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Post by shimmery on Mar 18, 2010 1:34:04 GMT 10
  St Patrick's Day Setlist SET 1 Remember June (bliss - means the start of a couple of hours of beautiful show) To Get To You ( held my breath waiting for the big Noooooooo - when Damien got to that moment I saw him get ready and knew then he was going to go for it, which he did, and I was straight on my feet cheering  ! ) Fisherman's Blues (wooo hooo hooo! ) Keyboards section - this was the best spot yet I've seen Damien have the keyboards, they had him on a little raised platform facing the front and you could see him very well. Beautiful  Wild World Unordinary World (this one always chokes me up - fighting on my friend even if there are falls along the way, it really inspires me)  Ride On (mesmeric perfection) Back to the guitar! Annie's Song (lovely as always) Guitar Man/Stairway to Heaven (really great version of StH tonight too, 2 great songs together!) Wicked Game - AWESOME  Loved it all, this is such a favourite as it is and you can imagine in a pub/woolshed on St Patrick's Day, the place went off when Damien did his Irish dance  Break - oddly no ladies' room reviews and goss tonight but I heard people all around the venue generally saying how amazing Damien was and amazed at his voice. I'd been telling a few I'd seen earlier that if they hadn't seen him live then they were in for a treat because if you think the recordings are good, his voice and performing live will blow you away, and I heard those people raving to their friends later how much they had loved him. SET 2 If Tomorrow Never Comes - really lovely, Damien solo for this one Fields of Athenry (another one that chokes me up, love it ) Rocky Road to Dublin (1 2 3 4 5! ) Baby I Love Your Way/Fall at Your Feet  Damien laughed on stage that this took Indi by surprise as it wasn't on the list  . It was a long version of Fall at Your Feet too, I love this song combo so much I can hardly even say!! It's been such a long time since I've heard Damien sing FAYF and it's a massive favourite!! 22 Steps (plus kissing is awkward at 8 years story, lol) Fantastic version and another great solo by Eric! Everybody's Talking (During this one I decided to do what a few others had done and go over to the centre in front of the stage and take a couple of pics as nothing I was taking from the side was really coming out. The lighting was beautiful throughout but again was the kind that puts a bright light right on his face and hard to get good pics, I think I'd be lucky to have one or two, will post later anyway to be a record of the night. Just took a couple on my phone so I'd have some to tweet later but the ball of light was still on Damien, I don't think they came out that well. Damien was lovely and gave me a smile right down the lens but his face is all light even in that one too, oh nooooooo. Lol just as I took a couple Damien got to the sing-a-long bit so I ran for my life to the safety of my chair  Danny Boy well- you can imagine what this one was like on St Pat's day - the whole room was singing along, it was so moving and beautiful. It was the 200th anniversary of the St Pat's day celebrations being declared an official day of celebration in NSW and in such a place so entrenched in Irish/Australian history as Rouse Hill and in that old historic place - the moment really got to me, and then I came back to the present seeing Damien there, a young Irish guy making his new life here just like so many who have passed through that very spot on their journey to make a new life in this new country over the centuries. Wow, felt such a sense of the continuity of history at that moment and it was really touching and a beautiful moment. Instrumental (could have been Toss the Feathers but don't quote me, lol) - either way was a lovely ending to the set! Encore! Hallelujah! Damien intro'd this as being the B-side to his new single Forgive Forget released soon. He had also mentioned Remember June the book also being released soon during the show. Eric did an extended solo which was amazing and Damien was very impressed that Eric did his solo standing up instead of on the seat I just held my breath again at the very end and Damien went for that higher note to end once more and nailed it - magic!! Then, as soon as it all began, it was all over!! Just loved the show, will never forget such a special St Pat's!! Wardrobe report - Teh black!Jacket!of!Hawtness! (which was off by "Beautiful"  ) Grey t-shirt (I think) with dark writing, teh tight!jeans!we!love! and I think red connies. Anyway - looking gorgeous as always! Will be back in a tic with a little more about the venue etc while it's still fresh. Edit: Just realised I wrote more about the latter songs than the earlier - that wasn't intentional, I just got talking as I was going
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Post by shimmery on Mar 18, 2010 3:01:56 GMT 10
Whoa where did that hour go! I'm fading fast but want to try to write while it's fresh before the busy day kicks in tomorrow. Teh adventures Well, was a bit of a frantic day b/f & I got away ok in the end and made our merry way off to Rouse Hill. We ended up going the back way to avoid the traffic and by some amazement made it there without getting lost - no that was to come later, as I mentioned earlier We spent half the trip crying seeing all the once beautiful pastureland around Castle Hill/Rouse Hill all carved up into new housing developments but I'll just try forget that trauma for the moment and get on with the story... we passed by Bella Vista as well, which was where we saw Damien in November, that's only about 5 mins up the road. Saw the big sign for the Mean Fiddler (after a quick panic thinking we might be lost, but we weren't, lol) and sailed straight into a parking spot so that's always a good luck sign, luck of the Irish for St Pat's Day We were looking at the amazing trees there (took some pics - those ones actually did come out, lol) and were walking to the woolshed. I thought I could heard Indi's violin! Sure enough, when we got to the woolshed, all the doors were open and we walked in to see quite a few people watching on while Damien, Eric and Indi were doing soundcheck, playing"Fisherman's Blues"!!  Well, just funtarstic! The security guy was saying he was gradually getting everyone to leave who didn't have tix but everyone who did could stay! We walked in a bit further and saw Rusty sitting at a bar table so went to say hi and he was lovely and invited us to take his table as he was going back to set up. Was a good spot a bit back from the stage to the side and we ended up staying there for the show as it had a great view of the stage. The general seating in the middle was big wooden tables with long benches either side, and all the bar tables were to the side of those. There were 3 bars in the woolshed alone !! Next Damien was on the keyboards doing the soundcheck there as well. He spotted us and waved   On keyboards he did some of "Never Tear Us Apart" (I've never heard him do that live before!!) and "Ride On". Wow!! There was still quite a lot of people there having drinks so we were all getting a brilliant bonus mini-show! Soundcheck was over so they left the stage and headed off with a wave out the side doors to wait for the show, and we settled in to our spot and ordered our dinner. Was such a nice way to start the night! We were so happy just to be out for a relaxing night, it's been just crazy pace lately and we've hardly had any time out since Marconi. Amazing place!! It's been stunningly restored, they've really done it well by combining historic buildings and modern elements sympathetically and innovatively. After the show we were chatting with a local who was telling me all about the place and how the woolshed is the original one from way back in the early 1800s but it has been fully restored and made into a venue as well, and this complex of buildings all links around a courtyard to the original inn at the front facing the road which is the most amazing colonial tavern. We went exploring it all after the show, the bar there was still open and a seisún was underway with people just spontaneously dancing to the music in the packed bar - was such a great place, Michele I can see why you think so highly of it there! Lots of Irish music of course while we were having dinner & a few people Irish dancing on the other side of the room. We thought the show was starting at 7pm but Damien was actually on at 9pm. When I went out to the bistro I heard a guy finish singing out in the courtyard there and he said he was heading in to the woolshed for a few songs - so I realised that meant ... support act! He is doing a current season during the week at the Mean Fiddler and came on in to do some songs. I don't think the crowd was really in the mood though, it was all a bit subdued. They were definitely in the mood for Damien though! He was very warmly received. It was a bit noisy at times as there was a lot of talking through the songs, but really it reminded me of Annandale which was another real pub gig and very noisy and relaxed. Damien told a good story on stage how he was both the barman and the performer at a gig one night, in his early days, and he was the only one there anyway, so he just enjoyed having a few drinks all nigh At interval I went over to the table to see if I could enter the competition again for the new book but it wasn't running tonight. Great to see people there buying "One More Time" as well as the albums! It was a long day for Damien and the guys as you can imagine being up for the show this morning as well, but they put on a great show! We totally enjoyed it all. Loved the show & was such a beautifully designed space, good security, friendly and polite staff (couldn't believe it when at least 3 of the barmen stood back to let me through at various times during the night!) We looked around at the buildings after the show before we headed off. B/f got a bit peckish on the way home so we stopped off at Maccas at Bella Vista - everyone there last year will remember, was funny to be there in the middle of the night after being there on such a sweltering day last time. After we left there we took the wrong road & got lost and ended up going home via a long loop but there was no traffic so it was still a pretty smooth trip. Fantastic night out, it all will seem so long ago by tomorrow when we're back into the crazy pace again but so glad we went |
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Post by princess1 on Mar 18, 2010 5:07:55 GMT 10
Thanks for the report Shims, I'm so glad that at least one was there to see the show, it sounds like you & b/f had a great night and what a great setlist, nice to see you upheld the tradition of getting lost while on your journey Damienites rule |
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Post by Trilly on Mar 18, 2010 9:02:42 GMT 10
Thanks for the detailed report Shims. Aaah, I knew this one would be special. So glad one of us got to be there..and bahaha!.. getting lost. Gawd, how predictable are we? Yep, having listened to Indi's album the instrumental is Toss The Feathers, which she does as Part 1 and 2 live as well. It's a real toe-tapper.  I vaguely remember it from my (brief) Irish dancing days, think. It's traditional. Sounds like D was in wonderful voice and that it's a great venue. Love the history.Thanks. (Bella Vista at night huh? Very diffferent, I'd imagine.)  |
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Post by erinbella on Mar 18, 2010 9:26:06 GMT 10
Shims, I can just see you running back to the safety of your chair. There is nothing like hearing "Danny Boy" being sung on St Patrick's Day. I can understand how you would have been moved. Thank you so much for a wonderful report.  |
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michele
Record Producer
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Post by michele on Mar 18, 2010 12:56:32 GMT 10
Great report Shims, you described the place beautifully it really is a nice place.I should of told you where the back entrance to the band room was you could of slipped in and said hi to Damien.LOL.
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Post by Glawz on Mar 18, 2010 13:25:25 GMT 10
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Post by KrisLovesDamien on Mar 18, 2010 16:50:21 GMT 10
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Post by nixter on Mar 18, 2010 16:51:33 GMT 10
Thanks Shimmery for your wonderful detailed report.
Great set list. FAYF is always a favourite. And Danny Boy would have been so emotional.
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Post by Nuffy on Mar 19, 2010 1:50:24 GMT 10
When I saw the size of the posts, I knew I had to get comfortable with a nice cuppa! Gorgeous descriptions as always Shimmery and especially love the sound of successful and spontaneous sing-a-longs. I love Damien's version of Danny Boy but have hated some other people's versions! Thanks for the reports Shims. |
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Post by dmac on Mar 19, 2010 3:25:32 GMT 10
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Post by 12ktina on Mar 19, 2010 19:31:48 GMT 10
Loved reading your report Shims, felt like I was almost there with you - I particularly enjoyed being there for the sound check..... oh hang on, I wasn't there was I??? Sounds like a fabulous night and a lovely venue in which to celebrate St Pat's day! |
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Post by shimmery on Mar 20, 2010 1:04:21 GMT 10
Shims, I can just see you running back to the safety of your chair. yes, guaranteed to get my little legs moving I forgot to tell the other story of teh setlist - this almost continues on from my last saga lol At first I was just going to try to remember the song order (a bit too optimistic I think after a couple of celebratory drinks) but since I had a good high table and clear space to write, decided to do it properly. After wrecking my pristine silk-covered notebook last time by writing the setlist upside down and back the front  I decided this time to take no chances and took some nice paper to write it on which I was going to stick in the book later.... So all going according to plan - I wrote the first set on the front, and then the 2nd set on the back... which of course I realised afterwards means I CAN'T stick it in the book - idiot!! lol I don't know what I was thinking the other night, this is what happens when I go to a gig midweek and have a scattered mind Thanks everyone, I'm glad you enjoyed the reports. I felt really emotional the other night but in a good way, sometimes it's good just to let the tears flow at the beautiful songs  Bella Vista at midnight certainly was different all right, it was actually really sad in a way. I hate going back to a place where I've had a lovely memory when it's all empty and closed up, I'd rather have remembered it the way it was that other time. Wow Tina, love seeing your siggie there - 3 years ago and another St Pat's day that has a lot of wonderful memories! |
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Post by Roxy on Mar 22, 2010 19:36:14 GMT 10
What a brilliant report as usual Shims, love the sound of this venue. A woolshed!! Is this place out in the country? Lucky you got to hear the soundcheck Shims, I so wish Damien would do Never Tear us Apart!  I had hoped on this tour that he would considering he has the piano/keyboard. Oh well, I'll have to be happy with that little snippet when he was in Perth at that interview!  I'm wondering if the reason he doesn't do it is because of the amount of other artist's that cover this song, or perhaps because this tour is more Irish flavoured, it may not suit. Gosh that was a ramble in a half back on track.. Sounds like a great setlist, and I'm sure it went down a treat being St Pats day with all the Irish peeps that would of attended. I adore Stairway to heaven, and did I read right (in another thread) that he sings the whole song now? Thanks for the report Shims, I hadn't thought anyone was going to this, so was a nice surprise to see a report for it.  |
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Post by shimmery on Mar 23, 2010 1:08:59 GMT 10
What a brilliant report as usual Shims, love the sound of this venue. A woolshed!! Is this place out in the country? Lucky you got to hear the soundcheck Shims, I so wish Damien would do Never Tear us Apart! I had hoped on this tour that he would considering he has the piano/keyboard. Oh well, I'll have to be happy with that little snippet when he was in Perth at that interview! I'm wondering if the reason he doesn't do it is because of the amount of other artist's that cover this song, or perhaps because this tour is more Irish flavoured, it may not suit. Gosh that was a ramble in a half back on track.. Sounds like a great setlist, and I'm sure it went down a treat being St Pats day with all the Irish peeps that would of attended. I adore Stairway to heaven, and did I read right (in another thread) that he sings the whole song now? Thanks for the report Shims, I hadn't thought anyone was going to this, so was a nice surprise to see a report for it. lol Roxy, well, some would definitely say it's in the country but basically it's in the north west of Sydney in what was still a semi-rural area until about 10 or so years ago, now it's becoming very built out. It was however one of the very first areas to be settled for farming in Sydney, is near Castle Hill. Sooooo much history, though it's getting harder to read it from the landscape the more the area changes. The Vinegar Hill rebellion in the early 1800s was very close by and I was really breathing in the history around the place that night in not only the vistas but the evocative street names, & particularly when that local guy came up to tell me more about it all and how he was familiar with the woolshed as being just that for many years, it was literally an historic remnant sitting in the field near the pub until it was all incorporated into it's current form. It really is the most fantastic place, I loved it! Reminded me of the woolshed dances I used to go to at school, it's very informal and basically a giant barn, but beautifully fitted out. Huge timbers everywhere, corrugated steel roof, etc. I'm so glad now we made it out there, I was so anxious that our plans might all get pulled apart by work so I didn't post here that we were going in case it tempted fate. As it was we very nearly had to miss this one (after I was already dressed and ready to go!! ) but we got there in the end, and it was just amazing the way we got out of the car and I heard the notes of Indi's violin floating over from the distance. From that moment I relaxed and felt we were on a night out - I just followed the music - and there they all were! I'm not sure if it was all of Stairway to Heaven but if not, it must have been close, it seemed to me a much more extended version than we've heard in the past. Definitely sounds like Damien is still continually evolving the songs and I love that, no matter how many shows you go to you'll always hear a new nuance or something you could never predict. Wow, I just about flatlined when I heard Damien playing the first notes of "Never Tear Us Apart" on the keyboards when I've never heard him do it live before I grabbed b/f's arm and just went "OMG!!!" in his ear, and he was going "What, what?  "  By then I was absolutely going off beside him and making delighted chirps  and said really fast so I didn't miss a single note, "OMG!! He'sDoingNeverTearUsApart OMG!!! He'sDoingNeverTearUsApart OMG!!!"  B/f had no idea what I was going on about (not that uncommon an occurance, lol - he's pretty used to me being excitable ) |
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And WOO! It has been a while since he has sung FAYT! 
especially playing with the semis 
I'm wondering if the reason he doesn't do it is because of the amount of other artist's that cover this song, or perhaps because this tour is more Irish flavoured, it may not suit.
"