It has been a year since I saw and heard Lisa live on stage or chatted with her. Far too long to be without a Lambe hug!! I missed the early part of the spring tour and was not sure I'd even get to a symphony one. But, thanks to Tony and frequent flyer miles I was able to come here to Alaska. Their first visit here and mine as well!
I left my home in Colorado Thursday morning for the drive to Albuquerque with a stop in Santa Fe for lunch at my favorite east Indian place. It is run by a nice family of Sikhs and I have known them since 1998! India House is awesome. Then amid steady rain I arrived at the airport and boarded the Alaska Airlines flight to connect me to the 49th state via Seattle. My arrival was around 2 am Friday morning and Tony was there to meet me and get us to the hotel. It is located across the street from the venue stage door.
Atwood hall in the preforming arts center is a 2000 seat venue. The three shows were sold out so they added a fourth, a Saturday matinee. We would be front row center in all but the added show where we were third row. They could have a week of shows and sold them all out! Oh yes, Alaska wants them back! But then everyone does.
the audiences were good ones too, not a bunch of deadheads.
The set list is the same as last year. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Lisa does two solos as they all do. In the first act it is a beautiful rendition of I'll Be Home for Christmas. It is like a warm, cozy fire all snuggled up with your sweetie only in song. All one can do is smile and sigh. In the second act Lisa does what I consider one of her signature pieces, Auld Lang Syne. She talks about the song beforehand. It is a song I had long considered overdone and stale. But not this arrangement and not with her. It is easily the most beautiful version I have ever heard of it. I paid great attention to every note and every expression on her face in the first two shows. Tonight, for show three, something else happened. I had to think about my best friend Mike, who passed away earlier this year, and dear Glenn aka Rott'n Rebel who died a few weeks ago. Both died as a result of cancer. The last time I saw either of them in person was for Celtic Woman shows. I thought too about Mike Brown's best friend, Brad. Choked me up a bit. In addition to Lisa's solos she lends her voice to some beautiful harmonies including the end of act one and her lovely German in O Tannenbaum. Gets my kraut genetics itchy.
Today, between the two shows, I was able to meet with Lisa at the venue and give her a copy of the check to her charity of choice, Alone. We waited by the stage until tour manager Sett came and led us on to the stage where we were promptly met by Lisa. There are Christmas trees on both sides of the stage and she thought it would make a nice backdrop for the photos. Sure beats the broom closets and stairwells on the regular tour!
Lisa gave a wonderful hug to both Tony and I and then Sett took some photos with both our cameras. They all turned out fine. Lisa and I chatted briefly about the passing of Glenn and I let Sett know about some fan things like that as well. Another hug and many thanks from her to pass along to all her sailors. I also asked her about a return in 2015 and that is a question she will answer for us later.
I have one more show here tomorrow. I had missed our dear Lisa so much. A year is far too long to go without a Lambe hug and her amazing voice and stage presence. She is immensely popular now being the senior vocalist. Please make sure you continue to offer her support on Twitter and support her website once ready. She is an extraordinary person as well as artist. She loves her fans and sailors in her navy. She is even handed in her interaction with male and female fan alike. She is a willing caretaker of her fan base and as warm and genuine a person as you could meet. In a day and age of raunchy pop divas, celebrities who get in constant trouble or spout off about political or social issues, or treat fans like rubbish, Lisa is a rare gift.
One last thing, She gave Tony a salute tonight so he has now joined the officer ranks (no lap sitting on symphony so salute is the substitute), and he is thrilled. The guy next to him gave him a stunned look when she did that.
So, Ensign Picallo, you're in charge of the galley! Thank you, Lisa, for your wonderful kindness and the sharing of your gift. Salute!
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