Discuss Melanie's return to Bordentown, New Jersey's "The Record Collector" here!

Thursday, March 17 (ST.PATRICK'S DAY))
The Record Collector
358 Farnsworth Road
Bordentown, NJ
609 324-0880



http://www.the-record-collector.com/ For more information and to purchase tickets

Is Melanie on tour right now?

Hubby and I will attend and then give a full report to you here. We are already so excited, and in full preparation (packing, printing maps etc).

Lauren, we will see you there, right?

Hello, I hope to meet you this time at the Record Collector....I probably saw you last time .....I am getting very excited...I am bringing my Josephine (3 year old granddaughter) and her mom, Sarah to the show....We will be there so Thursday, please come soon!!! I will also fill everyone in on the show... We are coming from Scranton PA!!!

Melanie started her show at The Record Collector with some tacky St. Patrick's Day supplies provided. "Let's get this over with," she deadpanned, as she put on a pair of shamrock sunglasses to the amusement of all. She described her childhood in an apartment building with an Irish family living upstairs, and although the "dumb Irish" and the "Guineas" were different and somewhat suspicious of each other, they found a way to co-exist (a lesson for humanity). She launched into an interpretation of "Life Will Not Go Away" in the style of a drinking song with hearty audience participation.

This classic was followed by a new song which could be an instant classic. "Live One" sounded to us like an expression of anticipation at the beginning of a new relationship, and the fear that it could bring her down. Like the lyrics, Melanie and Beau's guitar-work painted an image of unresolved stress, and set a dark tone that characterized the rest of the concert.

Melanie also performed Poet Is King, which is not frequently heard, as well as Love Doesn't Have to Hurt, a newish song she likes to perform lately. However, we remember her introducing "Crazy Love" as one of her very favorites, a song that she feels she got perfectly right.

Has anybody else heard "Make It Work (for me)" before? We have been to several recent concerts and this was the first time we have heard this one. Like Live One, it seemed to ask the question about whether a relationship would bring joy or pain, and told a story of love with a man "twice my age and half my size"... in this case, she would follow her heart, but only on her own terms.

From the new album, Melanie performed A Kiss From The Heart and Angel Watching Over You. Both of these songs were already great, once again demonstrating that Melanie is a songwriter without equal. But since the loss of Peter, these two in particular have taken on an almost hymn-like depth. We remember the emotional performance of Framingham just days after Peter died, and when Melanie reached the line "To a love who is leaving, forever I guess" she was overcome and could not go on. Beau-Jarred and Jeordie sang on and helped their Mom recover. At the time I thought, welcome, Melanie, to the family of people who have been brought to tears by a Melanie song. On the current concert, she was able to get through those powerful words without stopping, but I'm sure we all took a deep breath at that moment.

There are people who come to a Melanie concert because they want to hear Brand New Key. Although concert veterans may roll their eyes at those who recognize the song with joy, an exception is made when the approval comes from an adorable 3-year-old. Because of the (in)famous commercial for HP printers, a new generation of fans are joining our ranks. Some of these new fans have parents or grandparents who have been members in good standing for many years. The young fan in question, not much older than the road-running baby in the commercial, calls the song "Baby Running Away". Melanie wryly noted that she doesn't see a cent from the song anymore, not even a free printer, and she started reflecting on what it would take to rebuild the song as a new musical work to make it her own again. With perfect ease, Beau started ad-libbing modifications to the iconic melody. Melanie also offered a long-dragging "Huuuuuuhmp, a-ha" to gently mock the song that has cursed and blessed her for all these years.

Melanie also did Alexander Beetle, complete with 2 rounds of beetle noises. This served as an unplanned respite from the somewhat dark mood of the evening, no doubt offered for the young fan dancing at the edge of the stage.

Melanie then asked the crowd what they'd like to hear. As we weighed our options [I thought of What do I keep, but then remembered that she had not written that song, so maybe she would not have wanted to play it], someone shouted Lay Down. Melanie has been using this as a concert closer lately, and this night was no exception. She did an enthusiastic medley of Lay Down, Give Peace A Chance and a reprise of Angel Watching Over You, complete with audience participation in the fireworks.

Then, as the audience cheered, Melanie quietely said "Thank you for helping me in my ordeal" and she left the stage. Those words have been echoing in our heads since that moment.

Above review was not authored by myself, but instead by Hubby, as I somehow could not get my act together (I must have caught something on the trip, I still feel exhausted). You will also have noticed that it went far beyond my English skills, so I don't want to take credit for his work.

Let me just add a few notes.

Before Melanie came out, the announcer asked (begged!) the audience (please, please, please) to NOT USE any recording devices. It was made utterly clear that Melanie didn't wish anybody to make any recordings, and then I didn't dare to take any photos. We had seats in the front row, and those who know this venue know that the front row means: you are actually on stage with the artist.

This time I even had a better seat, and when I took my seat before Beau started playing, I was very pleased about my superbe spot, I would take the best pictures, I thought. Well, then I didn't dare to take my camera out, as I didn't want to gamble whether pictures were also meant with that announcement.

So we have no pictures of the show this time, only one photo of us with Melanie after the show, which Donna took.

Actually, there was one guy in the front row (a few seats away from us) who took out his handy as soon as he recognized BNK being played, and he held it up right in the open. It was SOOOO obvious he was recording this. No, not taking a picture, he was filming it, as he held the device still for several minutes. Everybody on stage could see what he was doing, of course also Melanie was aware she was being filmed (and also aware that somebody didn't follow her request!).

I wondered what might happen next.
How long would he do this?
Would she react?
After estimated 7 minutes she asked him to please not do that, and he said "sorry" (like he hadn't known), closed the device and acted as if nothing had happened. I was worried that Melanie cannot have been amused about this incident. I have no idea who he was. Definitely not of us, I thought.

great, albgardis, thank you

Thank You, Albgardis (and hubby) for painting the picture of Melanie's magic!


-Bill

Thank You Thank you so much for the fantastic review Albgardis!!!
M.J