It’s taken me all day to recreate the destroyed part of my blog- and I’m feeling a tad weary-
So I’ll skip the bit about arriving in Perth-and just post my lovely New Norcia photos and cut to the concert-
SATURDAY 10TH FEBRUARY:
Pp and I rented a car and drove to the monastic town of New Norcia – that I’d read about in a magazine.
Here’s some more information-
http://www.walkabout.com.au/locations/WANewNorcia.shtml
and I’ll just post some pics-
The cockatoos wheeled overhead-
the light seemed so intense-
At the hotel- this was originally the hostel for parents to stay- when they visited their boarding children at the schools-
We had a lovely lunch on the terrace-
We went on a tour that took us past the guest house of the monastery-
into the chapel of the monastery- a 'modern' addition- from the '1970's
into the former chapel- now a meeting room- I loved the ceiling-
Then it was on to the church-
I had to take a picture of the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God)
Rufus sings the Agnus Dei (part of a Mass) on his Want Two cd.
The boys’ school- they were schooled for careers in medicine- law- the sciences
The girls’ school- they were schooled in literature- the arts- music
THE CONCERT:
From the boards:
OK- Guess this will be us signing off on our reports - and begrudgingly passing on our Beloved Rufus into the loving and protective hands of the Los Angeles contingent.
Perth Concert Hall would probably be the on the same scale as Hamer Hall in Melbourne.
But with what seemed an incredibly tiny foyer for the number of people attending the gig. Shoulder to jowl wile waiting to go in doesn't come near to describing how crowded it was.
Took ages to get in and seated - no support act this time. Show probably started about 15 minutes late/ ... and then it began.
The lads running on as they do... then Rufus quickly running in and getting straight into Release the Stars.
His suit was one I'd not seen before..a white one with blue patterning..almost reminded me of the Willow plate pattern... loved it:
but back in row G couldn't really see what it was.
It was great to be sitting back a bit -as we ( me and portrait painter)could get a whole view of the stage...although nothing compares to being front row and gazing lovingly at our gorgeous boy, but we've had our share of those.
I thought I would feel a sense of sadness -this being the last concert.. but all I could think of- and was that these wonderful musicians who'd given so much pleasure to so many people were at last going home tomorrow..and how good that must feel for them. I was so excited that this was there last show and they'd be heading home.
GOING TO A TOWN
Rufus launched straight into this after a dash to the piano in the darkness. Half way through he had to give a little cough as his voice caught in his throat.
Audience was less loud/enthusiastic in their responses than other audiences. But this was probably one made up of die hard Rufus fans- those people who MUST attend the prestigious festival gigs-and this was at the elite concert hall-first night of the festival (I think..)regular festival goers who are up for anything and may not have known a lot about Rufus...and people who may have booked on the strength of seeing Kate and Anne McGarrigle.
Rufus explained the flag.. then said..I'm just trying to be clever..what do I know ..I sell records... just go out and by my records...
SANSSOUCI
Every song he plays ..as the intro starts.. I think..ahh this is my favourite. And on it goes with the next song. I think they're all pretty special really.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
Rufus explained he'd had a swim in the Indian Ocean.. best ever!!he said with a thumbs up.
Said he was there with his band and they probably looked like these skinny ghecko things- all pale and lizardy like.
You people are so tanned and beautiful. So much male gorgeousness ( or something like that)
MATINEE IDOL
Rufus talked about this being the last show.. and flying to Los Angeles tomorrow to do a show. Said they'd either end up being horrible or brilliant!
Half way into the second verse -he stopped and said " Stop- stop let's start over- I was thinking about the jet lag."
The look of horror on the Horny Boys' faces was priceless!- "Say what????"
There also seemed to be a bit of tweaking the sound during the show.. so whether they had less time for soundchecks..
Will continue after I come back from Fremantle.
But basically- it wasn't the best I've seen our lovely boys- I think their energy levels were down a bit from other concerts- and who could blame them. But then- that may just be my perspective having seen other concerts.
CONCERT REPORT PART TWO:
Back from a lovely day in Fremantle.
Back to the world of Rufusness.
Before I go back to the concert- I came up with a cunning plan that wouldn't it be great if we could give Rufus and the boys a great farewell by throwing streamers onto the stage when they took their final bow.
I had the email addy of the tour manager because of the competition - so asked if there were any technical objections if the venue said we could.
He said they had no objections if the venue was ok with it.
We got back late in the afternoon from our trip- and I waited until we got to the concert hall and spoke to the front of house manager. He said he'd have to say no- but thanked me for checking and not just doing it. I'd even offered to clean up the ensuing mess!
So I was stuck with 3 boxes of party poppers I'd bought coming back from our day trip on the off chance we could use them - and portrait painter pointed out I probably couldn't take them home on the plane - mini explosive devices you know...so I left them with the staff at the hotel desk- for future parties they might have!
With hindsight - the 2 front rows crowd at the Festival gig probably would have thought I was a loon for even asking them to launch these popper streamers at the boys- but- hey- it seemed like a great idea - and our boys needed a lovely send off.
So back to what did happen- from the world of what didn't happen:
After M Idol- Rufus launched into The Art Teacher- this was met with the ;loudest cheer of the night to date- a lovely rendition with Louis's accompaniment on the French Horn.
From then it was into Tiergarten with guitar, again I ws thinking --oooh- my very best favourite-
Leaving for Paris:
He talked about being in the European part of the tour- and explained what and where the Tiergarten was- then talked about the Baz Luhrmann/ Moulin Rouge thing for the next song.
Wow.. I never tire of this song. It's so achingly beautiful and pristine and gradually you become aware of the slightly off kilter menacing guitar and double bass sounds creeping in- to be joined at the end by the discordanance of the horns. Wow.
Lots of applause- and a sense the audience were warming up /loosening up..whatever they do in Perth!
Perth Concert- Part Three:
Posting this after arriving home at the airport at 5.00am - and after a bit of a catnap.
Forgot to say that I think it was before Leaving for Paris?? or maybe later.. that Gerry stepped off stage to check something with the sound- and didn't make it back for the beginning of the song. I'm sure PP will set the record straight when she gets internet access and posts.
Between My Legs:
Rufus introduced the winner from Perth- a lovely beautiful looking young Asian boy/man whose name I can't remember- because his video audition has come down- but he was the one that had the rather Vincent Price delivery filmed in a bedroom(?)
I think Rufus inro'ed him as "???" Kim- and seemed unsure if it was one or two people- but no it was one. He used the shaking stick and stood and gently swayed to the music and at one stage just in front and across from us his girlfriend/sister? stood up and squealed and clapped with excitement.. very cute!. He delivered the lines well- in that Vincent Price style and the crowd cheered loudly at the end of the song. Rufus had given his encouragiing smiles as usual... dear sweet boy. Then it was over- and Rufus did the kissy thing and it was interval!
He did the Aussie contingent proud- as had all the other contest winners. Sorry I can't recall his name. Hopefully he'll post a video at some point. His audition video has gone- because I tried to check his name.
Getting outside at interval was just as slow and arduous as getting in had been- but PP and I managed to get to the terace for some fresh air.
Took a photo of the concert hall- it reminds me of the exterior of the Metropolitan Opera in New York
We squeezed back inside for the second half.
SHOCK HORROR!!!! Rufus made his dramatic post interval entrance in his liederhosen- and the stage was in darkness!! The spot finally lit Our Rufus and he made those gestures that meant - "Hello!!! It's all about ME!!!!"
- to some wolf whistles from the audience.
He slipped behind the piano again - and here we go again- me thinking--this is my favourite- I LOVE THIS SONG- as The Consort began.. so beautiful. Each song seems to take me on such a roller coaster of gentle love/longing to dramatic flourishes and crescendos where I feel my spirit and soul soaring. (sigh) Or I just become an almost puddle of weeping loss in things like The Art Teacher, Not Ready for Love and Macushla.
Do I Disappoint You was next. I think with each song the applause was getting louder and more sustained.
Rufus did his Judy numbers- and intro'ed them by saying they were from his Judy shows- that he was NEVER doing again.. but would probably always do a song or two in his show forever.
Beautiful Child: Got a rousing response at the end- probably the best so far for the night.
Have I mentioned that I almost slide off my seat every time he does that step back and skip forward thing that he does. Ooh I LOVE those moves.. and never more so than in his "song trousers" and woolly socks..
Not Ready to Love: Rufus said we were all going to be in a scene from 'Streetcar Named Desire" He was Stella- we were Stanley and we had to say our line on the count of 3-
I do love his dramatis at this point- head thrown back-eyes closed - crimson lips slightly parted - and delicate back of hand gently grazing his forehead as a small sigh escapes from his heaving bosom! Brilliant! And some nights we get to see it twice! Bingo... we did!!!
The audience barely had time to titter and the hushed silence fell immediately.. as he began yet another song that makes me stop breathing as I watch and listen,totally captivated by every note and word.
Slide Show: By this time I was beginning to have that sense of loss you have when you realise it's nearly all coming to an end. Gave myself a mental Cher Moonstruck "Snap out of it!" slap and hunkered down to enjoy the rest of the concert- dammit!!
Before Rufus intro'ed Macushlah- he said how disappointed and sorry his mother and aunt- Kate and Anne McGarrigle were that they'd had to cancel doing the show- and wanted him to pass that message along.
He explained Macushlah being done without amplification with the horns- then said he knew everyone was affected with the sad death of Heath Ledger and he was dedicating the song to his memory.
Loud applause- then launched into 14th Street and then the stage exits by the band.
I have to say that Perth wins the prize for the most sustained applause and response from an audience in this part of the gig.
The band returned -as did Rufus in his robe and off we went again with
I Don't Know What It Is and Poses.
Some started to stand up and applaud- perhaps not realising there was more to come.
Out came the chair- the bling- THAT lipstick and that head movement that reminds me of the sideshow Balls in the clown's mouth thingy.
Off we go into that fantastic manic dance of the band ( has to be my favourite dance sequence ever!)We knew that the escapades and tricks were escalating and tonight culminated at the final sequence where the guys are kneeling down around Rufus at the end. Will scooped up Matt by an arm and a leg- and staggered across the stage carrying him (only just!) and dropped him with Matt finishing the number flat on his back with his legs in the air!
Great applause at the end- the guys took their bows- and I was so pleased that now they were heading back to the U.S.
They had all done us proud and I know Rufus would have to have garnered many more fans on leaving than he had when he arrived.
Add to that the absolute graciousness of Rufus with fans at the stage door. Never once did he ignore them or brush past them, but engaged with them, signed things and had photos taken. The band too were very gracious when approached by fans. I and I know all of us who were privileged to see the performances wish them all so much success and happiness in whatever comes next.
PP and I did look for a stage door- just to be able to stand their and applaud as they left.. but think there was an underground car park from where they'd exit.
So we just went on our way- and presumed they know how much they were all loved,admired and appreciated
.
Thanks to all the lovely rufus fans I met along the way. It is so heartening to meet people who GET IT.... this mad driven obsession with Our Boy Rufus. We truly are special people - as is Our Boy.
THE END OF MY BEST ROAD TRIP EVER!!!
