REVIEWS:

J5 was great again: "Without a doubt" During "Concrete Playground" (I think that's the name of the song: not sure) they played the "Theme to Rocky" in the middle of the song, with kazoos! (spelling?) The DJ's were strong again, as the scratched their way along with mighty solo's. "Its no contest": they smoke.

And yes, Fiona was great again. I'll just touch a few songs. Paper Bag came across much better this show, as Lucky sat, Matt played the brushes, and Fi sang, "...a little boy." And "the way things are" was very strong also, with Lucky saving the day, and Fi asking the inevitable question, "...How can I fight, when we're on the same side..?". And yes, she seductively danced during the end of Criminal and Sleep to Dream, with Lucky charming the serpent one more time. (Can you say "Apple"?) After the first two songs, Fi speaks! She thanked people for the new flowers, and for the flowers she had received before the show. And for a picture a girl gave to her of a horse. Fi was like, "I wish you guys could see this, because its a beautiful picture." She also dedicated the show to two friends of hers who have been with her the past few shows.   Then she said, "OK, the business is taken care of, now her we go.." or something like that.

The last song is pure FUNK! Keith, Matt, and Lucky funk it up again, and Fi takes us into outer space. Where the hell was "Bootsy?" Oh yeah, Keith played that part well, the boys REALLY funked it up, and Fi was kissing my love, kissing my love, kissing my love...

The crowd was MUCH more rambunctious (spelling is awful, isn't it?) this time out. (EDIT) Lets just say it was a little "different". Fiona was smiling, trying not to laugh at the situation, and during "a mistake", Matt was laughing his ASS off.

I met three people who I had seen at the Seattle show, and they got to meet her before the show. (I didn't ask how) They said it was cool, but they were only able to meet with her for less than a minute, as she signed autographs. They said she was a little energetic, but cool.  One last thing: two great fans came to the show, WITH WINGS ON THEIR BACKS! A couple, I believe. A plus for creativity, because they looked so cool: you could actually SEE THROUGH the wings. The boy had white wings, and the girl had red wings, I think. They walked almost all the way to the front, so the early birds saw them. Many people looked at each other like, "WTF?", but I explained to some that "Fiona has Wings". (BTW, does Fi get a check every time they play that "Red Bull" commercial? ;) Tim

First off, the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall is just a really lovely place to have a concert. Reserved seating, ornate ceiling fixtures, a real old time ambience and...yes, I kid you not, ushers! Honest to god ushers in uniforms with teeny flashlights to look at your ticket and direct you to your seat. We had really good seats. Orchestra, row CC.

Before the concert started, my friend and I were seated and checking out the crowd. I was totally impressed with the wide range of the audience. I was honestly expecting mostly girls, and I was pleasantly surprised at the nice cross section of humanity!  My friend was a little freaked out by the two people with wings, so I explained the 'Fiona Has Wings' thing to her and she was okay. (She likes Fi's music, but she's not a *fan*, ya know?)

The concert started with Jurassic 5, who were great and fun. The said something like "I know most of you aren't Hip Hop fans, so we'll make this as painless as possible" which got a laugh from the crowd.

Then Fiona came onstage. Well, what can I say? Her voice live is just incredible (she just *has* to release a live album, really! :-)) She launched right into On the Bound. Then she came to the mike with some 'business'. She thanked two ladies who had been on the tour the last couple of days, and mentioned meeting Christina and thanked her for giving her a picture of her horse, Skeeter.  She said it was a really nice picture and she wished she could show it to us all. Someone gave her flowers and she thanked them. Someone from the audience shouted "You're so Cool!", which got everybody laughing. Then she said something like "That's it for the business, let's get to the music!

The set list was the same as for the other shows...'A Mistake' was just amazing, she really poured herself into that song. 'Carrion' was just beautiful. I noticed she coughed between lines of some of the songs and she had the inhaler on the piano (which she used).

When she introduced the band, she sang the first part of Lucky's intro, then she just dissolved into giggles for that.   I have these little paper opera glasses, so I could see the stage really well, but I was torn between soaking up the close up action onstage and watching the whole stage with the lighting and the interplay between Fiona and the musicians. The lighting was incredible, it just absolutely matched every song. I especially liked the lights on the piano for 'I Know'.

For the people who shout during the quiet parts, you suck. I mean, really. What is she supposed to say to "I LOVE YOU FIONA!!" or "YOU'RE REALLY GOOD!!" ?? Just yelling to hear yourself during the quiet part of a song is the *lamest* form of artistic appreciation.

So, that's my review. LOL!

I just had to stop, 'cuz I could go on forever. (No, really!) After the show I said to my friend, Heather, "There didn't seem to be too many people really into her music, you know?" And Heather said, "Oh, I noticed quite a few people dancing and bopping to the music through the show. I think your attention was just glued to the stage." Er, well, it was.., ;-)) I sat forward through the whole show, lip synching (not out loud! I think I showed admirable restraint for that! LOL!!) and bopping in my seat - also known as 'chair dancing' LOL!

Geez, you guys, what can I say that hasn't been said a thousand times already? I'm just really happy to be alive so I got to *see* Fiona sing  - she's just a doll! My friend Heather couldn't believe such an incredible voice comes out of such a tiny person!

Love and Peace,

Angie

PS Yes! I got my tshirts, a black 'Tidal' one and a white 'WTP' one.

Fi and Christina 

From Christina:

I just got back from the Portland concert. it was most definitely worth my while.  The sound check party started at 5:30 and there were about 10 of us in attendance. it seemed  as if most of the others weren't true, hardcore Fiona fans. Anyway, when sound check began we were escorted into the concert hall (a beautiful place) and Fiona was on stage doing bits from a few songs.  It was so funny to see her up there in her usual self. she was laughing and playing around with the band. she did a sound check on Sullen Girl but could not stop laughing the entire time, because she thought it sounded like "robot sullen girl." Then. while she was laughing about that, her cell phone rang.. and she answered and talked and said "I'm in the middle of sound check.. I need to talk to you too."  Then she finished the call and went back to giggling about robot sullen girl. she would sing the line that says "is that why they call me a sullen girl" and instead she would say "is that why they call me a robot sullen girl."  She did that a few times.  It was really funny.  I was shaking the entire time. She continued with "But he washed me shore, and he took my pearl," giggling the entire time.  Then she decided, after that one, that it was enough sound check and she "triple dog dared" Lucky to something and danced/stomped around, I wasn't quite sure what she dared him to do.

picture courtesy of Christina

Then she got down from the stage and came over to greet us. This was the best part for me.  I was the first one to go and talk to her, everyone else was just standing back, not even approaching her.  I showed her my student I.D., because I knew she would remember me from I.D. incident at the D.C. show.. she did, of course, and she was surprised to see me there.. she laughed and said she was glad I got it back.  Then I took a couple pictures with her and asked her to sign some CDs.  I gave her a letter (with a picture in it) and she took it and said thanks.  Then more people went and asked her to sign stuff but I am not even sure if everyone did.  All the people did was ask her to sign their ticket or a CD, they didn't ask her or really say anything to her.  So after that I went and talked to her again.  Then it was time for her to go get ready.  My general impression of Fiona was of shyness, she was very subdued and very obliging.  She may have even seemed a little bit nervous.  But I am so happy I got to meet her, I really hope she comes back up Northeast or down to Texas area so I can see her again.  The contrast between her on stage and her in person is so intriguing.  It just makes you want to talk to her more.

The concert started at 8:00 and J5 came out and did their set. Then finally at 9:00 Fi came out carrying a flower and a picture (guess whose!).  She did the first 2 songs. On the Bound and To Your Love, then went to the microphone and said she had some business to take care of.. she thanked someone for giving her a flower and then she said that she had one more thank you and THEN said "Thank you to Christina (ME!!!) for giving me a picture of your horse, Skeeter".  She held it up and said "I know you can't see it but it's really great.. I love it and it made me so happy when I saw it! Thank you!"  So that was my highest part of the show.  The picture I had given her was a picture of Skeeter (my horse) sticking out his tongue, I thought she might like it.

Skeeter!  (pic courtesy of Christina)

The show went on and she did a phenomenal job as usual, putting so much energy into each and every song.  She did not talk to the audience at all. except for the business aforementioned and to introduce the band..  but she was great nonetheless.   The only thing I did not like were the people who decided to yell out things during the quiet parts of songs, like Sullen Girl.  And then there was this one girl in the front dancing like there was no tomorrow.  Some guy gave up his seat in the 2nd row and let her sit there for the last 4 songs. I could tell Fiona was trying not to notice her.

They didn't let me take my camera into the concert but I got some pictures at sound check and here is also the picture of my horse, Skeeter, that Fiona held up to the audience.  Even though I am jetlagged and exhausted to the max I would do it all over again!  Thank you Fiona!

All the best,
Christina