Detroit concert at the Fox Theatre Aug. 21

[Coda]

We arrived barely on time at the Fox on Woodward Avenue because of lots of construction in downtown Detroit, along with traffic from the Woodward Dream Cruise, the Michigan State Fair (on Woodward Avenue), and a Tiger baseball game across the street (on--of course--Woodward Avenue). We had to park several blocks north of the theater in a dirt lot (where we paid to get in, and then a man there reminded us that he'd be watching the car while we were gone and he'd appreciate a donation on the way out). We couldn't park across the street from the theatre in the designated official lot. This was an official bummer because, with the bad parking logistics, my husband and I didn't feel comfortable waiting afterward to get an autograph. So, bottom line, I didn't get an autograph...couldn't try.

But now for the good stuff! The concert was terrific! Ollabelle started right on time, at 8 p.m. The crowd kept drifting in while they were playing for 40 minutes. We sat about in the middle of the main floor, a few rows behind the sound engineer. I saw Anthony Wilson come up to the sound area and sit there through almost the entire performance of Ollabelle. I thought they were really good. Lots of gospel songs. Then were was a 20 minute intermission, so a lot of the people who came slowly lounging in during Ollabelle wound up getting out of their seats again during this intermission.

Diana came on stage at 9 p.m., along with Anthony Wilson, Peter Erskine and Robert Hurst. Diana wore a long black dress with a decolletage neckline and black strappy sandals. Her hair is longer than I've ever remembered seeing it. It looked nice. Here is the song list: Sometimes I Just Freak Out, All or Nothing At All, Stop This World, The Girl in the Other Room, Abandoned Masquerade, Temptation, East of the Sun, You May Not Be An Angel, Let's Face the Music and Dance, Devil May Care, But Not for Me, Black Crow, Narrow Daylight and I'm Walkin'. After the first standing ovation, they played Almost Blue and Frim Fram Sauce. After the second standing ovation, she came out by herself and played 'S Wonderful and Departure Bay.

Concert tidbits: Diana was ON. She was a little nervouse but very much "in the groove" at this concert. The crowd was pretty well re-established by the time the intermission was over and the crowd was very responsive. People clapped after solos. When Diana started the opening lick for "Stop This World," many in the audience started clicking their fingers. How cool! After a couple songs, Diana introduced the band and mentioned that Robert Hurst is from the Detroit area and had a lot of friends and family in the audience, and maybe that was why she was a little nervous. She introduced the first piece as "Sometimes I Just Freak Out," and people chuckled. She also talked about using the word "about" (in the Canadian accent) and mentioned that we're neighbors with Canada. (Windsor is across the river.) She mentioned that she co-wrote GITOR with her best friend, Elvis Costello. She said: "It's quite an honor to write with him...(pause)...and other things." People laughed and someone went "woo!" And she said: "It's okay, I'm married." Then before "Abandoned Masquerade," she started talking about growing up in Nanaimo and wanting to leave there, and about Jimmy Rowles, and going to New York and drinking and smoking in her Laura Ashley dress. People laughed well. She didn't talk too much after her self-described "jazz lecture." I loved the picture in the background. (Is it a copy of a painting from an artist Canadian painter in the Group of Seven?) After the standing ovations, someone yelled out: "Another one, eh?"

Diana's singing was superb. She seemed to really belt it out sometimes. And her solos were original and often intricate. Everyone did so well. In a gracious gesture, she let Robert Hurst walk off the stage last, since he had his hometown crowd here.

I'm resigning myself to the idea that I may never get her autograph in person. Oh well. Great concert! It really felt like a club, especially when she played "But Not for Me" and "'S Wonderful" and "Departure Bay."

[Rémi]

Coda,

Thanks for your review. Souns like you had a great time!
You're one the "oldest" krallian pillars, it's a shame that you still haven't received a dedicated autograph by Diana.

[Coda]

Thanks, Remi, for the kind words. Nice to know someone considers me a "pillar" of something!
I really enjoy this message board. Thanks for all your hard work in keeping it fresh and stylish!