Gilbert in Amsterdam: A Very Special Day! Hi Joe, The concert in Amsterdam Carré was JUST GREAT!! It was almost full house and more than 1.500 fans really enjoyed themselves. And you could see that also Gilbert Himself enjoyed the show. I think it was even better than the shows I visited in 1997 in Rotterdam and IJmuiden. It certainly was better than in The Hague in 1992, where Gilbert was only accompanied by Rick Parker, a guitarist and a drummer. Now there was this wonderfull band of 11 people that gave his songs much more depth. Almost comparable with the concert I visited in May 1973 in Rotterdam, where he was accompanied by the orchestra of Johnny Spence! In 1992 the show was based on Singer Sowing Machine, now it was on A Scruff At Heart; and - to be honest - I like A Scruff far more than SSM. In fact I think that A Scruff is one of the best GOS has ever made. Not only are there beautiful lyrics, but the melodies of 'Don't Let It Get To You', 'Force of Habit', 'I Know What I Would Do' are real Top of the Pops. It's a pity that 'only' some 1.500 people experienced this singer/songwriter, because I think that there are far more people who'd appreciate his songs if they only heard them. But - on the other hand - I was surprised that it was almost full house, because - after 11 years of rather quietness - I thought it was quite risky to plan a show in Royal Theatre Carré, because that's one of the top venues of The Netherlands with a lot of seats. The live shows are very special, with a great variety of songs. 'Happiness is me and you' and 'Miss My Love Today' are 'small' songs, while 'Stick In The Mud' and 'Forever Wondering' are far more heavy, but both featuring Ray as a Top artist and great musicians to back him up. It is also special to listen to both Golden Oldies and Unknown Oldies, like 'Come On Home' (which he once wrote for The Tremeloes). And although I do not in special like 'Sometimes' on Sounds Of The Loop, live it is just per-fect! Probably you've seen some vids on YouTube already. And it was also very special to meet The Man Himself after the show. Our patience was worth it and Gilbert's patience is admirable. (The photo of Rob and his brother Ed is #60 in the Fans Gallery at www.gilbertosullivan.net.) And how about the sound-check I was invited to and the diner with 11 other Dutch fans from all over the country, we arranged ourselves for before the show... You can imagine that it was a very special day. If you cán you must try to visit Dublin (which also brings a wonderful atmosphere) or The Royal Albert Hall in London later this year, although there really seem to be plans for a show in America! Gilbert really is in one of his fine periods. For the moment I wish you all the best! From a Dutch friend, Rob van der Vaart