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Sound Check


KC

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I wanted to give the sound-check its own thread; because I want to make sure everyone gets the message.

After attending the Atlantic City show, I have to offer the following recommendation. Anyone that considers themselves a fan of this music MUST attend the sound check, should the opportunity arise again. This event was fantastic. To hear Wally on stage, by himself, working through several songs was amazing. Jim & Dave’s drums/bass number was great. Eric, at the keyboards, singing Strawberry Fields and other Beatles tunes was another highlight. Plus all the other songs that were played in their entirety, or in part, made the sound check a mini concert in itself. (And throw in Wally’s joking around; Eric’s request to one of the sound guys that he felt “All By Myself†because of the monitor issues; and all the other banter.) After a complete run through of Tonight, to then hear fine-tuning of the harmonies because something was quite right, I was awestruck. As a big fan of the music, I haven’t felt that awestruck since the first concert in November! (AC was my sixth concert.) This is a must-see for any fan.

KC

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I echo what KC said. The acapella harmonies of Tonight gave me goosebumps. Wally getting the cords down for Come Around and See Me was a treat, Eric playing just the piano opening for Overnight Sensation, the run thru of Mr. Tambournie Man, Billy singing McCartneys JUNK and so on.

DO NOT MISS THE SOUNDCHECK if you get a chance to attend.

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It was amazing, Brian.

KC, good idea to start the thread. Doing the M&G first and adding the sound check was the icing on the icing. Yeah, it was that sweet. Thanks guys. I don't know whose idea it was but it was brilliant.

KC is right, it's worth the extra bucks. I took my daughter and she was blown away. The M&G was the highlight for her as she was not aware I had arranged it, until we arrived in AC.

Ted

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The sound check is a very important part of the show. This is a great opportunity to see how things develop. It is more than an hour of unplanned music. This is a very well planned program that is orchestrated by the road crew. Dugie is the leader on this one and it is very important to the shows final outcome. Because every room is different is is very important to set the levels correctly and this takes time. We do it in a certain way with Jim on drums and then Dave on bass and then the two of them together; Wally checking levels on both electric and acoustic guitars and then the same for Eric; moving to Keyboards and Billy, Paul and Jenn is done the same way every time to ensure the best sound both on stage and in the room. When it comes time to put it all together then the band takes over and this part of the sound check is really unplanned. I can tell you that I never know what guitar to have ready for Wally to play. Once levels are set the rest is done on the fly. Our goal as a crew is to limit the sound check to about 1- 1½ hours so the band has time to go back to there rooms, relax and have dinner before the show. If all works out right then Dugie can be found taking his customary pre-show nap in one of the dressing rooms.

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Shut eye, thats a concept. Our day in AC started about 9:30am for load in and finally got to sleep around 2:30 Sunday morning and woke up at 7 am to get back in the truck and drive to Cleveland. Arrived around 6:30, unloaded and set up the rehearsal hall and then drove back to Cincinnati arriving around 1:30am. Day gig says get up at 6:00. Tonight, bed time at 9:00 - It is a bitch getting old.

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Just wanted to add my 2 cents about the sound check. It added a lot to the Meet & Greet, especially watching them work out new material ("Mr. Tambourine Man", adding "Don't Want To Say Goodbye" back to the live set). My friend Kim, who isn't really old enough to remember the band in their heyday (and remembers them via "Go All The Way" and Eric's solo hits) came along to humor me, and she remained unimpressed until they did a complete run-though of "Tonight"....at which point, she said - "Ok, NOW I'm impressed!!! These guys sound great!"

She was, needless to say, blown away by the show Saturday night.

Also - It was good to meet several of the members of this board there (especially the 2 ladies who kept us entertained throughout most of the soundcheck - in the 2nd row balcony, dead center (we were in the 3rd row)...although I'm atrocious with names.....sorry - John

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I hate to admit it but that was me (annie) and marlene...we were so GROUPIE-LIKE in our behavior it was scary but I'm glad you guys were entertained...and not annoyed!!!!

It was great to meet you both!

Yeah and that reminds me: weren't the harmonies on "Don't want to say good-bye" just beautiful???

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Marlene/Annie - Yeah, I'm sure I was talking about someone else....(wink).

I didn't think it would be physically possible for the band to top their 2nd night at BB Kings (7/24) performance, but....they may have done so on Saturday....and putting "Don't Want To Say..." back into the set was one of the reasons. Their harmonies made the hairs on my arms stand up! - John

P.S. Looking into my leave schedule at work - I still have 5-6 days that I have to take by the end of the year. LA and SD in late October are beckoning........

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Flying monkeys, was I in that dream??

Ernie I saw how hard you guys worked even till the wee hours after the show was over. If it wasn't for you guys there wouldn't be a show so I have all the appreciation for you guys as can be.

Show night I noticed that Eric had ripped his song list and sure enough you guys were in there with another one as soon as you could. You guys are good, very good, so don't be putting yourself down (except to sleep). It's you guys that make Raspberries look so great!

Thank you so much

June

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I have to say, I am a bit miffed now.

People who did the M&G in AC got to GO TO THE SOUND CHECK??? We in NY were not allowed to go to the sound check. We did not even get priority seating. And we sure didn't get a special photo AT the M&G. Gene took our pictures, yes, but we didn't get any special autographed photos there.

But what we DID get was treated by persona non grata by the staff of B.B. King's, who acted as if they couldn't wait to get us out of there. The abused us in the line waiting to get in, made us wait for hours just to get a good seat for the show and then, during the M&G, hustled us out of the building as soon as we were done meeting the guys.

Somehow, I don't feel as if I got as much out of the experience as the people in AC.

It's not right.

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