Red Bank NJ 10/11/11

[Elvis]

Really good show tonight! The acoustics in the theater were much better than I remember 12 years ago. And a very high energy show, from both the band and the audience, even though there were lots of empty seats. Steve looked like he was having a good time. Jim and Steve were really well lit too, which I appreciated, as we were second row, directly in front of Jim. Great seats, except the guy in the front row kept playing musical chairs. The old video was back for the polka. They must have gotten the industrial strength bubbles tonight as there still were ones floating around at the end of F2KTV. Al tossed me the Nirvana cup. I think that's #4 for me. No duplicate colors either, so that's nice. Steve shot himself in the foot for PITCIA. Bermuda broke the drum stick in half with his mouth for his drum solo reprise. No LMBYH as they went straight into CI. Al got so close to Jim's face that Jim broke into laughter. Some little kids upgraded to front row center during the medley. Coffee shop was No Joes on Broad St. Three biker scouts, a stormtrooper, and Darth Vader for TSB. Minor flub of lalala nice lady. Got to talk to Steve and Jim by the buses. No Al, though he did wave and say hi to everyone as he got into the limo.

For the card collectors, they still haven't gotten the new cards in. The merch girl said to try back again in Boston.

Dave

[Alinite27]

Thanks so much for the in-depth review Dave! I really miss shows that either you, or I, don't attend as nobody usually goes into as much detail as us.

Interesting to hear about the new cards. Is that the ones that are free with each purchase? It looked like they had switched back to only giving out the Alpocalypse card. I bought a $3 pack of cards and ended up with 3 of the new cards in the pack. Not bad for a set of 10. Still need 6 more of the new ones.

Can't wait to see y'all in Allentown!

[TMBJon]

Thanks so much for the in-depth review Dave! I really miss shows that either you, or I, don't attend as nobody usually goes into as much detail as us.

The WOWAY Award for Most Condescending Member is really a lock this year.

Sounds like a great show. By the way, Dave, gotta ask what the four colors are. Red, blue, green, yellow?

[Alinite27]

Not really sure what's wrong with me saying that. I actually like hearing what happened at the concert. Most people, besides Dave and I, just say...yeah, I enjoyed the show. Well, that's great...but tell me something! So, whatever Jon.....

[algonacchick]

Thanks for the review, Dave. Glad you had good seats, and congrats on 4 SLN cups! I've never caught one, but have been splashed with the water a few times.

Jon, good color guesses! Let's see how close you are once Dave replies again.

[Elvis]

My bad. I misremembered a color. So I guess I got a duplicate after all if anyone wants to trade.

yellow - Hershey 2000
blue - Verona 2007
blue - ????? I don't remember where I got this one. Want to say New Bedford....
red - tonight

And the cards I'm talking about are the new cards. #112-120. They're still giving out #111, 121, and 122 free with purchase.

Dave

[crazygurl14]

Wow he drives away in a limo? Swanky lol. And has he always had trouble filling venue's? I remember that in cincinnati the turnout was not good at all. Is that normal for him?
And i always wanted to see some stage 'bloopers', i always wondered if either Al or the band ever just started laughing at something someone did. I dont see how Al doesnt lose it everytime he does WBUL.

[Alinite27]

Yeah, I've seen Jim crack before during that Canadian Idiot spot. I wished that I'd got a pic of it, since it was at the Hard Rock in Orlando last week and they were allowing flash pics. I wonder if Al got even closer this time.

I have two red Smells Like Nirvana cups. One I got at Kings Island in 2003 and the other last year in New Bedford. The one in 2003, I got signed by Steve later in 2004 in Myrtle Beach. The one last year I got Al to sign after the show. I've stopped going for the cup at shows I go to now, although, to be honest, I would love to have different colors...but I don't need anymore laying around my house. One time, I can't remember where exactly, sometime in 2007, Al threw the cup directly at me, and I gave it to the kid sitting next to me. Made his night.

And, that's really interesting about the new cards. They're mixed in with the different packs, so I'm surprised that she knew that they weren't available in the packs right now. When I talked to her in Mobile, she almost forgot to even tell me that there were new cards released. But, I remember reading your review from Vegas, Dave. Annyway, in that $3 pack I mentioned, I ended up with 112, 119 and 120. The only cards that I'm currently missing are 113-118.

[Jigawatt]

Yeah, it was another great show last night. Dave covered our collective experience very well--all I can add is that I unfortunately didn't get any pictures last night, because the venue had a strange No Backpacks policy. Not a No Camera policy, mind you... no backpacks. When they made me take it back to my car, I even asked about cameras since I would basically have to walk in with it in my hands if I didn't have my bag... and they weren't even sure and couldn't answer me. So I just left it in the car because I wasn't going to feel like walking back a second time if they took a look at my camera and told me to get lost. Maybe next weekend. Jackie got some great pictures, so I'm sure those will turn up here eventually...

They actually whisked Al away to NYC in a towncar after the show for something... he briefly waved to everybody gathered by the bus as he was getting in the car. Perhaps he has some media spots early this morning or something, not sure.

Adrian

[rangerbob]

I love last nights show in Red Bank, N.J. and it was my 1st show since may 21 at Bergen Pac in NJ during the pre album release. The show changed a lot much to my surprise as i dont cheat and look ahead at set lists so i could be surprised. I took my usual 150 pictures and ill try to post some here as soon as i can. I was 1st row center so I got a good angle on many of my photos. Im glad they changed the medley in the middle of the show as sometimes they get stale. I got hit in the face with water as usual when he does SLN. I have gotten hit in the head with the cups many a time over the years and i always laugh when he gargles during that song. That song used to be towards the end of the show and im not sure why its very early on now. I like the fact the interviews bettwen songs changed and some got condensed. Its always nice when I go to a show and see new things that werent in previous legs of the tour. I know the last 5 shows Im going to will pretty much be the same but it doesnt matter as "Its still Billy Joel to me LOL"

Im going again tomorrow in allentown and I look forward to another night with Al and the gang.

see you there.

Rangerbob!