REVIEWS:

Hi - my name is Angela, and I just wanted to submit a few notes about Fiona's show here in Pittsburgh, PA last night at the Palumbo Center. 

First, I'd like to say a few words about Jurassic 5... even if you're not a fan of hip-hop music, you can't help but to be entertained by these guys. They have talent to spare, but even better, it couldn't be more obvious that they're having the time of their lives. What a fun performance they put on! They couldn't have been more grateful to Fiona for asking them along, and mentioned that they have both a website (www.jurassic5.com) and a record about to come out on Interscope. I and rest of the audience enjoyed them tremendously! On to Fiona...

The set list was the same as the prior show in Washington D.C.... Fiona came out, looking beautiful as always in a black sweater over her pink tank shirt, and a long, slitted black skirt with black pants underneath. How amazing when she sat down at the piano to launch "On the Bound," to hear that incredible voice filling the theater! Between On the Bound, To Your Love, and Criminal, she was spraying something which appeared to be throat spray; she was battling a slight cold. When she came up to the microphone stand for Criminal, she said that she was in a silly mood - she then launched into the song and did a beautiful job, though she had to take advantage of several of the song's vocal pauses to cough ("I'm so sorry," she mouthed to the audience). But she was doing more than fine - her voice sounded amazing even through the cold. When she returned to the piano for Sullen Girl, she said, "did I say I was in a silly mood? I meant I'm in a sick mood! But it's okay!" She then continued on with the show, dancing with such energy, pouring such passion into her performance, her voice growing stronger still with each song. And what a perfect mix of songs she chose, playing all ten from the new record (which hasn't left my CD player since the day of its release!), a few from Tidal, and two covers for her encore, which Fiona wrapped her gorgeous voice around and made completely hers. During a couple of songs, she seemed to miss a few words but it didn't detract a bit from her performance - just made the experience even more "live" - and she was consummately professional, forging on and picking right back up each time. At one point, she laughed and said, "I'm just f'ing up all over the place tonight! But it's okay!"

Fans rushed the stage and packed the center aisle completely during the encores. I loved how Fiona treated her fans, bantering from the stage and reaching down to touch hands and graciously accept all of the gifts that she was offered. She was particularly amused by the gift of a soft pretzel, left on the edge of the stage: "I can't believe how funny that is... a pretzel! And you knew it was funny when you did it, too, I saw your face... you thought 'she's singing, she doesn't see me' but I did!"

Fiona mentioned that she is a big fan of Pittsburgh's own Oscar Levant (a pianist renowned for his wit as well as his musicianship), and that she was reading several biographies on him at the moment. She mentioned one of his quotes that she identified with, "When a concert is really bad, I'm bored, and when it's really good, I'm jealous." Well, Fiona, I think it's safe to say that your audience was both jealous of your extraordinary talent and grateful for this opportunity to experience it. Thank you for carrying on and performing an amazing show for us even though you were under the weather. If you hadn't told us, we could have never guessed - you were spectacular!

-- Angela

picture courtesy of Howard

From Howard:

The doors opened at 6:30. My girlfriend and I got to the A.J. Palumbo Center at around that time. We were pretty much psyched at even that point. As soon as we entered the center, the t-shirt racks could be seen. We both got the white shirt with a computerized picture of Fiona opening her mouth to the already infamous match that can be seen on her video and in the album. Then we went to sit. We were anxious to see our seats since they were tenth row. We were extremely close, especially since the rows aren't separated by great space. Before Jurassic 5 took stage, we went out to walk around. I talked to some guys that met Fiona, and then we went back to our seats. Then, Jurassic 5 took stage at 7:30. I heard they pretty much could tear a house down. Whoever said it was right. They got the crowd ready for Fi, and their beats and bass were amazing. The whole audience was enjoying them. At around 8:00, they said goodbye. We met one of the guys during the break and took pics. Then we went back to the seats for Fiona. 

Some announcer listed the upcoming events at the venue, and right after he left, the lights went out. In a quick-moving line, the band walked onstage, with Fiona hopping up and down behind them and pouncing on the piano bench. She was wearing a dark overcoat and black skirt. She kicked off with "On The Bound". It rocked. Then she jammed right into "To Your Love". Afterwards, she glided out to the center stage and took off her overcoat to reveal a pink tanktop. The real problem came when she started "Criminal". Almost immediately, her voice went hoarse, and stayed that way for each line. Then, after one of the lines hardly came out, she leaned away from the mic, coughed and screamed "FUCK!!!". She still attempted, and needed to keep coughing to solve the problem. She eventually got everything down and was fine. Afterwards, she apologized and said that "we all fuck up sometimes". The audience didn't care. We all screamed positively. Then she was happy again. The rest of the songs ruled of course. She danced alot and cracked alot of jokes. She is very funny. Fans were also an occasional problem. They all ran up and tried to shake her hand. She allowed about two fans to do so and then said, "ok let's not start this now". Security lead them back to their seats. Two girls, overwhelmed by Fiona's presence, were bawling their eyes out. Then, some guy left a pretzel on the stage for her. She laughed and he came up to her. She got up and told us..."He named his cat after me! I feel special." Finally, after an awesome version of "Fast As You Can", Fiona left and we all cheered her on for an encore. Returning to the stage again, she sang "Just One of Those Things", a Cole Porter song that she sang to with a CD. Then her band came back and rocked through Bill Wither's song "Kissing My Love", a rare sound for Fiona (it was very much like the beat to "You Oughta Know"). Then she thanked us all and left for good.

I was pretty much speechless after the last song, until the lights went on and I had to go back to the real world again. But all my problems were gone, and I knew this was one of the most powerful concert experiences I had ever had. 

by Howard

ok, well of course u know fi was off the hook!! k to anyone who sings along to her singin...please please stop. now i begin w/ jurassic 5, they did a very good job, i couldnt keep still the whole fuckin time.. (i was mostly anxious for fiona to come on at that time). this is my first fi concert so bare w/ me! after about a half hour she started playing w/ the lights out at first...the heavenly "on the bound"...i could have sworn the roof went flying off. then for the next act i stood by the stage (not bothering anyone) cuz im very short.  i went to see "to your love" and fuck was that ever so brilliant!! when she did criminal i started to lip sink...and i think she made eye contact w/ me...that was kewl! after these to fucked up drunk girls were singin so loud...i could of hit them...but i was in full awe the whole time of watchin the goddess perform the crier..."sullen girl".  let me just say all of the songs were just so tremendous...especially a mistake , limp, and fast as u can...very hard core this time. and for " i know" aaaaaaahhhhhhhh...the lights on her piano show how much talent she has...i love that song. fi was saying good night and i thought it was the end...but then she came out to do a cole porter song...ohmygod...she sounds so much like ella..or billie...and kissing my love was too great!! what an amazing show:)   then after words i met keith and matt...keith is sooooooooo sweet and i had to leave cuz poor fi is a little sick:( i love u fi if ur reading this.  and i hope u get better.  u were fuckin great!!!

Hello, I haven't ever written concert reviews and this was my first Fiona show (last time my show got cancelled). I drove from Akron Ohio two hours to get there and my car overheated, but that's another story. I was in the fifth row and completely enjoyed the performance! I made a word collage for Fiona that I left on the stage before she came out. The security guards tried to talk me into going and giving it to her while she was on stage, but I didn't have the guts and I didn't want to bug her. Anyways, she noticed it there after she left the piano and said, "I'm in a strange mood tonight...and I just got a strange gift." I couldn't breathe. I hope she didn't think I was mental or something. So she was having throat trouble during criminal and was obviously upset about it. But, she let us in on the secret that "..when in doubt, do a tap dance." Then she started tap dancing furiously. Ha. The slow songs were wonderful, but some idiots behind me were talking and singing. Then, there were these really annoying girls in the aisle right in front of Fiona during carrion. They were dancing and talking...not even watching Fiona. I think everyone was annoyed with them. Eventually they got ushered to their seats. Well I don't want to write too much, but the show was amazing considering that Fiona wasn't feeling well. She had to fight to keep her voice going. We all understood that and appreciated it.

Liz

picture courtesy of Jeremy

From Jeremy

This was my first Fiona show.  I work unusual hours so it is hard for me to catch many concerts but I made sure to take a vacation day off for this show.  I arrived at the venue early, so I was able to meet Fiona briefly as her tour bus arrived.  She was quite gracious signing a few autographs and posing for a few photos for the handful of fans that were present.  All I have to say is that it was one of the happiest times I have had in recent years.  I am so glad I was able to meet her...even if only for a brief second.  I am usually not one to get starstruck or nervous, but I experienced both when I saw her.

Now on to the show...I was pleasantly surprised with J5.  They put on a great set and  warmed over a crowd that seemed less than enthused at first.  I was so excited when Fiona took the stage.  She looked beautiful as usual and I was quite pleased with my seats in the sixth row.  I thought that she put on an incredible show.  I know that she was sick, but I believe that this added to the show.  Because it seemed to make it all the more personal.  It was beautiful to see her work through the frustration of the illness.  She dealt with the problems in a quite humorous way and everything made her seem that much more tangible and real. It all comes down to the fact that it was one of my favorite concert experiences ever.  The songs sounded wonderful, her between song banter was inspired, and my brief encounter was heaven.

Jeremy