| Stoke review by David Lownds |
| Jimmy
in Stoke-on-Trent We went to see Jimmy on Friday 27th April 2001 at the Victoria Hall in Stoke on Trent. My first ever concert of Jimmy, but definitely not my last. It was a full house, (he could have sold out again judging by the response). Jimmy started off with a Cat Stevens number, then onto a few of his own songs, back to some more covers and finishing off with Once Upon A Time. After he left the stage the whole crowd gave him a standing ovation, applauded for ages, stamped feet, shouted for him to come back, and he eventually did, to do a slow cover song (cant remember what it was). He said he appreciated the applause, he said, "we'll have to come back here again, it makes a big difference when an audience reacts like that, the band feeds off it and performs better". He seemed genuinely pleased and humbled by it all. |
It was a great night. He made me laugh, with not just by what he said, but his actions, I was smiling all the way through, except to Big River. He got choked on that one again, said he always does. He had a warm relationship with his audience, acknowledged all of the theatre, nodded, winked and waved to every corner. He is a great performer. I have seen Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Bobby Brown, Luther Vandross, Anita Baker, but I have to say that was the most enjoyable concert Ive ever been to. I was buzzing for days afterwards. Considering he only had 4 other band members, one or two little effects on stage, it was a simple, but intimate fabulous concert. The audience was a good age mix, teenage girls to OAPs. And even some die hard fans who tried to get noticed. He always made a comment about being hot, guess its his age catching up with him. I wish I could have taken my Dad, who is a hard working labourer, worked hard all his life, just like his own Dad, he loves his music, been a fan longer than me, and after hearing how good he was he is definitely going to see him next time. All in all, it was a superb night. Im going to see Robbie Williams in July 2001, but now Id rather see Jimmy again. David Lownds |