the most glorious in my life.  I will NEVER forget this experience -- and, we all know that Never is a Promise.

With love and admiration,

Millie Figuereo
Tampa, FL

PS Keep up the FANtastic work on NIAP!

Hi, people! I think you're gonna like my experience! First of all, I have to apologize for my mistakes, English is not my native language, but I'll do my best...!

Ok, so I'm from Rio de Janeiro (BRAZIL), and I got to know Fiona from a friend of mine who's crazy about her. And from the first time I heard "I Know" I also fell in love for her...! So I heard that she was going on tour, and I decided that I couldn't miss it! The distance between USA and Brazil wouldn't be a big problem, because my mom works for an airline company and I could get free plane tickets (very nice, huh?!).  So I bought my tickets for the show via the Internet and I couldn't wait to get on the airplane! So I arrived in Orlando on April 13th , after a nine-hour flight.  The next day (the big day!) I arrived early in Downtown Disney, picked up my tickets in the House of Blues and went with my mom to the Cirque du Soleil (and it was wonderful, though sometimes I was daydreaming about Fiona and the show I was going to see in a few moments!)

We left Cirque du Soleil at about 7:45 p.m., crossed the street and got into the House of Blues. I was afraid they would search my purse and find my tape recorder and my camera, but they were nice and let everyone take pics and record the show!

I thought the house was bigger, but it's a very nice place. There were a lot of people already in there, but I could get a good place on the left side of the stage, right in front of the piano. I didn't know what to expect from The Eels, I just knew it was one guy and I think he was great. He did some comments about how funny it was to play in Disneyland, and he said something about Goofy doing cocaine, and he got kind of upset because people wouldn't stop talking while he was singing. He tried to make them shut up by saying that Fiona would go away if we weren't nice to him, and then he finished his show trying to ignore the talking.

While we were waiting for Fiona some people were trying to get closer to the stage, and three enormous people stopped almost in front of me. My view would have been better if they weren't there, but it was not that bad anyway.

So Fiona appeared, waved to the audience with a smile and got to the piano without saying a word. I can't express what I felt while I was watching her (I wouldn't know how to write it in Portuguese, let alone in English!!). She was great, her voice was perfect and I think she was in a great mood, because she was smiling and dancing a lot during the songs. After playing "To Your Love" she went to the mic at the center of the stage and said: " Hi, I know what I wanna say: I don't even know if this girl is here right now, but there was a girl on the Virgin Megastore earlier who gave me a note (and the girl yelled). Did you give me a note? 'Cause I lost it, it fell out of my pocket, and I was really afraid you were gonna find it on the street and you'd think I had thrown
it away or something, and please don't - ok, if you wanna write me another I won't lose it, I swear." (isn't she nice?!) And then people yelled and she said "Ok, next song", and sang Criminal beautifully. I was just thinking about how happy this girl was at that moment, because Fiona was talking directly to her and apologizing for losing the note, It was incredibly remarkable!

Ok, I won't write about each music, because it would take a long time, I'll just say that it was the most incredible experience in my life! And there were much more to come...!
When she left the stage and the lights went on I couldn't believe that my dream had really come true. And I thought that, as I went to Orlando just to see her show, I couldn't miss the chance to get an autograph. About thirty people were standing near the back door of the House of Blues when she finally appeared. I was right in front of her, incredibly near while she was signing other people's papers, but the big bodyguard said that she didn't want pictures and I respected that. Then the girl next to me said she was the girl of the note, and Fiona started saying she was sorry, and all that stuff about the note falling out of her pocket and how she was afraid the girl would find the note on the street. Finally it was my chance to get an autograph, and I handled her my WTP and said something like: "Hi, Fiona. I came all the way up from Brazil just to see you tonight". She looked at me, wide-opened her big blue eyes and said "Oh my God, thank you!" (she said "oh my God" very slowly, it was beautiful!). I asked if she could sign my Tidal, too, and she did, still staring at me. I think she was really surprised by the fact that I came from Brazil, because after handling back my paper she still had her eyes wide-opened. I was so amazed by her reaction that I couldn't figure out anything else to say (it was a pity, because I should have asked for a picture, maybe she wouldn't mind it after all). By the time I got to the hotel I couldn't believe that everything went so perfect. Now I'm back to my country, happier than ever, and all I can say is: don't ever give up on your dreams!

My love to you all!
(If anyone wants to write me, my e-mail is elencuna@gbl.com.br)

Elen.

Ps:  I love this home page, you're great! Please correct any stupid mistakes, ok?! Thanks!
Ps2: If I have any good picture of the show I can send it to you, if you want. I'm going to have the film developed this week!

This day was the best day in my entire life!!! I met Fiona in virgin mega record store earlier (around 4:30) and handed her a note while she was going down the escalator and I was going up. She looked up, smiled, and said thanks. Then when the concert started I was at the front with my cousin and a friend (We are the 3 girls that let you get in front of us to hand the book to Fiona!! = )   and you're welcome!) and she sang the 1st 2 songs then went to the mic and said "I have to say this before I forget. I met this girl
today at the virgin mega record store (my cousin screamed and everyone pointed to me) is that you?"  I said yeah and she goes "I am sooo sorry I lost the letter I was so scared you were going to find it and think I didn't care but I do! write me again and I swear I'll read it" (it maybe a little wrong but that was about what she said). She went on with the show. 
Afterwards she was signing autographs and I wrote her again and she had her head down and was signing everything so fast. I handed her the note and said I am the girl from the VMRS and she stopped what she was doing looked RIGHT into my eyes and said pretty much what she said on the stage and she signed my WTP and Tidal cds!!! She talked for like 2 minutes to me! I still can't believe this actually happened. It was the most awesome concert ever!!!!! She is sooo cute! she was dancing around the whole night!!!

I had a blast at Fiona's concert, although her opening act was a joke, threatening to tell Fi what a bad audience we were for talking through his ridiculous songs.  I was so excited when Fiona came out, she is my all time favourite.  She really put on a show, and she made sure she collected all the gifts people had brought for her.  When the show started she ran out and started banging on her piano and began singing the first track on her new album, filling the whole place with energy.  She was quiet entertaining, and during the song "Limp" she danced very limp and sexy with her hair in her face.  She made us all laugh during the song "Criminal" singing about how she needed to make a "fucking good play" to make her lover stay, and the end was especially interesting, because she sang 2 songs that were not on her album, including an old jazz song.  She sounded excellent singing that song, and she could be an awesome jazz artist if she chose to be.  The other song showed another, playful side of Fi, with the lyrics talking about how kissing her boyfriend was something to sing about.  I have never felt happier than that day.  I listen to Fiona everyday and she really knows how to describe the frustrations and complications every relationship goes to.  She is very heartfelt and original, and I am very content that her relationship now is rewarding and that she truly loves him.

From Fiona Apple's #1 Fan
Stephanie crazaygata@aol.com

i dont know where to start off. fiona was great the night was great. and the whole thing is still leaving me happy. i really want to say millie, i want to say thankyou, because it made me and carly soo happy what you said. (we were the girls up front) and thankyou fiona if you ever come across this, because i agree that night she sang her heart out it seems and put everything into that show. and it was the most incredible thing. and it was because of the way she is, who she is that makes it great. and not like anyone else. now tell me what more could you ask from a musician?: incredible lyrics, and expression; voice; a real person; talent; and the ability to put on a great show. so id like to say thankyou for everything, because in the midst of all this crap, the world cant suck so bad. when you've still got good people out there, and music from the heart.

kathy