Let’s talk some Chris Isaak shall we?
Earlier in the year I was doing our regular donation payments when it came time to pay our PBS donation. When I went to their website, I found that one of their subscriber gifts for donation was 2 tickets and a Meet and Greet with Chris Isaak at his Beacon Theater show later in the year. It was a no brainer – we were SO there. The Beacon is my favorite venue in New York – we were basically guaranteed an awesome night. I’ve met him a few times. After his show (my first Chris Isaak concert) in 1996, I met him at Gaslight records in 1998 and after his show in Melbourne in 2006. So this would be my fourth Chris meeting!
Unfortunately, Hurricane Sandy changed our plans. The show was rescheduled. My friend Honore was supposed to come down from Massachusetts for the show but with the Amtrak service being still sketchy, Bill stepped in and we decided to make it a date night.
We were told that for the meet and greet, our photo with Chris would be taken by the PBS photographer. So I was envisioning a gorgeous quality photo and was very happy to have someone professional take the photo. We had to line up outside and then in the theater itself, while Chris finished up the Live Nation Meet and Greet. We were told that basically we got to have a photo and that was it – so it wasn’t a usual Chris Isaak meet and greet protocol but it was fine nevertheless.
When we were lining up, Bill said he wasn’t interested in a photo, instead he would stand to the side and take a photo of me instead and hold my coat. Before I knew it, it was my turn to step up. I walked towards Chris when he turned around and said “WOW – that is such a BEAUTIFUL dress!” I was floored and went bright red and said “Thank you SO much!” while giggling. Then we had to turn around to get our photo taken. The ‘photographer’ was standing in one of the rows. We turned around and it was basically ‘Say Cheese!’ and that was it. I turned around to wish them well for the show when Chris asked where I was from. I said “Brooklyn!” to which he looked at me strangely until I added “… via Melbourne!” He was all excited and noted how they’d be doing a fair bit of work in Australia next year. Bill then wandered over and told Chris how great he looked (he really did look amazing for his age!) when Chris told Bill “All clean living man!!” and that was that. I said goodbye to Chris and Kenney and headed for the door.
We wandered across the road to Big Nick’s Burger and Pizza Joint. If you want a dive place, this is it. My white pizza was really nice, Bill’s burger was delish and it was great to be able to calm down after all of the excitement.
We were then able to wander back across Broadway to get in our fab fab fab (as in 5th row, center) seats. The Beacon is the best – seats are comfy, sound is awesome and the place is just gorgeous.
The whole show was really good – he loves the Beacon and you can tell he feels at home there! Bill is also converted – he had a great time… which was so good to know seeing as he hates concerts. Chris and the guys are so professional and really and truly, they never play a bad show That is why I see them nearly every year! Check out some of my photos –
When we got home I was so excited to see the photos Bill took of us from afar. Hmm this is what I got –
and… WHAT ON EARTH AM I DOING?!
Seriously – two of the most blah photos ever. I was sad but hopeful for the other shots to come.
In the end I had to wait FOUR WHOLE DAYS for PBS to send me the ‘professional’ photo. Oh my gosh. When it arrived it was like it was taken on a 2006 Blackberry 2 megapixel camera. The photo is SO BAD I found myself laughing hysterically. For added ridiculous value, it has a huge date and time stamp across the bottom of the WRONG DATE. Here it is –
So that was our date night with Chris and the guys. Just looking at the photos makes me laugh – we’ll see them again next year without hesitation and Bill has promised we’ll get the proper meet and greet where we can have a good chat with the guys (because seriously, they can do pre-concert chit chat well) and take a DECENT photo!
By the way, here was the setlist for the show. SO very, very good!
American Boy
Pretty Girls
Blue Hotel
We’ve Got Tomorrow
I Want Your Love
San Franciso Days
I’m Not Waiting
Somebody’s Crying
Wicked Game
Best I Ever Had
Dancin’
Notice the Ring
Baby Did A Bad, Bad Thing
Doin’ the Best I Can
Ring of Fire
Dixie Fried
Can’t Help Falling in Love
It’s Now or Never
Live It Up
Miss Pearl
Great Balls Of Fire
Encore:
Super magic
Oh, Pretty Woman
Big Wide Wonderful
Worked It Out Wrong