[Heeplist] Vogue Theatre, Vancouver 4/28/2018

Tue May 1 18:14:06 EDT 2018

Hey Shaun that was one hellava review
A real page turner!. I’m glad you enjoyed Heep.
Don

On Tue, May 1, 2018 at 2:48 PM Shaun Roberge <frank.das.cat at gmail.com>
wrote:

> Thanks Bob.  No customs on the ferry, we just lost track of time.  The day
> flew by.
>
> Shaun R
>
> On Tue, May 1, 2018, 1:49 PM Bob Winward <uriahheep at comcast.net> wrote:
>
> > Did you have to go through customs on a ferry ride? What a great review!!
> >
> > Bob Winward
> > All Heep is Good Heep!
> >
> >
> > > On May 1, 2018, at 4:12 PM, Shaun Roberge <frank.das.cat at gmail.com>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Apologies for the delay.  It's still just setting in that I've finally
> > seen
> > > the all mighty Heep.  Aside from nearly missing the ferry the day went
> > off
> > > just as planned.  Don and I arrived in Vancouver around 2pm on a rainy,
> > > grey day.  After checking into the hotel we went and had a look at the
> > > theatre, as neither of us had been there before.  Sadly, there didn't
> > > appear to be much advertising for the show and tickets were still
> > > available.  After drying off a bit and killing a couple hours we
> arrived
> > > back at the theatre an hour early and people had already started lining
> > > up.  Any doubts about a small crowd were shattered as the line was
> > > eventually down the street, around a corner and up an alley.  Luckily,
> > the
> > > rain eased up and I was able to display my Uriah Heep Live t-shirt, Don
> > had
> > > his '94 Wizard tour shirt.  There was a good array of different shirts
> > from
> > > many years ago.  I'm not really sure what happened but an older fan
> that
> > > was ahead of us in line ended up on the ground and first responders
> were
> > > called.  After checking his pulse, blood pressure and other vitals they
> > > confirmed he was okay, but asked if he wanted them to send an
> ambulance.
> > > He just kept repeating no.  I don't think there was anything that would
> > > prevent him from seeing the concert; and I thought I was excited.  When
> > the
> > > doors finally opened at 7pm, we quickly ran up to take balcony seats on
> > > Mick's side of the stage.  The seating was general admission so we
> didn't
> > > want to doddle.  When we got to the front row of the balcony we noticed
> > > signs reserving a section of seats for the Shaw family.  A woman was
> > there
> > > informing people so we talked to her and she was one of Bernie's
> cousins.
> > > We took our seats in the second row, right amid 20-30 of Bernie's
> family
> > > and friends, most of which were Vancouver Islanders like ourselves and
> > > extremely friendly.  After conversing a bit with the cousin, I went and
> > > bought my 2018 North American tour shirt.  It will be a prized item in
> my
> > > tour shirt collection.  At 8pm the opening band started their set.
> They
> > > were a local band called Uncle Sid, a quartet with bass, drums, one
> > guitar
> > > and a female singer.  The sound mix was way off so I couldn't hear a
> > single
> > > word she was shrieking into the microphone.  The guitarist was decent
> and
> > > the band had good energy but overall not my style, not enough space
> > between
> > > the music.  Glad we brought ear plugs.  Their set ended around 8:30 so
> it
> > > was only 30 minutes till Heep.  Looking around I noticed the balcony
> had
> > > really filled up and the floor was packed.  As soon as the clock
> struck 9
> > > the lights went out and the magic was about to begin.  When Lanzon
> coolly
> > > strolled on stage and hit those first "Gypsy" notes I was floored.
> That
> > > rhythm section of Gilbrook and Rimmer had me mesmerized. It almost
> seemed
> > > as if Mick floated to the stage, propelled by magic and power.
> > Absolutely
> > > the perfect way the start your first Heep show! Bernie's appearance was
> > met
> > > with thunderous applause from his family.  His vocals were clear and
> > crisp
> > > and he had the look of a western outlaw.  The setlist was the same as
> the
> > > other shows so I knew we were in for something special.  "Look at
> > Yourself"
> > > got people grooved up and feeling good, while "Shadows of Grief" left
> > them
> > > speechless.  When it came to "Stealin'", everyone was back to singing
> > along
> > > and going nuts.  I liked the inclusion of "The Law", a newer song that
> > > reminds people they're still putting out great music.  "Sunrise" had
> > > excellent vibes with a big yellow spotlight highlighting Bernie and a
> > > powerful performance.  Before they played "The Magician's Birthday",
> > Bernie
> > > said that he knew for a fact that someone in the audience named Tina
> had
> > a
> > > birthday today, dedicating the song to her.  Tina was quickly pointed
> out
> > > by his family.  Seeing the legendary Mick Box with those dark glasses
> and
> > > big grin playing that song is one thing I will never forget and always
> be
> > > thankful for.  I loved how during "The Wizard", Bernie put his arm
> around
> > > Mick and sang it about him, very fitting considering the spell he had
> > just
> > > cast upon the audience.  "One Minute" is one of my favourite songs from
> > > Outsider, especially when they punch it after the soft opening verse.
> > The
> > > introduction for "Between Two Worlds" was also about trying it out
> during
> > > the sound check so that's definitely part of the show.  "July Morning"
> > was
> > > done exquisitely and was the perfect lead-up for the crowd pleasing
> "Lady
> > > in Black".  Heep stuck to the plan and left the stage after LIB with a
> > > standing ovation from the audience and monastic chanting of Heep, Heep,
> > > Heep; encouraging them back for another song.  How could they leave us
> > > without a little "Easy Livin'"?  The mighty Heep then handed out some
> > > souvenirs and shook hands with their beloved fans before parting the
> > stage
> > > with the grace and class of kings.  Having been to many concerts, I can
> > say
> > > without a doubt they are one of the most polished bands I've ever seen,
> > > purely professional.  Although I never got to see any of Heep's
> previous
> > > great bass players perform live, I feel that Davey and his
> bong-rattling
> > > bass is a good fit for the band, nicely feeding off Russel's contagious
> > > energy.  I liked his style and his stage presence, especially the LED
> > > lights on the neck of his guitar.  All in all it was a fantastic night
> of
> > > timeless music performed by one of the world’s greatest live bands.  I
> > > considered trying to sweet talk our way backstage with the family but
> > given
> > > the amount of people and the expense of their trip it wouldn't have
> been
> > > right to impose.  I'm happy just to have seen them live and am
> confident
> > > they will be back soon.  The night ended with being woken up by drunks
> in
> > > the hotel room next door.  Just as I got up to do something about the
> > noise
> > > they started singing "Easy Livin'".  I went back to bed knowing they
> had
> > to
> > > be good people, regardless of the noise.  ALL HEEP IS GOOD HEEP!
> > >
> > > Apologies again for the delay.
> > >
> > > Shaun R
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> >
> >
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