Title: My Recap Of Elliott's 1st Nyc Solo Gig - Bowery!
nuChik - May 25, 2007 02:03 PM (GMT)
This was written for my myspace page catering to Elliott fans and non-fans alike, so there are references that you all would be familiar with already, so just ignore those k?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While some of you were at home watching that drivel I now call 'American I-DULL', I was standing in a sea of Elliott fans waiting for him to hit the stage.
We had to wait a lot longer – another two hours to be exact – but it was worth it. Every second and every sore foot pain afterwards!
First let me start off by saying that I love Elliott Yamin. Not 'in love' like I want to have his babies but I simply LOVE him because he's such a sweet soul. SO pure and genuine, and he's so grateful for all he's accomplished and all God has brought his way in the past year…forget Kevin Covais being adorable, I wanna squish Elliott!
Okay, now that I've got that out of my system – back to the review:
Here's a picture of the banner I made for Elliott.
At first I was just going to bring it to hold up in the audience for him to see but on the way there I thought, why not let all the fans sign it for him – then actually GET the banner to him afterwards? Hmmm…
Sounded like a plan.
When I get to the ballroom the line is already starting to form. I heard the girl at the front of the line was there since 2pm! So I pulled out the banner and my two mini sharpies in maroon and teal, and folks started signing away!
After Elliott's opening act (Josh Hoge, who was pretty good by the way - check him out here at his website: http://www.joshhoge.com - by the way, 360 is HOTT!), the crowd started getting antsy. By one minute to 9pm we were frenzied…
When Elliott stepped out onto the stage, we all lost it!
It was so cute the way he seemed almost 'shocked' by the applause and screams, like a little kid with a new bike. He recovered quickly, and came to the mic and gave NY a shout-out. Dressed like he was going to hang out at a friend's house, it made the atmosphere homier and relaxed, like we were all there to chill and have a great time and not trying to impress.
He opened with "Alright" and let me tell you, that band of his is HOTT! That intro was incredible, I felt like I was in a club on the floor with a drink in my hand – and I don't even drink! Elliott sang it to perfection, of course – I was expecting nothing less.
When he first came out on stage we had the banner up high but I'm not sure if he saw it. He went right into a song and we had to put the banner down because people behind us were complaining – rightfully so, I would've been upset as well if someone were blocking my view with an 11x70 inch banner! lol
So AFTER the opening song we held up the banner again and this time Elliott stopped to read it! I watched his eyes go from one end to the other and then he smiled BIG!
About three songs in, I believe after "Take My Breath Away" (which did take my breath away – and his!) the banner rising had retired because I didn't want to get beat up, so I started waving the T-shirt I made for him (I know, I know…but I can't help making gifts for Elliott, he's so adorable!). So to not block the people behind me again I decided to get rid of it. While others were screaming out stuff as he talked back to the audience I yelled, "Elliott! Catch!" and tossed the T-shirt to him. I have a lousy pitching arm so it landed on someone's head (I think it was yours, Tanya!) but she passed it to him – and he drops it right to the floor! My first thought was 'oh no he didn't!' but I realize he had to stay on schedule with the songs and all so I'll let him live...
By the next song he dipped down and folded the shirt and set it aside – it seemed he was trying to read it while he was singing his song…now I don't know if he was reading the lyrics on the stage or if he was trying to read my shirt – I'll go with he was trying to read my shirt! Works better for me! lol
Now comes the moment were time stood still. Elliott sings "One Word".
I like to video a few snippets here and there while I'm at a concert, for my 'memories' (you should see some of the stuff I have of Taylor Hicks in concert…shhh…) but for THIS song I taped the entire thing! I want to be able to go back and relive that beautiful moment when Elliott Yamin sang my favorite song on the CD…and he blew it up! And he did that little Luther note near the end and I felt my eyes tear up.
Once I composed myself I enjoyed Elliott's semi-duet with Josh Hoge on "Living For the City", and I got teary-eyed again on "I'm The Man". Such a beautiful song, such a sweet song – Jamie, you're a blessed young lady!
After singing "Little Ghetto Boy" I was slapped in the face by "Train Wreck" as well – I love that song, it's so soulful and funky and Elliott just puts his stank on it. And I fell in love with it before knowing he co-wrote it! Wow, Elliott hit the mark with this one – had me, a grown woman, thumping my Eminem wrapper move throughout the entire song…what the heck? It was fun though, I felt mad 'thugged out'! (Omigosh, did I just type that?)
I got no recoup time in-between the last three songs because Elliott went straight from "Train Wreck" to "Wait For You" and then closed with "Movin' On" – I didn't know what to do, I couldn't even compose myself. He sang with such clarity and energy, even after what, eleven songs he's pushing out the last one with just as much fire as the first. Wow, what a performer he's become.
He left the stage and I felt deflated. But then I remembered 'encore' and I started screaming "El-i-ott! El-i-ott!" with the rest of the crowd. After about two minutes he comes right back out with only the keyboard player (who was extremely good-looking, by the way…not that I was paying attention to that, you know…) so I knew "A Song For You" was coming.
I was right.
Okay, now I'm not an emotional kind of gal. I don't scream and cry and pass out (well I nearly hyperventilated at my one and only Luther Vandross concert but…) but I think Elliott managed to change that. Lucky to have a pretty steady hand, I was able to hold the camera with one hand and still watch Elliott with my eyes. I stood there with my hand on my chin and tears in my eyes because I knew he was living his dream. Up there on stage singing Donnie Hathaway to a crowd where half of them wouldn't know who Donnie Hathaway was if it weren't for Elliott Yamin…and we all paid homage to the song that made Paula Abdul wail – now I get it, Paula! You're not crazy or drunk…seeing Elliott sing that song live is tear-inducing. I felt like a proud parent watching my baby grow up right before my eyes. I was so proud of him in that very moment my heart felt like it would burst from my chest.
Then it was over. For real this time, (sigh) no more encores.
So after the show I was determined to get my banner, with all his fans' signatures, in his hands. I asked two stagehands if I could and they said THEY would give it to him - I didn't want it to end up on the bus in a box crushed with the luggage – I wanted it to go from MY hands to ELLIOTT'S.
I was standing around waiting to see what I could do when Scott (Elliott's adorable little brother) come down the stairs right in front of me, so I went straight up to him and started my plea. Showed him the banner, told him I made it and had practically all Elliott's fans signatures (from that night) on it and I really wanted him to get it in his hand. Scott told me to go downstairs and wait in the bar area, Elliott should be coming down but was in meetings upstairs with his record label. Then Scott smiled and said, 'Are you the one who threw the T-shirt onstage? Yeah, Elliott was just showing it to us, he LOVES it!'
Of course, that made my day. Maybe he was staring at the shirt while trying to sing…hmm…
Had to snag a pic with baby brother:
So I went downstairs, talked with a few folks, hung out with Scott's friend from college back in Richmond (Hey, Tanya!) and took some pics and then...
ELLIOTT CAME OUT!!
But it was funny - he was 'allegedly' trying to escape but his tour bus wasn't outside yet. So he had to come back downstairs again. Poor guy, he came back in and tried to get to his dressing room and ran right into a woman I met that night coming out of the ladies' room. She wailed and he took off! It was something from a movie, I wish I had my camera rolling – hysterical!
So we wait some more. I end up talking to this guy who looked like 'Constantine Maroulis from India' and was so distracted that Elliott snuck into the room and I didn't even see him! I kindly walked away from this dude in mid-sentence (If you're reading this Om, I'm sorry for being rude but come on…dude, it was Elliott!)
There was a crowd around Elliott so I waited patiently for my turn and I then presented t him with the banner and told him I was the one who made the Tee for him too. His eyes lit up and then he gave me this BIG HUG and said thanks. So he and I took a couple of pics with the banner and then I told him, 'and I wanted to say thank you again for singing happy birthday to me at virgin records'- then he said, 'Oh yeah, that WAS you!' and gave me this big ol' cheese grin and another HUGE hug!
Here's the banner with all the fans' signatures - thanx to all who signed! It really put a smile on Elliott's face! We NYers know how to treat our loves:
So he loved the banner, he loved the t-shirt and he remembered me. It was a cool night. I didn't get out of there until MIDNIGHT, got home 1am, in the shower and then to bed by 1:30. My feet were SO SORE the next day, and my arms hurt from banner holding, waving and fist thumping throughout the entire show but it was worth every bit of pain…Elliott rocked NYC Tuesday night!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While some of you were at home watching that drivel I now call 'American I-DULL', I was standing in a sea of Elliott fans waiting for him to hit the stage.
We had to wait a lot longer – another two hours to be exact – but it was worth it. Every second and every sore foot pain afterwards!
First let me start off by saying that I love Elliott Yamin. Not 'in love' like I want to have his babies but I simply LOVE him because he's such a sweet soul. SO pure and genuine, and he's so grateful for all he's accomplished and all God has brought his way in the past year…forget Kevin Covais being adorable, I wanna squish Elliott!
Okay, now that I've got that out of my system – back to the review:
Here's a picture of the banner I made for Elliott.
At first I was just going to bring it to hold up in the audience for him to see but on the way there I thought, why not let all the fans sign it for him – then actually GET the banner to him afterwards? Hmmm…
Sounded like a plan.
When I get to the ballroom the line is already starting to form. I heard the girl at the front of the line was there since 2pm! So I pulled out the banner and my two mini sharpies in maroon and teal, and folks started signing away!
After Elliott's opening act (Josh Hoge, who was pretty good by the way - check him out here at his website: http://www.joshhoge.com - by the way, 360 is HOTT!), the crowd started getting antsy. By one minute to 9pm we were frenzied…
When Elliott stepped out onto the stage, we all lost it!
It was so cute the way he seemed almost 'shocked' by the applause and screams, like a little kid with a new bike. He recovered quickly, and came to the mic and gave NY a shout-out. Dressed like he was going to hang out at a friend's house, it made the atmosphere homier and relaxed, like we were all there to chill and have a great time and not trying to impress.
He opened with "Alright" and let me tell you, that band of his is HOTT! That intro was incredible, I felt like I was in a club on the floor with a drink in my hand – and I don't even drink! Elliott sang it to perfection, of course – I was expecting nothing less.
When he first came out on stage we had the banner up high but I'm not sure if he saw it. He went right into a song and we had to put the banner down because people behind us were complaining – rightfully so, I would've been upset as well if someone were blocking my view with an 11x70 inch banner! lol
So AFTER the opening song we held up the banner again and this time Elliott stopped to read it! I watched his eyes go from one end to the other and then he smiled BIG!
About three songs in, I believe after "Take My Breath Away" (which did take my breath away – and his!) the banner rising had retired because I didn't want to get beat up, so I started waving the T-shirt I made for him (I know, I know…but I can't help making gifts for Elliott, he's so adorable!). So to not block the people behind me again I decided to get rid of it. While others were screaming out stuff as he talked back to the audience I yelled, "Elliott! Catch!" and tossed the T-shirt to him. I have a lousy pitching arm so it landed on someone's head (I think it was yours, Tanya!) but she passed it to him – and he drops it right to the floor! My first thought was 'oh no he didn't!' but I realize he had to stay on schedule with the songs and all so I'll let him live...
By the next song he dipped down and folded the shirt and set it aside – it seemed he was trying to read it while he was singing his song…now I don't know if he was reading the lyrics on the stage or if he was trying to read my shirt – I'll go with he was trying to read my shirt! Works better for me! lol
Now comes the moment were time stood still. Elliott sings "One Word".
I like to video a few snippets here and there while I'm at a concert, for my 'memories' (you should see some of the stuff I have of Taylor Hicks in concert…shhh…) but for THIS song I taped the entire thing! I want to be able to go back and relive that beautiful moment when Elliott Yamin sang my favorite song on the CD…and he blew it up! And he did that little Luther note near the end and I felt my eyes tear up.
Once I composed myself I enjoyed Elliott's semi-duet with Josh Hoge on "Living For the City", and I got teary-eyed again on "I'm The Man". Such a beautiful song, such a sweet song – Jamie, you're a blessed young lady!
After singing "Little Ghetto Boy" I was slapped in the face by "Train Wreck" as well – I love that song, it's so soulful and funky and Elliott just puts his stank on it. And I fell in love with it before knowing he co-wrote it! Wow, Elliott hit the mark with this one – had me, a grown woman, thumping my Eminem wrapper move throughout the entire song…what the heck? It was fun though, I felt mad 'thugged out'! (Omigosh, did I just type that?)
I got no recoup time in-between the last three songs because Elliott went straight from "Train Wreck" to "Wait For You" and then closed with "Movin' On" – I didn't know what to do, I couldn't even compose myself. He sang with such clarity and energy, even after what, eleven songs he's pushing out the last one with just as much fire as the first. Wow, what a performer he's become.
He left the stage and I felt deflated. But then I remembered 'encore' and I started screaming "El-i-ott! El-i-ott!" with the rest of the crowd. After about two minutes he comes right back out with only the keyboard player (who was extremely good-looking, by the way…not that I was paying attention to that, you know…) so I knew "A Song For You" was coming.
I was right.
Okay, now I'm not an emotional kind of gal. I don't scream and cry and pass out (well I nearly hyperventilated at my one and only Luther Vandross concert but…) but I think Elliott managed to change that. Lucky to have a pretty steady hand, I was able to hold the camera with one hand and still watch Elliott with my eyes. I stood there with my hand on my chin and tears in my eyes because I knew he was living his dream. Up there on stage singing Donnie Hathaway to a crowd where half of them wouldn't know who Donnie Hathaway was if it weren't for Elliott Yamin…and we all paid homage to the song that made Paula Abdul wail – now I get it, Paula! You're not crazy or drunk…seeing Elliott sing that song live is tear-inducing. I felt like a proud parent watching my baby grow up right before my eyes. I was so proud of him in that very moment my heart felt like it would burst from my chest.
Then it was over. For real this time, (sigh) no more encores.
So after the show I was determined to get my banner, with all his fans' signatures, in his hands. I asked two stagehands if I could and they said THEY would give it to him - I didn't want it to end up on the bus in a box crushed with the luggage – I wanted it to go from MY hands to ELLIOTT'S.
I was standing around waiting to see what I could do when Scott (Elliott's adorable little brother) come down the stairs right in front of me, so I went straight up to him and started my plea. Showed him the banner, told him I made it and had practically all Elliott's fans signatures (from that night) on it and I really wanted him to get it in his hand. Scott told me to go downstairs and wait in the bar area, Elliott should be coming down but was in meetings upstairs with his record label. Then Scott smiled and said, 'Are you the one who threw the T-shirt onstage? Yeah, Elliott was just showing it to us, he LOVES it!'
Of course, that made my day. Maybe he was staring at the shirt while trying to sing…hmm…
Had to snag a pic with baby brother:
So I went downstairs, talked with a few folks, hung out with Scott's friend from college back in Richmond (Hey, Tanya!) and took some pics and then...
ELLIOTT CAME OUT!!
But it was funny - he was 'allegedly' trying to escape but his tour bus wasn't outside yet. So he had to come back downstairs again. Poor guy, he came back in and tried to get to his dressing room and ran right into a woman I met that night coming out of the ladies' room. She wailed and he took off! It was something from a movie, I wish I had my camera rolling – hysterical!
So we wait some more. I end up talking to this guy who looked like 'Constantine Maroulis from India' and was so distracted that Elliott snuck into the room and I didn't even see him! I kindly walked away from this dude in mid-sentence (If you're reading this Om, I'm sorry for being rude but come on…dude, it was Elliott!)
There was a crowd around Elliott so I waited patiently for my turn and I then presented t him with the banner and told him I was the one who made the Tee for him too. His eyes lit up and then he gave me this BIG HUG and said thanks. So he and I took a couple of pics with the banner and then I told him, 'and I wanted to say thank you again for singing happy birthday to me at virgin records'- then he said, 'Oh yeah, that WAS you!' and gave me this big ol' cheese grin and another HUGE hug!
Here's the banner with all the fans' signatures - thanx to all who signed! It really put a smile on Elliott's face! We NYers know how to treat our loves:
So he loved the banner, he loved the t-shirt and he remembered me. It was a cool night. I didn't get out of there until MIDNIGHT, got home 1am, in the shower and then to bed by 1:30. My feet were SO SORE the next day, and my arms hurt from banner holding, waving and fist thumping throughout the entire show but it was worth every bit of pain…Elliott rocked NYC Tuesday night!
yellin4yamin - May 25, 2007 02:29 PM (GMT)
WOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!!! I didn't even HAVE to be at the NY show hon to enjoy every living second of it, because you just said it all SO PERFECTLY!!!! And I am soooooooo with you. When I tell family, friends, anyone who will LISTEN actually, that I LOVEEEE Elliott Yamin, they instantly think I want his bod....which he has a beautiful one, but that is for Jaime to enjoy, HIS SPIRIT, SOUL, HEART, and VOICE, is what I find impeccable. You just know the man meets thousands of people, but when he is in that "moment" with you....to him, and to YOU, you are the only person on the planet. He never for an instant makes you feel "disconnected" from him in any way, shape or form, and he is grateful for every moment he has. If only EVERYONE could live their lives like Elliott........
;) Thank you so much and I LOVE THE BANNER!!!! SO glad you got to meet him hon, cause it is one AMAZING moment that whenever you are feeling blue, you can pull from the index cards of the mind, and instantly...SMILE;)
xxoo
;) Thank you so much and I LOVE THE BANNER!!!! SO glad you got to meet him hon, cause it is one AMAZING moment that whenever you are feeling blue, you can pull from the index cards of the mind, and instantly...SMILE;)
xxoo
Millie858 - May 25, 2007 03:21 PM (GMT)
HAHAHA i'm the guilty one who got there at 2pm :lol:
I couldnt help myself i wanted to be first hahaha...i'm bummed i missed out on signing the banner though bc i didnt even know about it till i saw it go up a few times when i saw it out of the corner of my eye. Elliott is one of those rare and true performers. I hope the record label ppl saw this guy isnt one they want to keep on the back-burner but need to devote to promoting him everywhere!!
I couldnt help myself i wanted to be first hahaha...i'm bummed i missed out on signing the banner though bc i didnt even know about it till i saw it go up a few times when i saw it out of the corner of my eye. Elliott is one of those rare and true performers. I hope the record label ppl saw this guy isnt one they want to keep on the back-burner but need to devote to promoting him everywhere!!
MistyluvsE - May 25, 2007 05:05 PM (GMT)
Very well said Yellin... I agree with you 150%!!
Great review! The banner ROCKS!! Great Idea!
Great review! The banner ROCKS!! Great Idea!
frannibeth - May 25, 2007 05:45 PM (GMT)
great review.....you brought the experience right to me.....thanks so much....and for the record i love him too...
georgiafan1 - May 25, 2007 09:48 PM (GMT)
I loved reading your recap. It was like being there with you. It was very thoughtful of you to make the banner and to give Elliott the T-shirt. Of course he loved them. Scott's a cutie in that picture. Elliott is beaming. Great night for all.
Thanks for sharing your adventure and your pictures. Glad that you had a blast.
Thanks for sharing your adventure and your pictures. Glad that you had a blast.
nuChik - May 27, 2007 05:11 AM (GMT)
Ooops - didn't get to log on all day. Glad you guys enjoyed the review. I had a fantastic time with Elliott, as I did the first time as well. He's such a sweetie, makes you wanna squish him, take him home and feed him. I just really wanna feed him for some strange reason - it's weird! Like I'm his mommy or something !
Gah, I must be gettin' old! lol
Gah, I must be gettin' old! lol
robyns - May 27, 2007 05:37 AM (GMT)
Great recap!!
I missed the NY concert-- but I was in NJ and Philly so I can relate.
I am also a HUGE Luther fan-- and was thankfully able to see him about 5 times live. He was one of the few artists that sounded better live then on the album-- I am defintely showing my age with that word-- LOL- and our E has that same gift. I totally agree with your banner and t-shirt-- both were awesome by the way. So glad you got to meet him-- isnt he the sweetest, most genuine person?? My kids also got to meet him in Philly- what a wonderful experience for them.
I know what you mean also about wanting to mother him-- maybe it's my age--43--but i feel so PROUD of him-- like I would feel for my nephew. I think E just inspires loyalty and joy-- you want him to do well. I wanted to tell him to take care of his health--but I didnt want to sound too motherish..LOL
Glad you enjoyed yourself--I felt like I was there with you!!
robyn
:elliottelliott:
I missed the NY concert-- but I was in NJ and Philly so I can relate.
I am also a HUGE Luther fan-- and was thankfully able to see him about 5 times live. He was one of the few artists that sounded better live then on the album-- I am defintely showing my age with that word-- LOL- and our E has that same gift. I totally agree with your banner and t-shirt-- both were awesome by the way. So glad you got to meet him-- isnt he the sweetest, most genuine person?? My kids also got to meet him in Philly- what a wonderful experience for them.
I know what you mean also about wanting to mother him-- maybe it's my age--43--but i feel so PROUD of him-- like I would feel for my nephew. I think E just inspires loyalty and joy-- you want him to do well. I wanted to tell him to take care of his health--but I didnt want to sound too motherish..LOL
Glad you enjoyed yourself--I felt like I was there with you!!
robyn
:elliottelliott:
Rick1965 - May 27, 2007 11:39 PM (GMT)
hey nu chik...I remember seeing you at the Bowery concert...Great recap...next time I will definitely say hello...I still have not figured out how to post pictures, but I am trying I have some from the Sayreville NJ show, no way are they as good as what has been posted, but hey even a bad picture of Elliott is a good picture!! :elliottcap:
Benito - May 28, 2007 05:46 PM (GMT)
Darn, Nuchick, I should have signed my name as well! But from the sea of people, I didn't see you doing your thing (I was at the back relishing my first Elliott Yamin concert and having reveries of nirvana--that's how he affects and influences people.) So it was you who tossed the tee shirt to Elliott!