clotty
Group: Members.
Posts: 237
Joined: Mar. 2006 |
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Posted: Mar. 10 2008, 15:10 |
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I'm struggling to know what to write here. I think having been given the chance to go to Bilbao for the premiere, it is only right that I tell others a little of the experience, but on the other hand I doubt you want to hear the full story from Stansted to Guggenheim via Amorebieta and back again do you? That would be just too dull.
So here goes...
Pre-Trip Low expectations - hotel booked, but cancellation details ready to send - Saturday morning, sat freezing in a computer datacentre somewhere in London - an email from Korgscrew - euphoria - screams of delight - strange looks from work colleagues - panic - I need a flight - phew there's one left - argh what if the plane's late - I'll miss the gig - fly out Thursday instead - argh no hotels for Thursday in Bilbao - Amorebieta to the rescue - ok its all sorted - try to relax.
Thursday Made it to Amorebieta 20km outside of Bilbao - my beginner's Spanish is just about holding up to the test.
Friday After a short train journey to Bilbao, the obvious first stop was the venue. I didn't realise it until I looked at my photos when I got home, but I walked right passed Korgscrew and Tim when I first arrived and only met up with them about half an hour later. By this time there were a number of Oldfield fans from the various groups starting to congregate, greet and chat outside the front of the Guggenheim Museum.
I wonder what the collective noun is for Oldfield Fans? Maybe some reference to bells - a resonance of Oldfield fans for example or an uphoovement perhaps (It could take up a whole thread couldn't it? Maybe it already has).
Most of us then went our separate ways for a look around Bilbao and then met up for a late lunch. (Rume thank you so much for this - I don't think I bought you nearly enough beers in return).
Inkanta had joined us by now. I still can't believe you came all that way - what commitment! Inkanta and I had met before, but virtually in Second Life. I was disappointed to discover that she was unable to fly in real life.
Later in the afternoon, together with the other groups, we took over the cafeteria at the museum. There was a real multi-national feel to it, with at least UK, USA, Poland, Germany, Switzerland, Spain represented. Marco had started his cartooning too.
So to the evening. We were led round to a side entrance just before the concert started and shepherded into our position to the side of the stage. Although not ideal, (the ideal being a front row seat directly in front of Mike), I really cannot complain as this restricted view, maybe 10 to 20 metres from the performers, was exactly as advertised.
I had resisted the temptation to listen to MOTS prior to release, so it was a great experience to hear it first as a live performance. I was not disappointed. I loved it and cannot wait till next Monday when the CD is released.
Mike's guitar sound seemed a little low in the mix to me. Perhaps it was where we were situated or maybe it was just technical difficulties. However, believe it or not this did not spoil the performance. Why? Well, for those that have not heard MOTS, it is worth setting expectations I think. In my opinion and on first impression, the guitar part was more incidental than we would normally expect from Mike Oldfield. Before you listen for the first time, remember that this is all about Mike Oldfield the composer rather than Mike Odlfield the guitarist.
The piece seems to have all the classic ingredients that we love and are used to. The orchestra is a perfect vehicle for the layer upon layer of sound that Mike typically builds into his compositions.
Whilst I've heard of her of course, I don't believe I have listened to Hayley Westenra before. What a wonderful pure voice and well suited to the piece.
As you will have read in other posts, Mike left somewhat promptly at the end with his guitar case on his shoulder and alas without acknowledgement to those standing to his left. I wonder if he had been made aware that we were there, otherwise surely he'd have come over for a half hour chat ;-)
Nothing left to do, we retired to a bar to chat over our experiences. What a great couple of days it was. Not just for the concert, which of course I will always remember, but also for the chance to meet with a few of the people from this forum.
Here's to March 17th.
-------------- Clotty
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