Porchester Hall

[cristalina]

WHAT A NIGHT ;D ;D ;D

An absolutely perfect evening. Not only free tickets, which I'm sure we would have all been willing to pay for, but the best seats in the house, at the front in the centre ;D ;D ;D

I'd said to Joanne earlier in the day I hope he plays Wind East and West and The Beloved, my absolute favourite at the moment. I couldn't believe it when his opening song was in fact Wind East and West. Here's a complete listing :_

Wind East and West
The Wind
Midday
Don't Be Shy
Maybe There's a World
In the End
Where Do the Children Play - twice
The Little Ones
I Think I See The Light
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
Heaven/Where True Love Goes
How Long/ Peace Train Blues
The Beloved - twice
Father & Son - twice
Peace Train
Wild World - Zulu

An absolutely amazing performance, with only a very brief break near the end because of problems with the lighting. This meant we heard 3 of the songs twice as he repeated them, I'm delighted that The Beloved was one of them, the live performance was fantastic. The whole performance was fantastic, and Yusuf looked like he was enjoying himself as much as we were and was in good humour throughout. During Father & Son as the lights went off he sang "its hard when the lights go out" or something to that effect, but still continued to the end of the song

To meet Yusuf & his wife after just made a perfect evening even better, if that's possible. Fauzia (hope I've spelt that right) is a lovely lady and Yusuf a very warm genuine person, we had photos and autographs. What more could we have asked for.

[Chris]

I'm copying Mariers post here:

Marier wrote:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What a pile of drivel this so called review is Yes, we did have to queue for a bit, but so what, many many people would have queued overnight and paid big money for a ticket, whereas we were getting it all for nothing, and I really don't think anyone was at all bothered by the alcohol ban, after all we were there to see Yusuf, and some of us "competition winners" had one of the best tables in the hall right near the stage, that is myself, Joanne, Cristalina & Sue (+ 2 others who I'm sorry to say have forgotten your names). All of Yusuf's family were there (including his beautiful grandaughter).

Well what a night! Yusuf was just outstanding. He seemed very comfortable on stage and was like he had never been away. The stage setting was great, very eastern and the atmosphere was very relaxed. Most of the songs Yusuf sang were from An Other Cup, but he also sang Father & Son and a new version of Wild World (with zulo incorporated). Because of problem with the lighting he had to repeat Where do the Children Play, The Beloved and Father & Son, which we were all delighted about of course. Yusuf "live" is even better than his album, if that's at all possible!

Well now for the best bit.......... all four of us met Yusuf and his family afterwards. A big big thank you to Sue who persuaded a nice man to ask Yusuf if we could meet with him. We were taken into a sort of hospitality room where Yusuf, his wife, children and friends were and we spoke to him and his wife for about 10/15 minutes. What a lovely lovely man with a lovely lovely family. We had photos taken with Yusuf (to be posted here soon). This was the icing on the cake at the end of a night I won't ever forget

I know I probably have left out so much and I will most likely post several more times on this topic as things come back to me. It was so nice to meet you guys and Joanne I hope you got home safely

Luv Marie xx

[Chris]

I am so happy for the four of you, we can at least pretend to have been there through your terrific reviews! It sounded like a wonderful night!

I'm also thrilled to hear Yusuf sang 'Wind - East and West' one of my favorite songs!!

[cristalina]

Today at 7:25am, crobarbie wrote:
Try this one

www.thisislondon.co.uk/music/gig-23360535-details/Yusuf%20Islam/gigReview.do?reviewId=23387450


What a horrible review and how untrue

Why did the fans queue for almost an hour outside, I'll tell you why because we arrived an hour early !!!! We knew the doors didn't open until 7pm. We were far from bored as Joanne, SuzieQ, marier, John (sorry can't remember user name), his daughter and myself were chatting and laughing and Joanne was having other experiences at this time too; lol, but I'll leave it for her to tell you. It was lovely to meet some people for the first time and catch up again with others

Quote - "Then they discovered that alcohol was not permitted during the performance."
Well so what I never heard anyone complaining, there was a bar and time for a drink before the performance, but surely its possible to refain from drinking for a short while, huh? We were provided with free orange juice and water

Quote - "His performance was a little tentative, and the filming for a forthcoming BBC One Session made for an oddly formal evening."
Not my impression at all

[marier]

Cristalina, hope you are starting to recover!! I went into work today, but only a part of me was there ;D ;D It's kinda like I dreamt the whole thing but I know I didn't - have the photo to prove it Thanks for asking Christine to copy my post, as Porchester Hall should be in the Great Concerts section.

[boneheadedwoman]

WOW!
I'm away for a while and all these fantastic things are happening while I'm not looking. You all really hit the jackpot this time! A wonderful concert, and then not only to meet The Artist himself, but his entire family? I'd be pinching myself the whole time. Lucky You!

Thanks so much for sharing all the details, and I look forward to seeing the pictures!

You said he played The Beloved twice (that alone would have been worth plane fare from San Francisco to London) and that it sounded even better than the recording(hard to imagine). But here's a question: on the recording, the nasheed part is sung beautifully by Youssou N'Dour. Who sung that part in the live performance?

BTW, Youssou N'Dour is currently on screen in Amazing Grace, which I hope to see soon.

[catnip]

Thanks for your wonderful review, Cristalina!!! It sounded like the perfect evening and one never to be forgotten.

Lora

[m@kansascity]

lucky girls... you witnessed an historical moment...

was Yoriyos with his family backstage too?

thanx for the story

[Vivian]

You all are so lucky! I would have paid top dollar for this show! Can someone tell me more about this: How Long/ Peace Train Blues. Thanks.

Peace,Vivian

[waterside]

Thanks for the great reviews, Marie and Cristalina. I really enjoyed hearing about the concert. It was wonderful that you met Yusuf and his family. That certainly was a special moment, I am sure!

Were Alun and Jean there? I'm pretty sure Alun must have been there, but how about Jean? More details, please! lol

Thanks!!

[waterside]

cristalina said:

Today at 7:25am, crobarbie wrote:
Try this one

www.thisislondon.co.uk/music/gig-23360535-details/Yusuf%20Islam/gigReview.do?reviewId=23387450


What a horrible review and how untrue

Why did the fans queue for almost an hour outside, I'll tell you why because we arrived an hour early !!!! We knew the doors didn't open until 7pm. We were far from bored as Joanne, SuzieQ, marier, John (sorry can't remember user name), his daughter and myself were chatting and laughing and Joanne was having other experiences at this time too; lol, but I'll leave it for her to tell you. It was lovely to meet some people for the first time and catch up again with others

Quote - "Then they discovered that alcohol was not permitted during the performance."
Well so what I never heard anyone complaining, there was a bar and time for a drink before the performance, but surely its possible to refain from drinking for a short while, huh? We were provided with free orange juice and water

Quote - "His performance was a little tentative, and the filming for a forthcoming BBC One Session made for an oddly formal evening."
Not my impression at all

There is a comment section under that article. It would be great if you would post your positive reviews there, Cristalina and Marie, so people reading that article would get a better perspective of the concert. The reviewer did say a few nice things though, thank goodness.

[SuzieQ]

Oh what a Wonderful day and an even more spectacular night!!! From me, A Great Big Thank You to Joanne (HardheadedSofthrtd) for sharing this experience with me, also to Cristalina and Christine for their part in this too

I only found out for sure at 09:15am Thursday, that I was definitely going, by 11:30am, I was on my way to London!!!

HE WAS ALL I EVER DREAMED HE WOULD BE AND MORE, MUCH MORE,

The night just kept on getting better and better,

On the way to the Porchester Hall


Cristalina, HardheadedSofthrtd, SuzieQ


While we were waiting to be allowed in to the hall, Joanne spoke to the editor from the BBC and happened to mention to her that she had flown in from Boston especially for the event. Well you will never guess what happened next……. But no, I will leave that for Joanne to tell, but, there will be pictures!



Once in the hall, we were seated one table behind the front, bang in middle, so we had the best of views, as Joanne and I reached our table, Jon and his daughter Rachael, were talking with Alun Davis! Then Joanne was introduced to him, he was told that she had just flown in from Boston for the show, and they were shaking hands and then Alun turned to me, “I’m afraid I have only come from Leicester” I said laughing, and Alun said “Well I can still shake your hand can’t I! And he was laughing too.
Shortly after that, Joanne and I had pictures taken with Alun!!!

Unfortunatley the picture of me wouldn't open






SuzieQ, HardheadedSofthrtd, Cristalina, Marier, Jon (not sure of his user name) and his Daughter Rachel



I took a few shots of Yusuf, but in the interval/ between takes, I was told off for using my camera

Hear are some of what you have all been waiting for,







After the concert, I overheard someone ask if they could go back to see Yusuf, and he was told that the guy in the white shirt was the one to see.

Well it’s not like me to be so pushy but,….. I almost broke the land speed record and ran across the hall to speak to THE Guy, I said to him that we were from the Majicat website and wondered if we could possibly see Yusuf, he said “I will have to ask as he has a dressing room full of family” and off he went, so I rounded up as many of us that I could as most people had now left, and we waited, Then the Guy (sorry don’t know his name) came back with a big thumbs up Yeahhhhhhhh!

I tell you the night just kept getting better and better!

I was first in the door, being pushy again!!! And saw Yusuf hugging someone, I waited a while, then I caught his eye and said (while shaking his hand!!!!!!!!!)
Hello I’m Sue (SuzieQ) Yusuf said "Oh yes, SuzieQ Five Stars"!!! Ohhh he knows of me!!!!!! so then I asked Yusuf, “So does that mean you look in on us?” Yusuf answered, “When I have looked through the BBC stuff and read all of my emails, I think umm, I wonder what they are talking about today”!!!

Edited to add Of course, now I wish I had said Oh please would you post something for us. But of course, you can always think of things you should have said!

Then I shook hands with Fauzia and said a big thank you to her.

The other girls introduced themselves using their web names, he recognized us all!!! at this stage I was all quite overwhelmed as you can imagine, there HE was, right in front of me!!! We spoke about his Granddaughter, Ariana (I do hope I spelt it right) He was explaining where the name came from, and there she was, Ariana, in her mothers arms just at the side of us, the most beautiful little girl, with lovely black hair. Then Marier asked if it was possible to have a picture of us all together, after asking Fauzia and Muhammad, Yusuf said yes, it was ok, so I went to take a picture, Yusuf said to me, “Oh, you must be in the picture too” so I turned around and asked a nice gentleman if he would take the picture for me. Yusuf said, “He is the right man to take the picture, That's Peter Sanders, He is the photographer that took the picture for the album, (this is the same one that is and on the ‘Menu’ for this nights event). He also mentioned that he had taken pictures of someone else very famous, but for the life of me I can’t recall who at the moment, Yusuf also mentioned that this picture was taken in Dubai.
(The picture of Yusuf, sitting at a table, drinking coffee, with the poster behind him and his guitar at his side.)


From left to right
SuzieQ, HardheadedSofthrtd, Muhammad, Yusuf, Yusuf's son-in-law ( I believe) Cristalina an Marier.



Then someone else came in and took Yusuf’s attention, But I so wanted to get his autograph, as you do!!! (some people are just never satisfied!) so I stood there holding up my pen and a menu and just gave him a look I can only describe as PLEASSEE. He looked at me, and bless him, if he didn’t stop what he was doing and come right back over to sign it for me, and of course, he then went on to sign for all of us. After that we had to literally drag ourselves away.

Yusuf is such a warm, caring and giving person, but we already know that don’t we.

I have tonight just been to another concert to see James Morrison!!!
I don’t know, it’s been at least 25 years since I have been to a concert and then two come along at once!!!

I will post more tomorrow as I didn’t have a lot of sleep for the past two nights, Umm, I wonder why?

Signing off for now, a very elated and ecstatic Sue…

Oh, Yusuf also mentioned, while we were talking about the set, now that we have it, he said (the set) we very well may be doing smaller more intimate venues, and maybe interviews at the tables. Now, there’s a taster for things to come!

Thank You Yusuf, for all your wonderful music and such a memorable and perfect night.

And I look forward to the next one!!! As long as I can get a ticket!!! Hint hint.. lol


Edited for spelling,

[1976]

Great photos.

[bookworm]

You all had a wonderful night! Thanks for the descriptions and great pictures!
Would you please say who each one is in the pictures?
Thanks,
Sue

[1976]

"Would you please say who each one is in the pictures?"

SuzieQ is first on the left on the Yusuf group photos.

[Lucy13]

AWESOME!!!!! What a sweetie!!!

(maybe there's hope for me yet...

c'mon Yusuf... don't you want to meet me before Pete does??)

Seriously.. what a lovely, lovely evening!! What a lovely man and family..

Graciousness embodied.

Thumbs up to everyone!

[bookworm]

Thanks, 1976! It is nice to put a face to names. I know Yusuf and his son, but not the rest of the people.
Sue

[Lucy13]

Everyone looks really gorgeous!! NICE photos.

[SuzieQ]

Go back to original post to see the names

[bookworm]

SuzieQ, thank you so much for taking the time to name everyone! You all look great! It so obvious you were having fun!
Best,
Sue

[Chris]

Thank you SuzieQ with the 5 stars for your terrific review and pictures. It sounds like a dream come true. I am so happy that you were able to enjoy it with the other ladies.

Keep the reviews and pictures coming, I am loving it.

Who is the young man in the group picture with all of you? Is that Majid? What wonderful keepsakes.

Oh and Cristalina, Thanks for the track listing.

[Daddy-o]

Fabulous photos and recollections, thanks so much for posting. So good to see Alun with Yusuf again. Yusuf's son Muhammad looks like he's just stepped off the Catch Bull At Four cover, you can tell they are related!

[mawa]

I am so happy you all made it to the concert. You all look so elated in the photos. I'm so happy that you were able to meet with Yusuf and his family. What a wonderful night. What a wonderful journey it must have been. Thank you for sharing the stories and the photos.
Peace Mawa.

[m@kansascity]

how come yusuf looks younger than everybody else???



:-)

just kidding


wodnerful terrific

thanx

[waterside]

SuzieQ, Thank you ever so much for posting your wonderful description of before, after and during the concert and the great photos. The photos are wonderful and you all look so nice. It sounds like you all had an exciting and marvelous time. It is wonderful that you all had a chance to talk to Alun also. He has always seemed to me to be a very nice person and a calming influence on Cat (back in the 70's when Cat would get upset about something). It is just so wonderful that they are back playing music together. They played together so beautifully back in the day, and I imagine they still do.

Since no one has mentioned Jean Roussell, I guess he wasn't there. I thought he might be since he was with Yusuf and Alun on the Jools Holland show.

It was just so great that you were able to meet and talk with Yusuf and his family. What a wonderful evening!

I'm anxious to hear Joanne's story too, about the BBC editor, etc.!

Thanks again everyone for posting!

[flemmishfan]

Sue i am so happy for you and wishes deeply i was there around to.Tell the rest of the world what a nice person Yusuf is and ofcause his whole family.Did Mohamed say something ,he really had a big smile i saw.And are there pictures of the little Areanna tell us Sue you are the one who bin there.Regine

[catnip]

Oh, Sue, I have tears of happiness reading your account of the exciting time you had listening to Yusuf sing in person and getting to meet him and his family and Alan!!!! And amazing photos on top of it all!

So many dreams have come true through this experience and I'm so happy for all of you. I know some day my dream will come true, too, and I'll get to see him perform in person and meet him. Until then, I will enjoy reading everyone's story and relish the fantastic photos. Thank you so much.

Lora

[Lucy13]

george2 said:

So good to see Alun with Yusuf again. Yusuf's son Muhammad looks like he's just stepped off the Catch Bull At Four cover, you can tell they are related!

Muhammad couldn't possibly be smiling any wider!

Cute. :-)

(hi Daddy-O!)

[Chris]

I know, wasn't that a sweet picture of Muhammad. I liked the second one as well.. giving "the Look" haha

[Lucy13]

Yeah.. what's cute about Muhammad's smile is it looks like he's as happy to meet the fans as the other way around!

That's the way it looks, anyway. He looks ecstatic!



(btw, M. I WILL be buying 'WK' VERY soon. Just haven't gotten around to it yet.) (too much music, too little time.. )