Dickinson Concert Experience
MARCH 4, 2009, 1:40 am
OK so I’m just sitting down and getting this all out. It's probably going to be very jumbled. You have been warned.
Disclaimer: This is just how I remember everything and memory is a funny thing sometimes. No clue if it’s accurate.
Waited in the cold for about a hour and a half. My feet were so cold they were aching. I went with a small group that included my sister and virtualj, one of my DCO mates. But suffering through the cold was worth it. There was a mosh pit. I was in it. Three rows back, Andy side. The things I do for this man. I loathe crowds. But I didn’t even care about this one. Because they were all Right. There. I could see their everloving facial expressions.
Holy sh*t, do those guys put on a show. David knows how to work an audience. It’s really a sight to behold.
Okay, without further ado, awesome things I remember, in no particular order:
The Truth. Impromptu, or maybe not. For the record, Andy was singing along - awesomely at that - so it couldn’t have been that spontaneous. Nevertheless, David seemed to hedge on doing the song before he started, which prompted Neal to inquire, “What the Hell are we gonna do, Dave?” And then David busted out the Truth, which was just. Wow. A welcome surprise. It was partial, but who cares. That probably means there’s more AH down the line. And dare I hope, more unreleased album? Also, if a video of the Truth shows up and you can hear someone say, rather loudly, “Oh s***” off to the right of the camera in a kind of awed voice. That’s me. The gal next to me was taping and she might have gotten me in various stages of freak out at various points during the show. I am pretty loud at concerts. I offer my apoologies in advance.
WOHWWS: An amazing song, that’s even better live. The Notes he hits! God they cut straight through a person.
In the middle of KOTN (IIRC?), David demanded that Neal play the Super Mario Brothers theme from the video game. Neal obliged. I could not make this stuff up if I tried. I might have gone a little nuts when that happened. There was screaming. Given how hoarse my voice is, I can only assume it was me. I might have screamed a lot for Neal, because he’s pretty mesmerizing.
Shallow break: IMO, Andy’s hair is even prettier than Kyle’s.
Light On: Neal did the guitar solo lean on David. Their interaction is awesome to watch. They are very … connected, I suppose is the word. It’s just cool to see.
BBS: For the guitar solo, David and Neal got on the monitors. I was torn on which one to watch. David was right there in front of me, and Neal was obscured by a sea of heads and hands, so it was Dave by default. And man, BBS live is really something.
David Fired Joey. Again. Someone threw something on the stage and nailed David right in the chest as he was in mid sentence - for the record, security was not amused, justifiably so. I was a little irritated because it interrupted the story he was telling, which I wanted to hear the end of. I have no memory of what the story was now, but at the time it was very important to me. But the projectile and the shenanigans thereafter distracted David from his awesome story. Plus, aren’t we over throwing sh*t on stage yet? Anyway, David theorized that it was a dirty diaper that had been thrown at him. (It wasn’t) Somehow Joey got a hold of it and threw it at him again, nailing him once again. Joey apologized for hitting him with whatever the projectile was (for the second time) David subsequently fired Joey for this act of insubordination. Fake chagrined, Joey slunk of stage, pouting. We all said, “Awww Joey!“ David said something along the lines of “Oh don’t worry. If you all knew how many times I’ve fired Joey …” Anyway, the projectile turned out to be a shirt with “Mrs. David Cook” on it. David said that he hoped he wasn’t meant to wear it because that would be weird. He then decreed that Andy should wear it, threw it at him, and Andy responded that he would be honored to be Mrs. David Cook. Duh, Andy. Who wouldn’t? So anyway, the projectile turned out to be very amusing, so I should really stop b*tching about it.
H4T: Neal did a backbend. I spontaneously combusted. True story.
Come Back to Me. OK, I’m not a fan of CBTM. I might be incapable of making it the whole way through the song without skipping it. But I have to give those boys credit. They make something out of it live. Granted they could “make something” out of Row, Row, Row Your Boat live, but whatever. It was good. Rockin’ and kind of pretty. Another shallow break: David is pretty during the woo-ooos.
Sometime early in the show, David was kind of toying with us, making us scream for him. He was seriously delighted at how, as he put it, just when he thought we were done, we would start up again. Then he did an imitation of us. He looked back and said, “Neal knows what I mean.” And Neal made a shooting motion at him and kinda winked, in like an intentionally cheesy way. Ok, this isn’t so much a recap as it is a DaveNealCap. Sue me. Author’s note: Don’t sue me, please. I’m judgment proof.
ADAM: Okay, Full disclosure, and here's the part where your mileage may vary and other appropriate internet disclosures. I dislike the inclination to White Hat Cook. There’s a tendency to put him on a pedestal. David’s beautiful this, David’s perfect [insert physical attribute here], David’s gorgeous soul. There’s an implication there that he’s the pinnacle of perfection. More than an implication, sometimes his alleged perfection is outright asserted. I think that’s an oversimplification of him as a human being and of him as an artist. I think it takes away from the dimension of him, of the realness of him, and the complexity of him. And what’s more, I think it does him a disservice as an artist. Achieving the pinnacle of human perfection at 26? What more is there? Real art can’t come from that. And I think he has the potential to be a real artist, because of, rather than in spite of, whatever failings he doubtless has. This is just my opinion and that’s all it is. As I said, mileage and all that.
As we lawyers say, the foregoing notwithstanding, ADAM. I have to tell you, and knowing my opinion on this sort of talk, that performance was beautiful. And by that I mean, from my personal experience, it was the most beautiful I have ever seen another human being in person. I don’t mean sexually attractive, or hot, or cute or whatever. It wasn’t about physicality. I tried to put it into words, and my sister helped me. She said, “You were witnessing another human being in his glory.” And yes. You were. And, Man, is that something to behold. If someone at that moment had held a gun to my head and told me not to sing along for him, with him, I would have been incapable of doing so. His glory, triumph, whatever it was, just swept you away.
Enough gushing, time for a funny story. My sister didn’t stay down in the Mosh pit. She sat back on the chairs. She was behind me and on the Andy side of the room (to tell you about the venue, from her seat, she never once saw, Andy, Joey or Kyle. For her, it was the Dave and Neal show. I think she was OK with that, but she did say it would have been nice to see Andy). Anyway, During ADAM, David was over on the Andy side of the stage (where my sister was sitting), trying to get the people over there to stand and sing. He was really engaged with getting one particular person to stand. I thought to myself: If that’s my sister he’s having to harass into standing up, I’m gonna be seriously p*ssed. No worries. It wasn’t. My gene pool represented.
Oh there’s so much more. I just can’t process it all. He’s so engaging and so funny and so in his element up there. It’s wild being privy to seeing someone do exactly what they were born to do.
I didn’t bus stalk. No clue if he came out, because I just came home and started writing, so I haven‘t looked at anything else. It was 25 degrees. I love David, but I don’t love him enough to get pneumonia for him. As I said to a friend earlier today, *from* him yes, *for* him no. Important distinction.
And with my ears still gloriously wringing, that’s all I’ve got for now. It’s late, and I have work tomorrow. And by work I mean, tell all my co-workers stories about David Cook and Band Live for the better part of the morning, then try to accomplish something, because I was too giddy to effectively work today.
In conclusion: Guh.
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Comments for this Blog post
Great Recap!
i completely agree with you about putting David on a pedestal. It sets him up for future failure, when he does something normal and human that people don't like. I'd hate to think that it in any way makes him restrict his normal life and self in fear of alienating too many of his fans. I mean, come on, hes a 26 year old male rocker. I HOPE he's doing things I don't want to really know about.
Beautiful
That is my favorite recap now. I keep telling people that as I read them, because they all are great in some way. But I love how you were able to express what really is extraordinary about him. He knows how to be happy. How to make others happy. How to be in the moment. Love it!
Thanks everyone!
Wow. This place really is about the love. Is David Cook ever wrong?!
Thanks for the comments and insights, everyone. And I'm happy to be dissolving the stereotypes at least to some extent. Lol.
GUH indeed!
Well, this was just awesome!
Your great comments about seeing someone do what they were meant to do echoes that of one of my teacher and mentors, Rose Rosetree, who (at my request) did an energetic reading of Dave last year. (You can read the whole thing here: http://www.rose-rosetree.com/blog/2008/05/09/david-cook-aura-reading/). This was in early May, before he won AI - and if you read it all, she explains how she does the reading and lots of other info about it and him. (BTW, I'm the Bexley she speaks of.)
She said a couple things that seemed to me to be EXACTLY what you were saying above re: ADAM. She contrasts his energy while singing and not singing.
"Soul-Expression databank at the High Heart Chakra
Not Singing:
As Bexley noted, David has an uncommonly strong high heart connection. When it comes to his desires as a human being, he is honest, unpretentious, very self-aware. Interest in going for what makes him happy, without needing extra complications, helps David to come across as authentic.
Singing
This man just loves to sing. Especially the part about reaching out to others, seeking and winning popularity: It really thrills his soul. A subtle, but real, Divine connection comes through him this way. Not otherwise terribly interested in religion or spirituality, as shown in his third eye (whether singing or not), David’s concert hall is his sanctuary."
"David's concert is his sanctuary" - how true is this? Those who have seen him will attest to that.
Anyway, wanted to share - and your recap? Loved it! T hank you so so so much for sharing it. I will be seeing him in MD, VA and DE (I ought to just get a volkswagon bus and start following them around - who's with me?) and cannot wait!
Thank you!
That was so wonderful, just had to say thanks for sharing.
Guh!
You're an attorney? (stereotypes dissolve) I think you have another career ahead. Thanks for this moving piece.
Great Recap!!
I just love when I read other people's recaps of the concerts and experience, because I always in question about HOW CAN I feel this way.
Well, not crazy, everyone else is feeling it too.
The other night in Conway, I had 4 college girls sitting next to me (wow, that sounded weird, didn't seem that long ago, I was in college) anyway, 3 of them didn't know one David Cook song and were kind of proud of it; and 1 of them was Mrs. David Cook, she said.
Anyway, after the concert, they trotted back to the buses with me because they had to meet David Cook. What an experience to see 3 of the girls transformed in 60 minutes!! Cannot wait till DC and the EEB rock out during March Madness, we will be not only fighting the college girls for the Concert tour tickets, but also the boys!!
Well, guess that is the price of success for DC.
Thanks again for the recaps. Loved it!!
Beautiful
That was an awesomely beautiful recap. Thank you so very much." Witnessing another human being in his glory." Well stated, and so very true. Thanks again.
Excellant Recap!
Love, love this recap! The part about still singing if someone put a gun to your head, made me cry, because you hit the nail perfectly on the head.
--
~The World I Know is a better place because of David Cook~
Everything about this is delightful.
But this:
I dislike the inclination to White Hat Cook. There’s a tendency to put him on a pedestal. David’s beautiful this, David’s perfect [insert physical attribute here], David’s gorgeous soul. There’s an implication there that he’s the pinnacle of perfection. More than an implication, sometimes his alleged perfection is outright asserted. I think that’s an oversimplification of him as a human being and of him as an artist. I think it takes away from the dimension of him, of the realness of him, and the complexity of him. And what’s more, I think it does him a disservice as an artist. Achieving the pinnacle of human perfection at 26? What more is there? Real art can’t come from that. And I think he has the potential to be a real artist, because of, rather than in spite of, whatever failings he doubtless has.
is fantastic.
Is David Cook, in some ways, exceptional? I think so.
Is the theory of Davidian exceptionalism an appropriate response? I don't think so.
I like his flaws.
At any rate, I'm glad you had such a swell time. I'll remember this when I'm heading to VA Beach and cursing the 95 traffic.
This recap is better than the film.
I don't even care if any of it really happened this way; this was among the best stuff I've read on DCO in a long time. This:
*from* him yes, *for* him no. Important distinction.
Cannot. Stop. Laughing.
Glad there was a pit, and glad you were in it. Thanks for sharing!
I Laughed, I Cried, I Felt as if I Were There
Thanks for the wonderful, wonderful recap!
I laughed out loud at David's antics, I felt Andy's personality for the first time, Joey disrespected the boss (again), and Neal... God, I love those two together. You gave me a peek into the friendship that binds EEB together. They "get" each other.
This is a quote from Neal's MySpace page today "i played on a platinum record. f*** yeah." Did the subject of DCTR's platinum status for retail sales come up last night? Neal for one appears to be over the moon about it - not only did he play on DCTR, he co-wrote a song with Dave on it.
As we lawyers say, the foregoing notwithstanding, ADAM. I have to tell you, and knowing my opinion on this sort of talk, that performance was beautiful. And by that I mean, from my personal experience, it was the most beautiful I have ever seen another human being in person. I don’t mean sexually attractive, or hot, or cute or whatever. It wasn’t about physicality. I tried to put it into words, and my sister helped me. She said, “You were witnessing another human being in his glory.” And yes. You were. And, Man, is that something to behold. If someone at that moment had held a gun to my head and told me not to sing along for him, with him, I would have been incapable of doing so. His glory, triumph, whatever it was, just swept you away.
You and your sister brought home to me just what performing ADAM means to Dave. Breathtaking.
Thank you for making it so real. I can't wait until they come out West.
Terrific recap
David Cook has the best fans - totally awesome recap., “You were witnessing another human being in his glory.”, what a great way to describe those moments when he is able to transcend the time and place. It's amazing to think that this is just the end of the beginning for him, as an artist and as a performer. Thanks so much.
Awesome recap!
You brought out the lurker in me! Beautiful writing style btw, and big big thanks for writing this down. Well done.
Whew!
Thanks for this magnificent review. What it tells me is that I better double up on my low-dose aspirin when I see him next month....this ol' heart my just 'plode with love!
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JackieDenver (DC: there's no remedy...)
in his glory
Thanks so much for this recap. Until reading this I haven't had the desire to attend a concert. The videos, pics, reviews, interviews....have kept me happy. I knew hearing the screaming (even though David craves it) instead of his voice would make me nuts. Now I think seeing what you saw would be totally worth it.
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he never let the worst get the best of him
In his glory
You, Dave, and this recap win! This was funny, eloquent and moving. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
Thanks a million!
I'm going through severe concert withdrawals, so recaps like this are a godsend to me. I laughed (at the Mrs. David Cook story) and nearly cried (at the description of ADAM--it will take a little longer for me to lose my sadness at being at the ONLY concert stop where that song wasn't performed), but most of all I just came away with contentment at what an amazing show this man and his glorious band put on. Thank you so much!
--
I may never meet David Cook, but his bassist loves me.
Thanks!
Yes, Andy's hair is in fact prettier than Kyle's.
Thanks for such a detailed recap. We couldn't understand the banter during the cellcast, so it's great that you brought it here for us. The whole situation with the shirt sounds hilarious! Hope we get video of that.
And Neal backbend FTW! Go Neal!
--
Rolling Out Across the Desert Word Hero #293
"If I could have a super power, I'd like the ability to...fly...so I can, you know?...soar...with...the birds."
Loved Your Recap!
"Shallow break: IMO, Andy’s hair is even prettier than Kyle’s." This just made me smile. And this "Andy responded that he would be honored to be Mrs. David Cook." I hope someone got that on video and that the camera was actually pointed at Andy when he said it (there is so little camera action on Andy and the "David and Neal" show, as virtualj calls it).
“You were witnessing another human being in his glory.” Amen, sister, Amen.
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~~~~~~~~~
Crowgirls
Totally Irrational Fan # 186,000 mps
Thank You!
What a wonderful recap. Wonderful. The things he does to us. I've always read different recaps and enjoyed them, but never commented. This one deserves a comment.
Thanks for bringing your great experience back to us.
Thank you for sharing!
What a wonderful recap! Thank you for sharing your experience and putting what I think are many of our feelings about ADAM into such beautiful words.
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~Lauren
Best Recap Yet
WOW, what a great recap! I felt like I was there with you, thank you for writing this all out for us.
Ever since I heard ADAM for the first time I have been waiting impatiently to hear it live, for the very reason you described it.
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~ Deana (formerly yiddidea)
You Found the Words
"You were witnessing another human being in his glory". That statement is what I have been feeling but couldn't get into words. I got to experience "Anodyne" at the concert in Conway AR and this is exactly what I felt. Its almost as if he has worked his entire life to have everything ready and was waiting for us to listen. I am excited about what is to come next- what a ride.
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lovethemusic
happy sigh
This was wonderful. And your qualifiers before telling the ADAM performance story just made it all the more impressive. I ate up all the details. Thank you, thank you, thank you for bringing them back for us. (Damn, I wish I could have been there with you an vj!)
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Davalanche!
TY
LOL I think this is the first time I comment on someone's recap... but I had to do it.
Your recap was fantastic. Good details, it was smart, funny, and I think it gives an idea of what was the show.
thanks for that.
Yes, and Yes Again
You summed up last night so beautifully wheeziev. Thanks for putting into words the sights and sounds of last night. It was an amazing experience and you captured it fully.
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Enlightenment delayed. Laundry piling up.
Yes!!!!
“You were witnessing another human being in his glory.” And yes. You were. And, Man, is that something to behold. If someone at that moment had held a gun to my head and told me not to sing along for him, with him, I would have been incapable of doing so. His glory, triumph, whatever it was, just swept you away.
Yes. This. What you said. Lived it in Fulton.
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Sang along in Fulton and will again in KC!
IFN 340.29 m/s
Awesome
Thanks for the stories =)
Eloquent attorneys FTW!
Best recap ever! Thanks!!
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BootStar2 a/k/a Trish Rosenthall
Nice!
Excellent recap!
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--AheadofStraight
π + e
Insert Requisite Title Here
I loved your recap. It had everything: overall vibe, details, rational commentary, squeeing, sister love, Dave love, Neal love, Neal and Dave love, a side of Andy and Joey, transcendent ADAM, venue insight. Perfect! Thank you for sharing your experience. It makes me anticipate Atlantic City all the more!
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Janus || TIF #2i || We'll all sing along...
good stuff
Mrs David Cook. God that was funny. Thank you!
Great Recap
What a great read. You had me laughing and for reasons unknown it even made me a little teary. We'll pin that on my Anodyne addiction; it seems to have my waterworks working overtime. Thank you so much for sharing what sounds like a wonderful experience!
So funny!
I laughed and laughed reading this! Especially the part about not remembering his story, even though it was important to you at the time, rotflmbo! You're such a great writer, I could see it all, and feel the joy you shared with your experience. Thank you for a great recap! Don't hesitate to add to it as you remember more, I loved it!
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~You're my inspiration as I stand alone against the world - Declaration~ TIF# ell
sounds like you had so much fun!
What a great recap of your night! I was able to "see" everything you told us about. With Neal's backbend and the guitar solo lean ........let's just say I'm glad to hear some people were able to get video. It sounds like the banter was almost as much fun as the music. I know what you mean about David doing what he's born to do. He just keeps getting better and better.
Thanks for sharing your awesome night with us!
This recap - loved it!
Sweet and wonderful recap. Thank you for helping us feel like we were there just a little bit and for sharing the most emotional parts of the show - those are always my favorite parts.
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Listening to:
David Cook is My Dopamine Rush (a little too fangirly, I know, but I just can't help myself)
...Your voice intoxicating, one song and I'm negating everything around
dcismyfav | AWildSheepChase | WordNerd #441
FTW
This is one of the best recap that I have ever read!
Thank you for sharing! Especially your thoughts on ADAM vis a vis your view re David. Very articulate nad thoughtful.
Wonderful recap
This is absolutely wonderful. You make me feel like I was there. Thanks
--
Suenee
"Whether it’s an escape or a message or a feeling —
some people see colors with music,"
This is one of the greatest recaps!
I really enjoyed reading this. I felt like I was there with you. Thank you for sharing your experience, you lucky dog.
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Irrational Fandom Φ φ