Well my hunch was right, I got Isabel. I just knew she'd open this show, with it being Independence Day.
Oh I'm not complaining really, much as I'd like to have seen any of the other three. It's just that the two Isabel songs I love - Mr. Bad Man and Dark Side of the Sun - she's given up playing! I'm not that keen on Almost Rosey and I actively dislike Yo George, so that leaves Devils and Gods. Which saved the day, coz it is AWESOME in the flesh - the Tubular Bells intro is very fierce, you get an idea of it from that youtube clip I posted but in person it's just amazing, this huge wall of sound, very intense. The band seems much less constricted on these gigs if last night was anything to go by, they seem to be playing with more freedom now than on the Scarlet's Walk tour ... last night felt more like Plugged, actually.
I didn't get my Anastasia
but I got something much rarer instead - Home On The Range! I nearly fell out of my chair when I realised what it was, I don't think she's ever played it live?
Such an unexpected song to get, though of course it makes complete sense given it was 4th July and Isabel being the 'political' doll. It's just not a song I ever thought I'd hear live.
I got Glory of the 80s. [love] I was so hoping she'd play it, it's such a fun song. And Tombigbee! I had a feeling she might pull that one out because of the political slant of the lyrics, but it was still a lovely surprise. I also got Caught A Lite Sneeze - she seems to be using programmed percussion tracks for it this time, which gives more of a feel of the studio version, but I'm not that keen on how she's singing it. My favourite CALS will always be DDI, nothing can top the harpsi version for me. Um what else, oh Cornflake Girl is sounding really good, she's really going for it on the solos. I seriously don't know how she keeps her breath during those. Cooling was gorgeous as always, and Beauty of Speed was a highlight for me, I was so delighted to get that - it's a Clyde song but she has been playing it in some of the encores, so I had my fingers crossed. Code Red is a great closer, but the encores were amazing - Precious Things into God, then she came back and did The Waitress.
Where the hell she gets the energy from I do not know, she's a tiny dynamo.
Lowlights: Liquid Diamonds, ugh. Never sounds good live, never. Hated it. Not too keen on band-ified Doughnut Song either, she should really play that one solo, it's too delicate for the band to go stomping all over it.
Her vocals were pretty on the money for the most part, but I got the sense at times she was struggling, breathing-wise. I wonder how long she can go on punishing her body with 2hr shows on 100+gig tours. I couldn't believe how skinny she was .... I mean I expected it because I've seen the photos of her recently, but she is actually looking frail, as if a gust of wind could knock her over. She had on this hideous peach jodphur ensemble when she came on as Isabel, and even in that you could see there is absolutely nothing of her. I wish she would ease up a bit on herself, stop pushing herself so much with the massive tours.
When she went off after the Isabel tracks, she came back on wearing a STARS AND STRIPES jumpsuit!
Camp x infinity, it was fabulous, I couldn't stop laughing and everyone around me was in hysterics as she went into Big Wheel, it was so fun. I think she must have enjoyed the effect it had because she really got into the song.
Great night, no matter how much I moan and complain about her motives and decisions these days, she continues to blow me away as a live performer. I have so much respect and admiration for the way she gets out there and gives it everything she's got. She is amazing.
I'm gonna go have a look round the forums and see if anyone has posted pics of that jumpsuit, you have to see it.
