I faced 2 really heavy storms while driving to Venice, and then the biggest one hit just before the show, with streets flooded and people running for cover... I was really afraid the show would be canceled in such a weather.
And then, half an hour before the start, the rain stopped and the wind cleared the clouds, setting up an amazing scenery in one of the most beautiful squares on Earth.
("Thank you for braving the rain", Leonard opened!
)And it seems the band enjoyed it too!
I remembered them from last year's Italian gig in Lucca, where they sounded impeccable but were maybe a little "cold", or "shy" if you prefer...
Yesterday it seemed almost a different band, perfectly road-tested and at the top of its form.
The playing was perfect as usual, but the feeling was definitely warmer and the sound was more vigorous. Every musician seemed to participate with more strength and personality than last year's, while at the same time melting in a perfect ensemble, in which the total was more than just the sum of the single parts!
Dino soldo was great, but I was most impressed at the contribution of Rafael Gayol and Neil Larsen (I really had goosebumps on his playing on Hallelujah!), and Javier Mas was a true giant, his bandurria almost stealing the scene from Leonard's voice.
For me, yesterday sounded even better than the "Live in London" record... hard to say I admit, but it was a night that will be difficult to forget.
it was a pleasure and honour to us.