Glass Harp

B&B Backstage, Boardman, OH
09/14/02 - 8 PM

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Hello folks,

I wanna apologize for taking so long to "phil" you in on my trip to Ohio. Everything is still sinking in! I wanted to wait until I came down from cloud nine, but that hasn't happened yet so I'll try to do it like this. Be advised, however, that this is a completely BIASED version of what happened!

Like good little fans, Tom and I spent Friday and Saturday playing with our cameras and other viewing and archiving equipment in preparation for the show. Anybody got an extra Sony camcorder battery they'll sell me cheap? I still don't like technical manuals! I'd rather write one than read one!

Finally it was time to leave for the show! We got to the B&B Backstage around 5:45 and happened accross Daniel standing outside the door. As we were talking to him, who should pull in but Robin, Brian and Phil! Nice timing! We got to our seats and began getting things set up for the show. After a few minutes, the soundcheck started and we got some nice background music--the new GH songs!!!!! After we'd made some space for others in the front row (Tom, his wife & daughter and all our gear took most of the first row...) I grabbed my camera and started taking some pictures. I had to stand on the bench to see John, which is why my pictures of soundcheck were a bit blurry! I do love that shot of Phil with the Langejans tho! I wandered around and ran into Neal, POTTERrick, Mike Gerski and a few others. Tom's wife, daughter and I then headed back to the merchandise table to chat with our own wonderful Robin who was hard at work! Thnx for the picks! Phil's road manager, Brian, and I chatted for a bit before I headed back to take some more photos. The guys had wrapped up the soundcheck and were signing autographs in front of the stage so I decided to let the fans have their fun, I'd catch the guys later after the show. They all knew I was there so I wasn't worried. After the crowd dissapated, I said a brief hello to Phil before he went backstage and then his gutiar tech, Ted Karam, came out to talk with me. I got to hold his Les Paul, the one Phil likes!!!! And to whoever it was that yelled "play somethin'!" I'd say, "not a chance!". Thanks Ted!!!

Showtime finally arrives!!!!! I grabbed my glasses, camera, notebook and pen!!! OK, I'm ready now. John, Daniel and Phil do not disappoint!!!!!!!! If I'd had any resrvations about making the trip, they were all gone with the opening notes of "Children's Fantasy"! A great version of "Never Is A Long Time", kudos to John for having a spare snare head!!! Fixed long before his drum solo in "Sign Came Thru A Window"! It was fun to hear one of my favorite PK songs, "Time" done electricly! And what a version of the Trilogy!!! WOW!!!!!! But Phil, next time hold the final note longer...I'd rather hear your guitar end a song than Matt's sax! While I was taking some pictures, I got stopped by a security guard during "Do Lord" for some reason. But we were standing right next to the speaker and the guys were rocking so loud I couldn't hear what he said!

Phil came back after the intermission to do an acoustic set sitting down. Sitting or standing, this guy can play! "Here Comes the Sun" and "Happy" were highlights! The second electric set rocked even harder than the first! The "God Bless America" / "Shouts of Joy" combo was great and let right into an always dynomite "John the Revelator". "Turn To the Light" kept up the pace! "Look In The Sky" cranked as well and "In Every Cathedral" led wonderfully into a fantastic version of "Can You See Me".

There was no encore, and we didn't really need one. They'd been playing since six and I could tell Phil was hurting by the time the nearly tw o and a half hour show ended! Even tho Phil did sit for much of the second set, don't mistake that for lack of energy. He was still on fire as were John and Daniel!

Afterwards, Tom and I had the opportunity to spend some time with the guys. Phil, Robin and I had a fun time talking and laughing together and it was nice to sit down with Phil without fans anxiously looking on!!! Daniel's brother Eddie made me feel like a celebrity, bringing me a soda (or two) and taking my picture with Phil! I also had the pleasure of spending some time with Daniel Pecchio and a few short chats with John Sferra. These guys (and Robin too!) are fantastic and it is certainly a blessing to be able to spend time with them! Thanks guys, I had a great time!

We got home around 3:30am....

Whew, that was a long post...now I need another vacation. Whaddaya think, guys? Can we do it again???????

-- Stephanie Bargenquast

Photos and review © 2002 Stephanie Bargenquast, Used with permission.

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