Austin 11 Reports

Russell had the crowd completely captivated and I am sure that he could have made the mass do anything he wanted, hell, he got us to try to line dance. That didn't work too well, I used the word mass for a reason. The majority of the crowd sang along to all the songs and danced away. They opened with Barry Kable and then sang Swallow My Gift. Great new song. Other songs played, in no particular order, including the encores, were: Oblique is My Love, What You Want Me to Forget, Sail Those Same Oceans, Nowhere, She's Not Impressed, All the White Circles, The Photograph Kills, What's Her Name, The Day Dave Hit the Train, Memorial Day, and a couple others that I have forgotten or don't know the names. They closed the show with a long version of David.

The band was rocking all night, even when Russell forgot a line or he stopped to tell a story they kept up and didn't miss a beat. Dean played an orange Gretsch hollow body guitar for most of the show, but used a Gibson for the slide guitar work on David. Russell played a black acoustic Gibson. It was hard to see what Dave Wilkins was playing from the side we were on, but it looked like a sunburst Gibson to me. Garth played a silver Fender bass guitar. Also couldn't see Dave Kelly through the show so I don't know what set he was playing on. Excellent show, the best concert I have been to in a while. Kept the crowd into it and the music was GREAT! Can't wait for the new cd and I hope they continue to have a good time in Austin and the next show is a success. Although not better than the 11th because I would miss it.

Well, I will mention one thing and hope I'm not being repetitive: IT WAS HOT. FU**ING HOT. Did I say it was hot??

Okay: Thea (my wonderful new friend who sold me the ticket and fulfilled my fevered desire at the 11th hour) and I get into line, close to 4 o'clock, to save our spot and wait for the group. We are having fun, talking with others in line, but, after about half an hour, I just started getting dizzy from the heat. I knew I had to stay in the shade as much as I could, or I wouldn't make it to the concert. Stayed in the shade (what there was of it) drank some water, felt a little better. An example of the quality of people who were there: there was a lovely woman with a whole cooler of water, handing out large bottles, and she gave me one, God bless you, whoever you are.

Now it's heading onto three o'clock. Finagle my way into Stubbs, go to the bathroom, wash my face with cold water and felt a lot better. Decide I better eat, before I faint, before I take my turn in line again. Didn't have to wait, too long.

But, just as I start eating, some poor girl is helped into restaurant, over to huge fan, which is right across from my table. Nearly passed out from heatstroke. I start helping out as best I can with cold clothes; make sure she gets crackers to settle her stomach, etc. Stubbs people are wonderful and attentive. Paramedics come and examine her, and eventually she rallies and goes??? Never saw her again.

And then….ANOTHER one!! Again, we are all surrounding her and doing what we can. No paramedics, this time, but I see her after the concert: friend took her to emergency hospital, but she got back just in time for Russ.

So, by now, my group comes in, and I try to finish my meal as fast as I can because others want my table, but then they tell me that wristbands are being handed out and I should get mine.

So, I jump up and hurry outside. AND…just as I am approaching the entrance, WHO COMES ROARING OUT ON HIS HARLEY?? YES!!!!!!!!!

I got an up close and damn good look at those blazing eyes and huge hands hugging those handles just as he sped out into traffic.

Not to make a big deal of whatever I did in Stubbs-other people were there as well as me-but I would like to think that the Gods took note, and gave me that reward!!!!

Eight o'clock. We rush in; elbow our way to the closest possible spot. I get separated from most of group, but am still with a lovely lady, Susanne and her sister, and we have been having a nice time chatting. Discover that there are NO SEATS. YE GODS, well, ok, that's the way it is.

I will not say just how impatient and restless and tired we were, nearly two hours later, when the comedian came on, but I will say the experience was becoming the most grueling of it's kind that I've ever experienced.

Finally, TFOG! …. And we still had to wait for him. He is a God-awful, terrible tease. We listened to somebody-I don't know whom-singing some twisted version of "Waltzing Matilda." Later, into the concert, when Russ says we SHOULD be singing that ditty, I wish he had…in that soft, sweet voice from "For The Moment," but I digress.

Finally, there he is, and when that voice roared through the air, I actually felt the wind knocked out of me. And that was for openers!!

There were no beer bottles thrown, and I don't think he flicked any cigarettes into the audience, although I could be wrong. And I, for one, could have cared less. I have never seen an entertainer mingle with his audience as Russ does: If he couldn't actually reach out and touch us, physically, he touched us in every other possible way. More fuel for the fantasies that he talked about….

Early on, it was clear that we were in the palm of his big hand: when they sang a completely different version of "Barry" - it took me a minute to recognize what they were singing - we were singing the chorus along with the guys: swaying and clapping and it was that was during the entire concert. He tried to teach us, "Ill Never Be Alone Again," with mixed success, but enjoyed trying, playfully insulted us "Austinites" for not being able to dance (you try it, Russ, when you're pressed flesh to sweaty flesh-on second thought, not a bad idea). I think maybe my favorite comment came when, during "What Do You Want Me To Forget," he stopped, and commented about this being a political year for us, and, hell, he was bi-partisan, we could do what we wanted, but isn't it true that politicians never do the "fuck" what they say they're going to do-so "Forget" seemed to be a pretty apt song for them! Everybody roared in agreement and as he went back to singing, those words took on a whole new dimension!

Two hours later or so, when he was lying down on stage, smoking a cigarette, I wanted to be right there, beside him, and I'm taking bets when I say I'm not alone.

I wouldn't say he saved the best for last-because he was The Best throughout the whole bloody evening-but his words about friendship and love touched me to my soul, and that rousing version of "David," - one of my very favorites - played in my head all the way back to California.

All in all, my feet may never be the same, but neither will my heart.

Oh, and when the video comes out, if anyone sees a little yellow package that was passed to him in stage-he didn't see it, then, unfortunately-that was from me. I hope he will wear that cross sometime, and that it will bless and protect him. Because, Russ, "what (you) do in life echoes in Eternity."

Okay, we arrived in Austin at 10 PM last night. Parked one block from Stubb's for free and walked up to the place. Heard lotsa screaming, then the Aussie comedian. Walked around the corner looking for a bathroom, saw a guy selling tickets for $15, bought them! Went to the front gate, got our wristbands, walked in. Found the portapotties, and laughed my ass off listening to the comedian. He was saying Russ comes on stage talking all low like he's got "four of these" meaning balls, then walks off stage and talks like this (with a falsetto). Funny guy mostly… Got my first Shiner, found a spot, and here comes the band.

Russ is dressed same as last week (VH1 was filming again, so I guess it was for continuity purposes. Black long sleeved shirt, black jeans.

Fu**in' HOT!!! He came out and yelled "G'day Austin! How the f*** are ya!?" I'm guessing not as nervous this week! He was telling some chick towards the front "You're holding my head! That's pretty f***ing weird!" (Couldn't see what she had from my point of view). He got on someone's cell phone to "Becky" and had us all yell G'day to Becky. He showed us the difference between the Aussie Flag and the NZ Flag and had us cheer for them. He was just totally loose and fun.

Music was AWESOME, and for all of you who did NOT believe me before, he sang a song I've heard of. He was talking about last week's review in the Austin Chronicle (which was NOT good), and he said he had a special song for that reporter. He said, "It has a three word title. Third word's Gift." And I died laughing! Then he gives that cheeky grin and says, "First two words are Swallow My." I was f***ing dying… And yes, I loved the song. If any one knows how I can get a recording of it, I'll owe you for life.

I was totally impressed with his chops this time round. Everything sounded better than it does even on Gaslight. They had some probs with feedback, but it was great. The guitars were totally ON, and the drummer was great too. Stewart, the new horns guy, had some probs with the first song he played, but was on after that.

Russell said also that we've been having some trouble with the name of one of his new songs. Said we'd been getting it wrong on the Internet. And he said slyly, "Yea, I read the articles." (My group all turned and looked at me.) The song is Sail The Same Oceans. Somebody's Else's Princess was a hard rocker. Couldn't understand many of the words, but caught "deep blue eyes" and said it's about me. That's ME, not cabbagehead! Cackle! I'll Never Be Alone Again is his new attempt at a positive love song, he said, and he EMPHASISED it was about FRIENDSHIP. Take that as you will.

He did two encores again. No Folsom Prison Blues, but we did get a rendition of O Canada. (Don't even ask). And he had the lights lowered and talked ALL SEXY about "Do you have fantasies?" (I shouted several.) And he mentioned something about a stadium. I'd love to read HIS fantasies. He also explained the All The White Circles was about a girl he used to have a thing for who wore a dark blue cotton dress, with huge white polka dots, and worn out cowboy boots. He said, "I know you're thinking not a good combination, but it did it for me!" and he was laughing. And he said she was never interested until he poured a bottle of red wine over her head. Said it was the best moment in the relationship.

He got another cow thrown on stage, had a couple more bras and panties, even though he specifically asked that that not happen, but Dean put on one bra and panties, so it was okay. He played to the whole crowd, including those of us stuck at the back, embarrassed people who sent notes to the stage, and had a fucking wonderful time. And so did we.

End of the evening, we waited until after 2 AM for them to leave. He came out with a couple of other people into the area where we had been standing inside and stood and talked for awhile. He was obviously telling stories, waving his hands and gesturing and laughing. He gave us a nod when we waved at him form the bridge, then got in the champagne Suburban again and they started driving out. I booked it around to the gate where they came out, and got a dazzling smile when the truck had to wait for traffic. That smile was worth every bit of heat, trouble, money, and everything else. Sweetheart, now I DEFINITELY know your smiles, and they can set a girl ON FIRE!

And no, Cabbagehead was NOT in the Suburban. She was not outside with the group he was talking to, and if she was in Austin, I did not see her.

Can't wait to read other reports too! We had a great time!

Almost forgot… massive upper body. Biceps glistening with sweat.

Thick hair, being pushed back by big hands. Slim waist, powerful muscular thighs. Little thrusts of the hips… (Wanted to be on the receiving end of those!) Fluidic motion. And the phone sex voice when he was talking about fantasies. Dear God.

And when it gets on VH1, if you see a woman leaning her head back, holding an ice cold Shiner Bock to her throat, looking blissful, it's me. I was doing that, savoring the cold and his voice, and opened my eyes to see the f***ing camera. I'm sure they thought I was having a Crowegasm *grin*

Love, Thalassa

MORE COMING SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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