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View Full Version : RICK in BUFFALO, NY ~ Halloween Last Night!


CelestiaLover
11-01-2003, 09:55 PM
Well ~ Let's see (if I can) hahaha

Now that I have officially gotten up for the day (as it is past 9:00 p.m.) in the Buffalo area, I just had to log on and check out what gaROOOVY review [thread] someone might have started on last night's spOOky HALLOWEEN Buffalo SHOW with Rick, but, am I still 'that' hungover that I missed it or do I actually get to finally start a new thread [kinda sorta anyway] after over a year's membership with my lovely Yesfriends! haha OK! Now, please bear with me. Ya might either wanna sit or pass. This could be long!

Now, it's not that I have nothing really profound to say about his INCREDIBLE performance (and I do mean the entire show), it's just that I cannot quite form or even begin to think of the many [wonderfully positive] words to describe Rick's solo gigs these days. Like any Yesshow, I was blown away. This was special though. The total Rick ... and it was all good!!!

First, to sit right before my [keyboard] idol {once again} just a few feet away, listen, watch, laugh and be SO totally amazed and overwhelemed by his wit, eloquence, style, musicianship {not to mention incredible speed} would just make me sound like an idiot and not do Rick justice. Hmmm! Or am I way past idiot already?! haha Hope not! You don't think getting home at 6:14 this morning had anything to do with it - do ya? haha The venue www.tralf.com where he played last night is in the heart of the Chippewa District, you see. Best club down there, too! There are many other bars [clubs] surrounding and in Buffalo last call is 4:00 a.m.! You read that right! Four the *** a.m. When we moved up here in May and I learned that little "detail" I wondered "Howe on earth can ANYone stay at a bar all night, drink, dance, eat, whatever THAT late}?! I've found out a few times in the past five months! It's FUN (in moderation, for me, anyway). Since I'm not used to the drinking part so much anymore, it's a great thing they have that new hangover prevention pill, right?! Unfortunately, I claim stupid aGAIN cuz you would have thought after last weekend in Miami with Tower of Power (on Marlins WS win night at that), I said "never again." Well ..... I've gotta make sure I mean it next time. Man, I feel ... YUCK! :crybby:

OK! I'm rambling, I know (I'm so sorry). I've been away from you guys too much and I guess I'm gonna catch up a bit with this post. Please forgive me!

I must say that one of the BEST parts of the show [for me, personally] was when lights dimmed, stage lit up, Rick came out lookin' all BaaaaaD in Black (crushed velvet jacket) black T and black pants, as we stood there honouring him with our ritualistic "YesLove" standing ovation and cheering, he spotted me {and, obviously recognising me} came right over and shook my hand with a kind of "nice to see you [again] look" (and probably where the heck DO you live anyway (I see you everywhere)?! haha What an honour and a privilege as that blessing only came to me (at that particular moment). Not bragging at all {I know so many of us have had beautiful YesMoments} so you know howe special something like that is. And those of you that know me, know me with Yes, so ... Anyway, later into the show (which oh my did I mention he's a total riot) but I guess you guys know that, too! I don't wanna spoil it too much for any of you, but he grabbed [what looked like randomly] a woman from the audience as he began to explain a few techniches [storyteller style, of course] specifically on the sustain pedal to his keys. He had two sets of double stacked on one side and a beautiful black Yamaha baby grand on my side {candelabras [SP] and all ~ light bulbs, though - but so what - nice effect nevertheless}. So, when she was queued, she was to step on and hold so Rick's last notes would sustain as he ran over to the piano to smoothly blend the transition. It was sweet! And the lovely lady seemed to get a thrill from it, too ~ I think her big, beautiful smile said it all!

In addition to Rick's fine performance, I must give major props to Bobby Millitello (owner of the Tralf) who was kind enough, on short notice too, to have his assistant, Emily, respond to a call I made to him that morning seeing if they could accomodate me for immediate entrance {as V.I.P. members to the Tralf enjoy for a yearly membership fee}. Bobby's in Europe right now {check out his bio when you get a chance on the tralf website}, however, actually was kind enough to take the time to relay my message to her and I was set. Mr. Harper (head of security) took care of me and I just must say I so appreciated the special allowance that they made for me! See, my leg is badly injured and standing in that long, long line would have been almost impossible. But I still would have done what I had to but sitting there in pain all night may have interfered just a tad with 'fully' enjoying the show. Yet, seeing/hearing Rick, Yes or any of the other guys is always very healing for me. So, perhaps I could have endured it anyway {combination SSRI AND pain relief}! They're certainly worth every bit of 'pain' I've had as a result (we're talking financial - know what I mean some of you - haha). MAN! Will this credit card balance from last year's tour EVER see it's way back down?! HA! Probably not! Spring will be upon us before you know it (unless you live in here in WNY) and here we go again! ha

Other tasty treats last night (hmmmm ~ Halloween ~ haha) but was very kewl nevertheless! A great guy came up to me who recognised me from the second Toronto show coming up on one year on the 16th. We got to talking and he lives but just 30 minutes or less from us. If that wasn't kewl enough, a woman in the ladies room approached me and asked "Hey! Aren't you Sister Bluebird?" I was like "oh my goodness" [um] "YES!" I'd had the great pleasure of meeting "close2theedge66" as we'd planned to pre-show meet and hang afterwards along with a buddy of his (they came from CNY about three hours away). What terrific guys and Hey B! The Halloween parties were great - huh? THANK YOU, D. B. and J. for making the night extra, extra special. And to you lovely lady who somehowe knew who I was!

Last but not least, of course, I had the pleasure of chatting with Rick for a bit. I came 'armed' as usual, but had to go cheap [out of necessity] but sweet [literally] providing him with a small token of my appreciation and hopefully a tasty breakfast for this morning. I know howe nasty hotel tea can be (not to mention that I've heard here in the U.S. we do it wrong anyway} - haha! I know I can hardly stand that instant coffee in the bags, so ..... A big, fat homemade pumpkin muffin with a little plastic pumpkin toothpick inserted in middle accompanied by two individual bags of an exotic tea that hopefully suited his taste. I even threw in a stirrer, napkins and packets of raw sugar just in case and sat in an "Exquisite Taste" gift bag {where I got the stuff} even with orange and black tissue! He just needed to get his own cup .. haha! Gee! I wish I could remember the tea flavour (it was so unique) and looked like it would go perfect with the muffin. I know it had cinnamon in it but the accompanying flavour was something I've never seen before. 'Hope ya liked it, Rick! We got another piccie together (no digital so it'll be a few days), let's just hope this one has me eyes open (remember last year's Tahoe pic)?! :crybby: I was also so happy to see Paul (Silveira) Yes' TM accompanying Rick on this journey. He knows me a little too well from all the shows last year so no intro was needed. Great to see you, too, Paul!!! Hey! And nobody had to yell at me to sit down! No dancing last night, man! ha ha

OK! What am I forgetting? I know .. to end this long and ramblin' post. But besides that. OH! one more thing and this is important:

THANK YOU SO MUCH RICK! WE APPRECIATE YOUR COMING TO BUFFALO LAST NIGHT AND GIVING US THE TREATS OF OUR LIVES! YOU'RE THE TOTAL PACKAGE AND IT WAS THE BEST HALLOWEEN I'VE EVER HAD. SAFE TRAVELING AND GOD BLESS!

I hope everyone had a good one last night, too .. wherever you are. And hope everyone enjoys whichever of Rick's show they might be going to. I'll see some of you when Jon announces his gig dates and venues. Again, sorry this was so long. I wish you all nothing but the best! Happy November 1st YesFriends!

((( GIVE LOVE EACH DAY )))
:valintine *~Sonya~* :valintine

SisterBluebird
11-03-2003, 12:19 AM
Hello CL, I don't think we've met. I am SisterBluebird, at least I have been on this site for a bit over a year. I live in New England now but am originally from Buffalo, the "City of No Illusions", and when Rick's tour dates were first posted and I saw that there was a date at The Tralf, I was amazed and delighted and got a ticket immediately. I have great memories of The Tralf, even before it was in its present location - it used to be a little jazz club near the state university, and some of the seating was cut out of old bathtubs (this was in 70s). The jazz group Spyrogyra got their start at that club, playing New Years Eve there for many years.

Anyway, I still have family in Buffalo so I had a place to stay, but no one to go with - I posted here looking for someone, but decided if no one replied I was going alone. No one replied, so I went alone, and had a wonderful time.

He did the same same set list that has been posted here by others, punctuated by his wonderous stories of the days when he "enjoyed a drink" or nine. During his stories, there was not a moment that felt awkward or un-genuine. When he poked gentle fun at his Yes-bandmates, the affection came through along with the humor. Musically, there was not a single moment that wasn't wonderful, and plenty that were absolute magic.

The most magical moment of all, for me, came when I met him and got a picture with him. He was behind a desk signing autographs, and when I asked for the picture he climbed up onto the desk to be next to me. There was just a moment when he had both hands on my shoulders, and I thought a) this man has the warmest hands I have ever felt, and b) I could fall back into his arms and stay there forever.

Anyway here's a couple of pics. If he's going to be anywhere near you - don't miss his show!

Laura/SB

close_2the_edge
11-03-2003, 04:17 AM
hey sisterbluebird ty so much for the great evening we spent with the greatest keyboardest in the world......no need to tell u how much fun we had because we know that night will be cherished forever......i feel if it wasnt for u i would have never gotten to meet one of the greatest men on earth..........and along with that i got to meet u which i know was the begining of a great friendship that i will hold dearly in my heart forever.....u r a very special person and i thank you for that..........We all have our opinion as to what YES music means to them.......to me it means love and harmony to everyone around u.........and on friday i got to spend that with someone special as are all YES fans.......i wish i could have met more, but will cherish that night with the one i did meet........here is hoping i can meet more in the future

close_2the_edge
11-03-2003, 04:31 AM
CelestialLover......i recently posted i reply and i sent it to sisterbluebird thinking it was u cuz i know u sometimes go by that name.........silly me.......lol........but that was for u..........and to the other sisterbluebird.........i would have enjoyed meeting u

Bugeyes
11-03-2003, 11:42 AM
... If that wasn't kewl enough, a woman in the ladies room approached me and asked "Hey! Aren't you Sister Bluebird?" I was like "oh my goodness" [um] "YES!" I'd had the great pleasure of meeting "close2theedge66" ... Sonya, I really want to know what possessed you to say, "Yes" to the question if you were SisterBluebird? It really confused me Sunday when I read your post. An now I am sure Laura is confused and so is close_2the_edge!

But you know what, on second thought, when people ask me if I am always sunshine, I say yes too and add, "I am the heart of the sunrise" But now I know, that would be Yvette! I guess women just love being possessed, but...no man owns me.

It's another wild day in my brain, wahoo! And I'm trying NOT to think of WakeMan's warms hands and falling back into his arms (for a day)...but I can't help it! SisterBluebird...ugh!!! !!!

SisterBluebird
11-03-2003, 08:21 PM
Sonya, I really want to know what possessed you to say, "Yes" to the question if you were SisterBluebird? It really confused me Sunday when I read your post. An now I am sure Laura is confused and so is close_2the_edge!

But you know what, on second thought, when people ask me if I am always sunshine, I say yes too and add, "I am the heart of the sunrise" But now I know, that would be Yvette! I guess women just love being possessed, but...no man owns me.

It's another wild day in my brain, wahoo! And I'm trying NOT to think of WakeMan's warms hands and falling back into his arms (for a day)...but I can't help it! SisterBluebird...ugh!!! !!!

Whatever. There is at least one other Sister Bluebird here (in the UK), a Sister Bluebeard, and god knows how many Oliases. We all love the same band and the same songs, its bound to happen. I just wish we all could have met, and that was why I posted looking for people. If (crossing fingers and saying a prayer) Jon should happen to include the Tralf in Buffalo on his solo tour, WE SHOULD ALL GO!!! And if he appears somewhere in New England, WE SHOULD ALL GO TO THAT ONE TOO!!! And that includes you, Peggy dear!!

Laura/SB