'80s Music Night

[przed]

I found out about a month ago that Howard Jones--yes, that Howard Jones--was coming to town and playing the Mod Club. I knew I had to get tickets.

I adored Howard back in the day. I was watching City Limits (the first music video show in Toronto) on a Sunday night in 1983 when they played his first video for New Song. I immediately called my music-obsessed friend canadiansuzanne and we were both all "Did you see that video?! Wasn't it amazing!" I proceeded to haunt Sam the Record Man every week until they finally got in the U.K. import of the 12 inch single of New Song. I listened to his albums constantly through high school and university, and saw him every time he came to town, including his very first North American gig, at the Concert Hall. (He was responsible for getting me into Eurythmics, since the only reason I saw them on their Touch tour was because Howard was opening.)

It was pretty awesome seeing him in a small venue, much like the Concert Hall gig, and with an audience who love the songs and the performer as much as I do. From the opening notes of Pearl in the Shell, it was an awesome night. And it all really caught fire with No One Is to Blame, with the audience singing along to every single word. (Astoundingly, he said no one in the U.K. really knows that song.) The final two numbers, What Is Love and New Song, of course, just blew the top off an already wonderful experience.

Jones is as lovely a performer as he was back in the day. He's warm with the audience, a funny storyteller, and gets obvious pleasure when the audience knows the songs as well as he does. I'm so glad I got the tickets. (The Sweetie came too, and while he's not nearly the fan I am, he still had a good time.)

To round out my '80s music day, I got something I've been waiting for in the mail today.
My tickets for a-ha at Wembley!


I can't believe I'm finally seeing a concert at Wembley, and it'll be my final a-ha show ever.

Comments

[cluesby4.livejournal.com]

Did Howard mention any of his current projects? I love the soundtrack he did for Beyond The Mind's Eye.

[przed.livejournal.com]

He's got a new album out, which I picked up at the gig but haven't listened to yet. (Heard a couple of tracks on his website and enjoyed them a lot.) I also picked up Revolution of the Heart, a 2005 album. He played a track from that at the concert and it was quite fun.

BTW, I didn't recognize the Mind's Eye thing, so I checked Google and it's a Jan Hammer soundtrack, not Howard.

[cluesby4.livejournal.com]

Not Mind's Eye that is Jan Hammer. It is the last ones - Beyond the Mind's Eye and the Gate to the Mind's Eye. But I doubled check, it was Thomas Dolby - not Howard Jones.

I always mixed up the two, since they were my favorites during the same time period. If I remember correctly Howard Jones did have an album or track entitled Beyond the Gate. ;-)

[przed.livejournal.com]

I thought it was Dolby. I think I have that album kicking around here somewhere. Not my fave of Dolby's, but definitely worth a listen.

Interestingly, I saw Dolby--who I also adored back in the day--at the same venue a couple of years ago. He was also pretty awesome, though possibly not quite as energetic as Jones.

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

Look at you getting down with your bad self.

Erm... sorry, I've been discussing slang wit my SAs. *g*

You're going to London at the end of November? My, you're brave. It's beautifully decorated for Christmas mind but soooooo crowded with insane Christmas shoppers.

[przed.livejournal.com]

I don't know that you can get down with your bad self with Howard Jones. He's so very nice. *g*

I had no idea London would be so nuts at the end of November. I've been at the beginning of November (landed on Guy Fawkes night once, which was a blast) but never the end.

On the plus side, I'm small and manoeuvrable, and shall keep my elbows at the ready. I do have a bit of shopping planned, but I'm mostly there for the concert and theatre, so hopefully it won't be too bad.

[sooguy.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a fun concert. I miss living in (and around) T.O. and being able to hit up shows like that.

Now I have to travel to see concerts. Sigh.

Have fun in London. What is that your third A-HA show this year? Do you and the Sweetie have a recurring line in the budget for A-HA shows this year? LOL!

[przed.livejournal.com]

I seriously could not live up north any more. Living in Madison nearly killed me, and it was 150,000 people and got concerts through regularly.

London will be my third and final a-ha show. Those trips are totally being financed by the severance I never had to dig into. One of the very few reasons the whole getting laid off thing was positive. That, and ending up in a much better job.