Hey Everybody!! Well I guess it's my turn to describe the most fabulous concert ever. ;D My fellow Majicatters have done a wonderful job so far and I don't believe I could add much except some personal observations. But first of all I want to thank Christine (whom I talked to on the phone while sitting at
the table) without you this could not have been possible!!! My table mates-- Mike (Quizlo)and his brother Tony (who was a little star struck over a band member of "Deep Purple" that was there). At the next table was the lovely Mary (Mckenzy) who I had spoken to on the phone for hours; David from Texas (dmh84) who was always quick with a smile, a beer, and a high five, and Greg (who I didn't get to talk to much cause he was obviously busy with
Colin Farrell!! LOL)
My sister and I had a whirlwind day trying to get from La. to L.A.!!! There was bad weather in Dallas so every flight going into and out of there was delayed. First our plane was late, then our connector at DFW was changed to a later time...needless to say we missed our connection and were put on stand-by for a flight leaving in 20 min. If we had to take the NEXT flight, we would not have had time to get to the show!!! We were talking to the ticket lady and told her where we were going (she was impressed). She was also a fan
, so we ended up making the flight we needed!!! YAY! After we hit LAX we still had a 55 min ride to the hotel, it was 5:30p when we walked into our room
Remember..we still had to get dressed and be at the El Rey in time to get a good seat. To say that we blew up that hotel room would be an understatement!! There was make-up, hair spray, clothes, jewelry...
EVERYWHERE!!! But somehow we got in a cab at 6:30p and were off to the theater.
We waited in line for a while, watching people going up and down asking if anyone had an extra ticket or pass...(HA, I don't think so!) A prissy woman in line heard us talking (you know, our Southern drawl) and kind of rolled her eyes
...how much do you think we cared?
? We were in the same line she was and actually ended up in way better seats!! How sweet was that??? As we were standing there we started to get a little scared, we had come all this way, spent all this money and had no assurance that we would get in. What if our names weren't on the list
...we dared not think. When we got to the front, our names
were on the list of "contest winners", (whew
) we were issued arm bands for alcohol and one for seating...then a man in a suit said "Right this way." He escorted us in, all the way through people, through rows of chairs, then through a rope which seperated VIP's, then right up to the stage where 3 tables were set up!!!! I looked at my sister and I know our eyes must have been bugged out a mile. Unbelievable
!!! Ashley said "'China, make sure you don't sneeze 'cause it'll get on Yusuf's pants!!! ;D( LOL) We were that close..unreal!!! It was amazing. I felt like everybody was looking at those of us at the tables going "Who the heck are they??" We all loved it. I think I speak for all of us when I say we felt very special!!!
We went to the bar, while we waited for the show to start, and grabbed a couple of beers ($12 for 1 large cup of Bud Light draft
) then
strutted back to our table (hee hee
) It appeared Ashley and I were the only ones up front drinking. But hey, we're from Louisiana, there's nothing better than a cold beer and good music!! In fact, when it rains here, we don't cover our heads...we cover our drinks!!! ;D Anyway by the time the band started playing we were ready, then when Yusuf walked out ...there was nothing to do but come to our feet cheering!! It was awesome and you could tell he was pleased. Early in the show, after several bouts of applause, he said smilingly "You know if you don't stop this, we'll never get out of here!" He was so charming and seemed to truly enjoy himself. I, personally, sang every word to every song right along with him, tapped my foot and bobbed my head like a beatnik!!! The time flew by, but I thouroughly enjoyed every second!! ;D I didn't care what anybody else thought, I was lost in the moment and in the music! When Yusuf left the stage, the audience stayed on their feet, determined for an encore. The sound was deafening, yet wonderful. When he did come back out he settled everybody down and went into "Father and Son" (Alun said later this song had made him tear up) Yusuf ended the night with a rousing rendition of "Peace Train" and got tickled when the front tables hit the rapid hand claps that go in the song. He also had a great time singing "Boots and Sand", even kicking up his leg at one point. All in all it was FABULOUS!!! I just can't think of big enough words to describe it!!
Before the show I introduced myself to Yoriyos (who was out front smoking) and chatted with the sound guys for a while. After the show Alun was out front and we struck up a conversation with him. Talk about charming and down to earth!!
As Mary said he was showing us pictures of his granddaughter, Eloise. He also pointed out that you could tell my sister and I weren't from "just up the street". He compared our accents to Dolly Parton's, and said Dolly had told them "I may talk slow, but that don't mean I'm dumb...and I certainly ain't no blond!!!" How funny!!
I also reminded him that his accent kind of gave away his location too!
He was great!
I had been a little disappointed that we weren't invited back for autographs or pictures, but understood because Yusuf was surrounded by press, celebrities, industry people...all clamoring for his attention. Mary had brought some art work to be autographed and was smart enough to set it up beforehand with Omir (?). I had brought my copy of Cat Stevens' children's book in the hope that I too might get an elusive autograph. The staff of the El Rey was almost rude in the way they were rushing people out of the building. Mary was getting upset because her artwork was back stage and they wouldn't let her wait for it!! She did finally get it back...all 3 pieces signed!!!
Now I
was disappointed
( We had come all the way from Louisiana, couldn't take pictures, didn't have an autograph...no physical proof that I had been at this historical event. (boo-hoo
) Guess who my hero turned out to be?? Alun Davies!!
We were talking to him after the show and I asked him if he had any
stroke with Yusuf. (LOL)
He laughed and said "do you mean like, influence?" I said "Yes." And he said "Well after 40 years, I guess I do!!" Then I said "Do you think you could get him to sign my book?!!" Alun said he would try. He returned shortly with my book autographed
"peace, Yusuf" He even said that Yusuf looked at the book and said "this looks like an original pressing." He liked my book!!! Yoo-hoo!!!! I gave Alun a big hug and thanked him profusly. He seemed pleased and said "Y'all are the
real people, thank you for being here." Oh yeah, I invited them to come to Jazz Fest next year and Alun said they were actually considering it!!! How great would that be? A few minutes later, I saw this young woman come out the doors then start, I don't know...sauntering, strutting,...towards the sidewalk. She was wearing a stylish (but kinda goofy) hat. I looked at my sister and said "Check out her little attitude" (hee-hee) About that time Paparazzi cameras started flashing...I had to make Ashley get out of the way so she wouldn't ruin the shot (LOL)
Come to find out, Mary told me it was
Rosanna Arquette ! Who knew..
Well I guess I've rambled on enough. I just wanted you all to know how happy I was to go. It was nice to meet other Majicatters and to talk to Sue and Christine on the phone. It was a "once in a lifetime" experience!!!
I couldn't have been more pleased!! I am also thrilled at the wonderful reviews the show got...YOU GO YUSUF!!!
Richina
Maybe she was the daughter you saw.
, so we ended up making the flight we needed!!! YAY! After we hit LAX we still had a 55 min ride to the hotel, it was 5:30p when we walked into our room 
Remember..we still had to get dressed and be at the El Rey in time to get a good seat. To say that we blew up that hotel room would be an understatement!! There was make-up, hair spray, clothes, jewelry... 
EVERYWHERE!!! But somehow we got in a cab at 6:30p and were off to the theater. 
...how much do you think we cared?
? We were in the same line she was and actually ended up in way better seats!! How sweet was that??? As we were standing there we started to get a little scared, we had come all this way, spent all this money and had no assurance that we would get in. What if our names weren't on the list 
...we dared not think. When we got to the front, our names were on the list of "contest winners", (whew 
Now I was disappointed 
) Guess who my hero turned out to be?? Alun Davies!! 
