Hi guys and gals. We went to the show last night and I decided to write the following while it was all still fresh in my mind.
The Elvis show was an amazing experience.
Michelle and I got to Dublin earlier in the day; in fact, we arrived in the city at about 3pm, but the show wasn’t due to start for another five hours! Thing is we wanted to get there early, find a place to park, do some shopping, have a look around the city and get something to eat before eventually making our way on to the venue in the 02 arena, which incidentally use to be known as the Point.
In any case, we luckily got a place to park very close to O’Connell Street and did all the things we wanted to do before we got on a Luas, which took us to the 02 in about 10 minutes. For those who don’t know the Luas is a wonderful, modern tram service which is sort of like an Underground Metro, but over ground and extremely quieter than any metro I have ever been on. If any wish to know about the Luas visit this website
www.luas.ie where you’ll learn all about it; incidentally, if you look at the map on the site you’ll see it still refers to the 02 as the Point.
When we reached the 02 Arena it was just on 6pm. We were very early and the show wasn’t due to start until 8pm, but we were anxious to get there and get into the spirit of things from the get-go. Of course, we already had our tickets and could have gotten there even as late at 7:55 and been OK, but as I said we were anxious to be there early, besides we wanted have time to check out any merchandise that might be on sale before hordes of other fans arrived.
The show itself was simply phenomenal. I really could never do it the justice it deserves trying to explain how things went. Almost every original member of Elvis’s TCB band was there live on stage to see and hear perform; the backing singers, and the musicians. The only one of the musicians I didn’t recognise was the bass player, but he was totally incredible, and played every note to perfection plus some of his own little rifts too.
Musical master Joe Guercio was there with his full blown orchestra. There was also the original Sweet Inspirations and The Imperials backing vocalists, and of course members of the original TCB Band.
Every musician and singer on stage performed live, the only recordings heard was Elvis singing on video, but the TCB band, the backing vocals and the full orchestra all played live.
I have to say the lead guitarist, James Burton, was simply outstanding as he played effortlessly through one classic after another. The guy is a genuine genius. And let’s not forget this man was born in 1939!!
At the very end, when the show was finished I actually made my way to the stage and got to shake hands with the great man; as a guitarist myself this was an immensely special and proud moment for me.
At one point, though, I thought he wouldn’t be able to shake my hand because he was finishing up signing autographs and chatting with those fans who were fortunate enough to have seats right in front of the stage and he was starting to move away by the time I finally made it there; to get to the stage I had to practically stampede my way pass tonnes of people [the 02 was almost packed to capacity] I also had to duck pass a security man who was trying to stop people getting to the stage, but all my efforts paid off as I did get there in the end. But as I said he was turning away and about to leave as I got to the stage, but in sheer desperation I called out “James! James” and was delighted to see him turn around and grab my outstretched hand to shake it. Others were able to take advantage of my good fortunate because he stayed another few moments shaking hands; I got to capture this part on my phone's video. Incidentally, I was surprised he had such a strong grip, he is after all not such a strong fellow to look at, and for someone born in 1939 he had a very firm handshake.
That one extra unique moment made the whole night even more exceptional.
Thanks James!
Just to return to how the actual show worked on the stage. Elvis was shown on three giant TV screens and very image was shown in crisp, clear High Definition. It was so good we soon forget that Elvis wasn't really there and actually thought he was in the building. The whole atmosphere was truly electric; with each song everybody in the audience sang along, the people in front, to our left and right side; in fact, everywhere they were all singing and clapping along to every beat.
It really was an unforgettable night, and should the tour ever return to Ireland we will certainly do it all again. I honestly cannot recommend it highly enough.
