Tedheadone wrote:

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The Finish Line: While we have been talking about the serious slog this 12,000 mile tour was, and how nice it was to
have the finish line on the horizon in Portsmouth, it occurs that it's not a finish line at all. It's a false summit. That's what happens to
mountain climbers when the see the summit ahead, and attain it, only to discover it's not the summit at all, the REAL summit was obscured and still lies
ahead. And after a brief rest, time to press on...




The bus left the venue at 1:20 on the way back home, all aboard except local Danny home to his folks, and Mark, who was hijacked by Jodi, with plans to spend
the night in Portsmouth and have a leisurely brunch before their departure. And as glad as they all are for the break, I bet that 10 days looks, all of a
sudden, like a pretty short respite! Several Southern dates before heading back up North in mid March to try their luck with the Winter weather. Odds are much
better then in Jan-Feb but still can be dicey.




The Music Hall: This historic 900-seat theater, built in 1878, is the oldest in New Hampshire, the second oldest in New
England, and the fourteenth oldest operating in the United States. Designated by the U.S. Senate as "An American Treasure" in the national Save
America's Treasures Program through the National Park Service, The Music Hall is embarking on a major restoration project.




Portsmouth is a cool, old little city..Restaurants and shops abound all around the theater. They are undergoing renovations in the lobby, plywood up on for a
wall, but up a flight to the venue and no disruptions. I get there in time to go find the Posse, out in force, and old friend Wally with wife Kathy and
daughter Keri. Catch up with all, and meet Klaus. They are all ready. I head out just as the opener Dusty Rhodes is taking the stage, and miss the whole set,
leaving the Hall to help with some parking needs. When I finally come back in, I see a lot of folks have purchased their CD, so it must have been a good set.




Rita Carey, program director for 92.5 The River came out to tell the crowd the band would be out in a few minutes. She told folks to look out for the Posse, in
yellow, and "a fan that came form Germany". She talked about what huge GPN fans the station was. Too bad they didn't take my advice by phone and
email to get 'em in rotation and do a "we played 'em first in Boston" promotion last Spring when I alerted them they would be playing on
rival station WBOS's EarthFest. WBOS blows, they just fired all the DJ's except one and went to a DJ less (read no personality) format. I would never
say "I told you so". (I'll have to figure out another phrase...)




Not sure why, but there was a long delay tonight before the band came out. The Hall is not quite sold out, with some empties in the corners upstairs, but damn
few. I went upstairs and went to the side/front closest to the stage on B-3 side, looking down over Grace's shoulder. Nice vantage point for a song, as was
by the light board, center upstairs. Great sound in this venue, but as loud as I have heard in a long time. Stood behind Mark at the soundboard for a couple
of songs before heading over behind the stage monitor board...directly behind Matt (remember, he is now on the side, not the center) and looking across to
Grace on the B-3. Great vantage point and touch quieter.




Highlights Tonight:




Meantime: Great show starter,




Mary: The crowd fills in real quick, so many there is no way, short of calling out the National Guard to get that genie back in the bottle.
And we all know the Guard is runnin' thin these days...........




Treat: Bryan kicks, and song is extended nicely




Jet: has the crowd in serious singalong mode




Can't See Through: Someone said it best.."A song Linda Rondstad would have song (at her peak)" (ed.note In case you missed it,
it was just me who said that) You can check this beaut out here....http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2008/02/24/grace-potter-and-the-nocturnals-lincoln-center-show-available-for-download/





Ragged Company: B-3 sounded so clear and strong on this




Sugar: Got the Sun Studios Story intro




Sweet Hands: Dance party. Matt's hat flew off just before he knocked over the stool.




Paris: First performance of reworked, and re-recorded version. Grace now plays Rhodes, not the "V". Different energy level.
"Paris" was introduced at the Troubadour show last May, and was an instant hit with the fans. Let's see how this take


does. Long time fans will recall the reworking that Meantime got when it appeared on last album.




NBTW: got the rare, electric a capella version first heard at The Opera House in Lebanon, as well as the 4 way solo




Sweet Emotion: Local guy Nate, keys for Assembley of Dust, took the Rhodes in support of Grace on B-3 for Sweet Emotion, that featured a nice
crowd sing.




Down By The River: This version gave me goosebumps, my first live take. Scott was monstrous and the song eased right into Angel Gate





Adrien Brooms haircut: Adrien and Matt go way back, and she is a talented photog who has shot a lot of the shows, and off stage stuff, that
has been used all over.And she got the perfect haircut. I can't even describe. It was just perfect. Framed her face, enhanced every feature, was casual but
stylish. Tonight she looked like a model with a camera. Even more so, when she put on her jacket and scarf... I got a haircut Saturday, too. It did none of
those things for me. I was tempted to lead with this highlight...honest.




After Show: Bryan came down in the pit to chat with the peeps, and later Grace came out for a Posse picture, as did
Scott and Matt. And the band made a little presentation of thanks to Jen for getting them thru this leg of the tour...a handmade card and a nice black, long
sweater. It was nice that is was done seated at center stage, and so it was seen by many people, how much this band cares for each other...




Scene in The Crowd: Placid People John and Katie, All the Posse Peeps as promised..Dave, John, Tipi, Klaus have a safe
trip..Clan Wally, Aya, Jodi, The Potters,




set list




Meantime


Mary


Ain't No time


Treat


Mastermind


Jet


Bus


Can't see Through


Ragged


Sugar


Sweet Hands


Joey


Paris...new version


NBTW electric open, 4/way drums


Sweet Emotion w/ Nate


//////////////////


Down By The River


Angel Gate/Big White Gate