Date: Thu, 29 Mar 2001 09:42:41 -0800 (PST)
From: James Czar 
To: leftover@lists.colorado.edu
Subject: My first FESTIVAL!!!

I've only posted on here a couple of times, but I love the atmosphere, so I'm going to share 
my FESTIVAL story.

I was at the LoS show last night at the Newport in Columbus, OH.  It was incredible.  After 
listening to LoS for years (ever since the Bridges to Bert album came out), I finally got 
around to actually going to a show.  So, yes, this was my first official Festival!  It was 
amazing.  They're all so tight, yet they have so much fun.  There were moments that I 
thought Vince would explode with excitement.  They really love what they do and I really feel 
like they connect with the audience.  I've heard similar feelings on here before, but after 
listening to the dozens of Salmon shows I have got in trades, I still didn't understand the 
symbiosis until I saw them.  They really appreciate the crowd, and tune into the 
atmosphere of the room.  They really feed off of it!  They truly are the kind of group I love to 
see, and can't wait to see them at Tipitina's in N'awlens on the 27th (at 2AM!).  I was 
thinkin' that they'd really be in their "element" down there.

Few bands out there these days, even in smaller clubs, really connect with their audience 
like I saw LoS do last night.  When I saw Tony Bennett five years ago, I was forever 
transformed.  I had never before seen an artist more appreciative of his audience than they 
were of him (and they were very, very appreciative of Tony).  It was like he had a tear in his 
eye every time people cheered for him.  He was so elated to be doing what he loved and have 
people love him for it.  Since then I've only had that feeling with a few artists/bands, and not 
at every show.  LoS was definitely one of them, as well as SOME (not all) Phish shows, 
Sarah Mclachlan, Indigo Girls, and a few others.  I've heard SCI is the same way, and it 
comes over on their recordings.  But I never got that clearly from the LoS shows I heard on 
tape.  But I felt it last night.  It's that kind of humbleness that really endears me to a band 
or artist and I know now that I'm going to see as many LoS shows as possible!
 from now on.

Well, that's about it.  Just thought I'd share!  Have fun at the other shows on tour.  See you 
in N'awlens!  (By the way, stop by my website and check out my Internet radio station, 
ChalkDustTorture.com.  Since it's my birthday today, I'm playing all live stuff, all weekend.  
I have LoS in the rotation, but only a few shows.  Sorry.  I haven't got a chance to dump 
them to MP3 yet.  Enjoy!)

Jay
WebMaster & DJ
ChalkDustTorture.com
"Sharin' in the groove!"