Concert Reviews
Tachi Palace Hotel, Lemoore, CA
June 14, 2007
OMG! Well, started out early to go to the casino and got there around 12:30 p.m. Dorri arrived at about 2:30 p.m. on the 13th. Decided to come a day early so that we could get to know one another before all the chaos started the next day. We went to check in and they said that they didn't have a room with two beds in it anymore as the last one was just given awayand would we like to be upgraded to a business suite at no extra charge? We agreed to that. We were handed the envelope and opened it with our tickets in there and it had us in row "F". Well we started to complain because we were told by everyone on the phone that the seats would be in row "C" or better as we got the gold package and that is what determined us to but the gold package was that the seats would be 3rd row center. Well the desk clerk called the Entertainment Department and got a hold of Lisa and she came out and said that these were the tickets that we got when the package was made up. We explained what was told to us and that this is what happened. She understood that but this is what is what. Then she said that she would have to talk to her manager and see what could be done but there were no guarantees that anything could be done. We said fine and told her the room we were in and then we were shown to our room.
The room was nice with a great view. LOL. NOT! We had the view and sound of the air conditioner fans. We immediately called down and asked for a room change. That was not what we wanted. So we were moved to another room after 20 minutes of waiting for the bell hop to bring us the new keys. Well now this was better as we had a view of the front of the hotel and where the valet parking was. And where a limo had just parked. Really nice long white stretch one. Didn't see who got out but later learned it had been David's limo and he was dropped off right by the stairwell that he went up to his room on the 7th floor. (Learned this after the fact when we saw him leave for the show on the 15th in Brooks) Sorry getting ahead of the story.
So we then got our luggage delivered and had a very nice conversation with the bell hop Paul Fraley. He was so nice. (He plays a key role in my review.) Well as the luggage was being put in its place we talked more to Paul and told him what was going on. He said he new one of the Tribal members and that he doubted that she would use her tickets and if she was around that he would ask her if we could have her tickets. We thanked him and hoped that they were front row. Well Lisa called back and said that her manager could not get us any better tickets (so we guessed it was up to Paul to come through for us) but that he would be sending up something to make amends for the mistake of the hotel rooms and the concert seats. (Could it be a visit from David?) No it wasn't unfortunately. Well, we waited another 20 minutes for that and we called back down and talked to a wonderful lady named Gloria on the phone. Talked to her many times through this ordeal as she is one of the main operators that most people talked to when they call the casino. Well she was getting off work shortly and I wanted to talk to her and thank her for being so nice on the phone and so helpful.
Dorri had gone for ice and as she was coming back she ran into Debbie and Margaret from England. I said hi and chatted for a few and then went down to talk to Gloria. Met with her and another lady from the Entertainment Department named Roxanne. (Her baby is due next month and she is ready). She had an envelope for Dorri and so instead of her taking it up to the room I offered to do so. Well, I had figured it would be the tickets that we had wanted or should I say was to have with our package. So I waited until I got to the room as I did not feel right opening it up without Dorri. We opened it and to our suprise there were no tickets in it. What the heck was this? Instead there was a seating chart and a note on it to talk to Larry or Joey. Ok who are they and why should we talk to them and then we looked in the envelope and there were two Meet and Greet passes for us. We screamed! Was not expecting that. We were just flabergasted at this. That is how we got in to the Meet and Greet not as the article had said from persistance.
Well we just sat there for a few and kept looking at the passes. We were amazed at what the Entertainment Director did for us. Big many thanks to him! Well we unpacked the rest of the way. Looked around the room and said okay time to eat. We went down to the Coyote Grill and had Prime Rib and Lobster. That was the special for the night. We decided to have the main meal Wednesday night instead of doing it the next night as we would be rushed. We had gotten a food voucher with our Gold Package so we used that for the meal. The Coyote Grill was the happening place as a lot of people go there and they have great food and service. It was the only restaurant open 24 hours in the whole place.
We ordered our food and talked about David, the passes and if Terri would be there for the show or not as we had heard she was not in Atlantic City. We also talked about how much we had in common with each other and were amazed that we didn't know each other sooner. We felt we had known each other all our lives and not that we had just met in person on the 13th. Well, should get back to the main topic (David). Well finished our meal and then took a walk around the casino and check out the venue where David would be playing. Now mind you, playing in a casino is neat. So much stuff too look at. But hearing that David was playing in a Bingo Hall was a little different for me. I have seen him play in different venues through the years and I personally felt that is was, well how to put it, a little low. Here the man plays Madison Square Garden in 1972 and now playing a Bingo Hall in 2007. But, I do stand corrected. The venue was set up with chairs and presented as more of a casual setting then if we were there to play Bingo! We checked out then all the other places in the Casino. The gift shops and the slots. Neither one of us played any but we still had fun watching the ones that did. Part II (the next day) coming up.
Tachi Casino Part II
Well now day two was a little bit better when it started out. We got up and decided to go down to the Coyote Grill for breakfast. After the usual morning routine. A new day should bring new things. Right? Yea we thought. Well, the breakfast was alright. The portions were huge. More than either one of us could eat. After breakfast the two of us decided to give the Casino a once over. (Case the joint!) Ha Ha. It didn't take long to walk the whole place. Watched them play Deal Or No Deal. What fools to even try in my opinion. The gift shops were really nice and so were the people. Went up to the third floor so Dorri could see the venue and she started to take pics and was told by security to put the camera away. I should have taken pictures when no one was in there. Well we had the tour and then went back to our room and decided to think about getting ready. I had decided on a nice mint pant suit. Well, that fell through. As I put on the pants and started walking across the room to show Dorri they started to fall off. Literally. I did not realize that they were too big. I had not worn the outfit in years. Guess I lost more weight than I thought. Oh well. Went down stairs and got some safety pins and needle and thread. Well the pins looked bad and sewing them there just wasn't enough time to do it. Sending them out to be altered was out so chuck that idea. Decided on a whole new outfit. Put on a pair of dress black pants and the old reliable jacket that I wore in December and the mint halter top that went with the other pant suit. Ok this will work.
Went down stairs for the show and then walked the whole Casino and went up the elevator for the third floor where the Bingo Hall was. We showed our tickets and got a wrist band put on so that we could come and go to the show as we pleased. We had orange ones as that was for the front 6 rows. We showed the Meet and Greet passes to the ushers and said that we were to talk to Larry or Joey and they showed us who Joey was and one usher went and got him and he came and talked to us and told us where we were to stand and wait for the Meet and Greet so we went to our seats and sat down. It was still early before the show. The doors opened at 6:00 p.m. and we got there at 7:00 p.m. The meet and greet was at 7:30p.m. So at a little before 7:30 we walked over to the side entrance and put on our passes and waited.
We were led into the backstage area with some other people and were interviewed by this gentleman from the Fresno Bee. Which all have seen the article by now. Here is the link if you have not: www.fresnofamous.com It was good article but some of it was misquoted. It stated that this was the 176 time of seeing David for me and that is not correct. I have seen him over 1,000 times through out his career. This was 176 times of meeting him and talking with him. I just wanted to clear that up. I was fortunate I had understanding and trusting parents that let me go to many concerts in David's early career throughout the United States.
Well, it ended up that I went last. One I wanted to as a surprise but David didn't seem surprised at all. He said hi and asked how I got there and I told him that I drove all the way, by myself and he said that I shouldn't have done that. Not by myself. I told him I was a big girl and that I was fine, he said yea I know but still should be careful. I asked him how he was doing and he said he was great and that he felt great and in good spirits. He looked very tired and no wonder he should be after taking four days to get to California from Atlantic City. Almost sounds like the old days of him touring. He signed a couple of things and then said he had to go. He was glad to see me and to be careful driving to the next show and I told him that I would.
There was a professional photographer there that took pictures of us all with David and sent it. (Will attach it to the end of this review.) We went back to our seats and waited for a few. The Bingo Hall was huge. When I saw it the day before it had tables set up in it with chairs and you couldn't imagine a concert there. But at the show the seats were all set up nicely and they were not folding chairs. They had each section separated for the price you paid and it made it better than I thought it would be. Then the show began and David was really in a good mood. He kidded about taking 4 days to get here and that he played with the security guards, as they would not let people up to the stage but a lot still went. People didn't show up for the concert so we moved up to the third row and that was great. Got some great shots! He joked a lot with people and Joyce got to Lei David again and that was priceless as she got a major hug from him and was helped by security back to her seat. (She said later that she can see why David was saying that he couldn't see. Joyce was literally blinded by the light.) He got mad at the guitar during his acoustic solo and started beating it with his towel as he didn't like it that is was not cooperating with him (the guitar).
Here are the songs that he did:
Hush
I Can Feel Your Heartbeat
Point Me In The Direction Of Albuquerque
Echo Valley 2-6809
Summer Days
Crossroads
No Reply
Blackbird (beating up of the guitar)
Ain't No Sunshine
Common Thief
Cherish (Re-Mix)
Band Intro/ Com'on Get Happy
I Woke Up In Love This Morning
I Think I Love You
He didn't do on encore. Maybe it was because of security or because he was so tired and possible jet lag. I really don't know but he was a lot more humerous than usual and that is nice to see him happy. The show ended too soon. Wish they could last a lot longer. Next step Cachi Creek and the long drive there.
Lizbeth
