The Gig - UPDATED

Dear Reader,

It has come to my attention, after several phone calls and a couple of telling emails, that there were certain problems with the original version of this posting. I feel I should therefore present one or two minor tweaks - not that the original was misleading as such, but it may have been, perhaps, a little over enthusiastic.

Corrections follow in red:

So anyway, we played this amazing gig last night.

OK, whilst amazing is arguably a little too effusive, this statement is broadly OK.

Sure, it was fantastic. We arrived at the venue about 6.30pm

Actually it was 5.30pm

and all our gear had been set up for us ready. Never had that in a long time.

It was the usual huge struggle setting the gear set up - helped only by the fact that I drove my car through a narrow opening in the perimiter of the car park in order to get it right next to the main entrance of the school at which the gig was. Needless to say that we did it all ourselves.

It was a nice intimate venue, holding some 200 people.

OK, fair enough, maybe it did hold 200 people, but there weren't that many people there. Maybe hundred, maybe slightly more. Maybe.

We also had dressing rooms for the first time - REAL dressing rooms, with fruit and everything. Then - get this - a personal assistant to look after us. Never had anything remotely like that before.

OK, having taken a look at this statement in the cold light of day I can only say that it is an out and out lie. Sorry.

So, we got ready and then had a dress rehearsal, which was sublime. I played well and the stage set was great. Moody and beautifully lit.

The rehearsal was well dodgy. The sound was awful - very hard to hear because of the weird acoustic of the place. We nearly dropped one song because it sounded so poor.

Then, just as we were finishing the rehearsal, in walks Mark Knopfler - honest to goodness - in person. He's a really decent bloke too. He asked us to help him out with his set because he had hurt his hand and couldn't play guitar. Jason was keen to step in and so we had a band. I just couldn't believe this was all happening.

The reason I couldn't believe it was that it was only happening in my pathetic little fantasy.

The meal was nice enough, especially nice potatoes, as I recall. They were done in their jackets, but rarely have I seen such well cooked spuds. The skin was crispy but the potato itself light and fluffy, especially when smothered in fresh melted butter.

Slight problem with accuracy here - the potatoes were actually disgusting.

I don't know why I noticed this next thing - but I clearly remember feeling greatful not to have burned my napkin on one of the table candles.

Hmmm....yeah, I set fire to a napkin by placing it too near to a night light on the table. Jason jumped to the rescue by placing it (still burning) onto the crisp dish - thus supplying an abundance of extra fuel. Safely on the floor, it burned brightly until someone soaked another napkin in table water and laid it over the top.

Soon, it was time for the music to start. I nimbly weaved my way through the auditorium and up to the stage. For once, a real piano had been provided - a wonderful Steinway concert grand.

Yeah - right.

I felt right at home as Christine began to sing. The performance was unbelievable. Christine was amazing. She sang song after song perfectly, whilst adding her own seductive blend of sassy charm.

We actually only did three songs.

Then, when seemingly nothing could be better, on walked Mark and we took that audience through till the early hours. They drank the bar dry, they laughed, they wept and finally they slipped away into the breaking dawn.

Complete la-la.

It was a night like no other I have ever experienced and I guess it will never happen again. Not only am I several grand better off, I feel like I have taken part in something that a great many people will never forget.

Breathtakingly nonsensical.

It was very special.

If anyone reading this was there last night - here's to you. We were all part of something unforgettable.

Comments

[Liz]

Wish I'd been there! I can quite understand why you felt it necessary to make one or two adjustments to the blog ... but was there any need to post it twice!?

[AndyC]

But Liz - I didn't post it twice. I have no idea what you're talking about.

Do get a grip, dear.