Libby's Portland AI Show Recap

Warning this is long - but I'm mouthy and can't seem to shorten it without losing my points.

Wasn't savvy enough to think about staying outside during the first half of the Portland concert which is when those who were that smart saw Taylor.

However we were front row "wrong" outside aisle for the JHR entrance but the right side for a really close look at Taylor when he reached over to touch hands with the two little kids. Ray put them on boxes right in front of us so it had to have been planned in advance - the little girl in particular did not look at all well.
My arms were too short [& I wouldn't do it anyway]and my d-i-law is only 5'2" but my son is just under 6 ft and was able to reach far enough over the "cattle chute" to make contact and got a quick smile.

Hope Taylor realizes that he does have a lot of male fans even if they aren't as visible. I can't believe that my area and the people I know are unique in that respect.

Anyway I ramble as usual. Taylor is as so many have said - drop dead handsome in person.

But he also looked drop dead exhausted. My son even noticed and shouted into my ear plug that Taylor looked like he was really sick so it was pretty obvious.

My hubby tried to get a shot of Taylor that close a couple of times but they didn't come out damn it. I tried to tell him to forget trying to focus just keep snapping but am grateful he's supportive so backed off when the eyebrows went up - lol

Wondered if all the extra stuff Taylor threw in was because he knew his voice was a little rough. Also wondered if that was why he tagged "9 to 5" - LFTC is a lot more demanding of his tenor range. I personally dislike LFTC and was quite happy to have Taylor play with it. [ sniffle - was hoping for video - whine ] And I happen to love the "growly" Taylor voice so the only time I Really Noticed how much he was struggling was on DIMYP. He did try for the glory note - his voice just literally cut out and he covered it.
As anyone who has done live theatre knows, That right there is the mark of a consummate professional - pick it up and move it along - don't drop the ball or lose the pacing.

By the way there were No Simon Cowell Types anywhere around us and we had friends that were back on the side who said the same thing. There were huge smiles all the time Taylor was on stage - even my rather staid and tiny bit stuffy hubby loved the bit we decided to call "air keyboarding" and we all laughed out loud at the "chills". The helicopter down the ramp scared the heck out of me - more than the Ace leap - but made me chuckle too just because it looked like such a fun thing to do.

The bit he did to open the door and the multiple cues to the band really impressed my son. He said Taylor owns that stage - he leads and everyone else better be on their toes and able to keep up.

Taylor was full of fun and personality and gave that Portland audience [OK I'll settle for 90% of them - allowing for some dedicated Hicks Haters] exactly what they wanted Thursday night.

We who are so into the back stories and the career expectations forget that the vast majority of the people at those AI audiences are there for one reason only - To Have Fun and be entertained - it is 21st century Vaudeville for them. Not a serious It's-About-The-Music event.

BTW my all time favorite Taylor songs are Somehow, The Fall, the Dec 05 cover of Use Me and his ODC of Texas Flood along with just about everything from the LMBO show at Angel's so I am "about the music" BUT I also thoroughly enjoyed the playful kid who was so determined to give us our money's worth Thursday night.

May do a brief bit on our "group reaction" to the other kids later but will say now we thought that up close Kellie looked under the weather too and that while we sorta liked Elliott before we are now solid fans!! Will also answer questions - cautiously - ha!

Will end with this - take it for what it's worth from an "older" fan who comes at everything from a boring business perspective and is a former middle school teacher to boot. I have been in positions most of my life where I've had to evaluate people based on circumstantial evidence and most people I've worked with seem to think I have better than average instincts so here's my point . . . .

Leaving your musical tastes aside I hope most people realize that a genuinely "nice guy" has managed to finish first and that is a rarity these days. Kinda gives me bit of hope for our "Enquirer sells more copies than all local newspapers combined" society.

Is Taylor perfect? Hell no - why do people expect their idols in any field to be without human flaws???

But my respect and admiration for how Taylor handles himself as a person and as a professional, as well as a musician, continues to grow.
Does he make me proud - damn right!!

Sorry can't wait around for the stone throwing - have a picnic to get to but you all have fun - I've developed a tough hide over the years - LOL