ticket from Sherry
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REVIEWS
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From Derrick:
Just a warning first...not
everyone may enjoy reading this review...but it IS a review in the true
sense. Just not what everyone may be expecting. I have to start out
by saying that the employees/staff at the House of Blues in New Orleans
are the biggest bunch of a-holes I've ever seen in one place in my
life! To say the security was "tight" is a severe
*understatement*. There must have been 20 or more roving spies with
headsets monitoring everyone in the audience at all times...to check
things like smoking (she didn't allow this), recording, pictures,
etc. I know several people even got their cameras taken from
them. I felt if I just breathed the wrong way they would tell me to
leave it was so ridiculous. I have no clue when Fiona arrived...but
I was there at 3:00pm, and was told she was already in the building.
I also missed her when it was over, because they seemed to have snuck her
out some other door, and all 30-40 fans who had been waiting over an hour
outside to see her were VERY disappointed. I just don't get
it. I hope this wasn't her choice, but I have to think it may have
been...and if not, then thanks to the great ole House Of Blues once again
for screwing things up. The Eels opened for her...and actually it
was just one member of the band doing an acoustic set. I don't
really want to get into it much, but I'll just say if someone had given me
a guitar, I could have done a better job than that guy did. And I've
never really played guitar in my life. He could play, sure, but it
was his overall stage presence, things he said, that really messed the
whole thing up. Fiona would have been better off not having anyone
open for her in this case. Her show itself was fair to good.
I'd rate it maybe 6-7 out of 10. I've seen MUCH better from her on
TV though...like Sessions. Her voice cracked alot, she tried hitting
notes she obviously couldn't, and I didn't really think she was that
prepared for the show....after being off 2 weeks. The band sounded
ok I guess...but they even admitted to having not practiced since the last
show they did, 2 weeks before. So I guess everyone was a bit
rusty. Fiona was very energized...she admitted to drinking an espresso
before the show, so maybe that's why. I wish she had talked a little
more to the fans as well. She did very little...but maybe that's just how
she is. She played 16 songs...most all of her new CD, and about 4
off her first one...all the singles of course. And the 2 for the
encore she had been doing before. Pretty much the same set I had seen
posted in the past on this tour. It lasted about an hour, maybe just
over. I didn't hate the concert itself, and I don't hate Fiona, but
I think the House of Blues could have been quite a bit more civil about
some things, and not freaked out at every little thing. I really
think everyone employed there has a major attitude problem. If I weren't
such an easy-going person, 2 or 3 fights would have broken out. I had
friends who I KNOW wouldn't have put up with their antics. It was
just totally ridiculous. I really hope she never plays there
again...I know I'm not ever going back. It's funny that's it's even
called the House of Blues, since I really thought Blues was supposed to
mean easy-going, laid "A disappointed Fiona fan"
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From Sherry:
The New Orleans show was great all except for the House of Blues itself. As another fan pointed out, security was very tight and everyone was being watched. I was one of the people taken outside for using a camera. (and may i add, the flash was not even on so i wouldn't annoy anyone else) The woman hauled me outside like i was doing something illegal. All i wanted was a few pictures of Fiona for my scrapbook but the film is now in the House of Blues trash can. That was a bit disappointing, but hopefully the House of Blues treated Fiona and the band better than they treated the audience! I would hate for the them to never perform in Louisiana again because of being treated badly. This was the first time i had ever seen Fiona in concert and I thought the show itself was great! She was even better to hear in person. She seemed incredibly sweet when she talked with the audience and it really looked like she was having a good time performing. She and the band would often exchange smiles throughout the performance and I thought that was great to see. Lots of times performers will not even give their bands the time of day while they are singing. Fiona however looked as though she and the band were friends both on and off the stage. During the tune "I'll Know" there was a rumble of conversation going through the crowd when suddenly everyone else starting trying to get them to shut up. After the song, Fiona expressed how cool she thought it was that the "good people" where trying to get the "a-holes" to be quiet. Fiona is an incredibly talented lyricist, singer, and performer and she is even more incredible in person. Hopefully she will perform in Louisiana again, but this time, not in the House of Blues!
- Sherry
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From Daniel:
The Big Apple Meets The Big Easy Part II
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From
Sean: Fiona, if you read these reviews, let me just say one thing directly to you. If you have a say in the matter, don't ever play the House of Blues in New Orleans again. Please. For the fans sake. Those morons that run the place have ruined both of your shows that I have seen there. This time was really bad. Just read the other review for all the details, I don't even want to get into it. Just play another venue in New Orleans next time, if you can. Although the House of Blues did their best to ruin the evening, it was still Fiona, and she is still incredible. She apologized for the two weeks off, but the music was still great. There was only one person between me and the stage and I was on the left side so she was right there. It's amazing to see her that close. I don't think she had any make-up on, and she doesn't need any. She's at the top of my "Famous People I'd Like to Meet List". Unfortunately, the House of Blues made that impossible. (OK, so I will go into it). You won't see any happy pictures of fans with a smiling Fiona. There was no opportunity to take any. So, I have to look at reviews of other show to see lucky fans having a good time with Ms. Apple. Not even an autograph was to be had. And while the House of Blues was busy being Nazi's, they couldn't keep the idiot fans from talking and laughing during her most intimate moments. At one point she actually backed away from the mic at the beginning of a quiet song and said "Shut up" to herself. She did make those of us that were actually there to she a show feel good after this tune though. She said that maybe on here next CD she could put a background track of people talking and laughing during the songs, and she thanked those of us that were tuned in. She was also throwing out little gifts to the audience, and that was fun. Fiona, you are a gorgeous, gifted, soulful artist, and we love you. Your music speaks directly to our hearts. Your first CD was incredible, and the second is mind-blowing in it's maturity and passion. The amount of growth from one to the next was amazing. Keep doing exactly what you do. I'll just have to go to another City to see you next time, because I, and everyone that went to the show with me, will never go the House of Blues again. Thanks for a great show. I only wish I could travel to all of your shows. But I'll have to just read these reviews instead. Take care. Sean
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From
Jessica:
Getting TO the theatre was a
pain in the ass. We were planning on going to eat at House of Blues before
the concert because if you eat there they let you in the dinner line and
let you in before every one else. We had to turn around to go back because
my traveling companion forgot something , then there was mix up with the
tickets and we had to go back to the car and it was just a big mess, but I
digress.
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