People see things in a different way so I thought it might be interesting to take a look at how some of you enjoyed Loreena's live performances and other experiences. Many of these have been taken from Old Ways postings.  If you have any others please let me know.  

Hey all:

I noticed people talking about concerts they've attended. Well,
the only one I attended was a small benefit concert in Stratford in 1996
for a local museum. It was held at the local Armories club and we sat in
plastic chairs. I don't know how many people were there, but it wasn't a
huge hall really. It was hot and I'd decided to where a sweater. It was
June but the nights had been somewhat cool. Well this night, the 26th, was
balmy and sweet with the scents of Lilacs. I don't know why I remember
that, but I just do.

Well, before the show, (my sister took me and two of my friends,
and she had called ahead to get directions,) some of Loreena's staff helped
us get organized. Three of us were blind, and my sister couldn't manage us
all very easily, because she couldn't park right close to the building. So,
some of the Quinlan Road people helped us get to where we had to be. They
asked if we'd like to see the harp. I was so giddy (I was 17 at the time,)
that all I could do was smile and just lay a finger on the frame of the
harp. I didn't dare pluck a string, lest I send it spiraling out of tune.
(I didn't know much about harps then.) I also didn't want to get
fingerprints on the wood, so I barely touched it. :)

Anyway, well, we all got seated and Loreena came on-stage. There
were candles, my sister said, and I think there was a really neat ambiance
because of the candles. Loreena was wearing one of those black velvet
numbers she has often worn, and I don't know how she did it, because it was
so hot in there! Man! Well, the first strains of music began. It was that
song about the Lambs. "Bushes And Briars" or something? I forget. Anyway,
it was a simple folk tune, but man! The whole room went still when she
started into it! I remember it had a really haunting tune, and I think that
and Loreena's voice and stage-presence did it for the audience!

Well, the concert went on and it was every bit as magical as I'd
prayed it would be. I was scared that Loreena was one of those artists who
sounded great on her albums but whose live shows left something to be
desired. This of course was not the case! Oh man it was wonderful! The most
wonderful thing though was after, when we went to meet her backstage. I've
talked about that before, and I think you can find it in the archives
somewhere. There was an interesting moment though, where one of my friends
said how good she'd thought the concert was, and Loreena said something
like: "I wish it had been better," or something. That wasn't it, but it was
something like that. Well, being the giddy teenaged fool that I was, I
said: "Well, if that wasn't great, I shudder to think what would be!" Oh
yes, I was in rare form that night! Oh well, she was nice and we fell to
talking of odds and sods, and before I knew it, we had to go, but I think
it was the best five-ten minutes of my concert-going life when I stood
talking to her.

That silence that everyone talks about is an interesting thing.
I've been on both sides of it, and I really feel that it has to do with the
audience picking up a vibe that the musician sends out. I mean, I've
noticed that if I'm really nervous and playing/singing for people, the
silence doesn't happen. Also, I have to be nervous and quite conscious of
the audience out there. When I am, that silence-thing doesn't happen.
However, there's this place I go to sometimes, this "zone" I guess. It's
almost a zen thing, when it's just me and the music. I know the audience is
there, but they're part of the scenery. I mean, they're part of it all, you
know? When you can know the audience is there and then include them in the
music in your mind, you tend to relax I think, and that's when the magic
happens. That's how I look at it at least. Some days are better than others
for that, but I mean, I might do a song and count a hundred little silly
mistakes in it, only to have someone afterwards come up to me and say: "You
brought tears to my eyes with that song" or something. It's so interesting,
and that's one of the reasons I love performing so much.

Ok, I guess that's all I wanted to say.

Sara
www.moundmusic.com 

I was at the concert at Massey Hall, and it was fantastic. While the
music was playing, about 2,800 people were perfectly quiet most of
the time expect for a few cat calls, which made Loreena and Caroline
smile. Most people were excited about being there, yet quiet and
listening close, as they didn't want to miss a note, and the standing
ovations came after the songs. It was a fantastic concert, and I wish
I had a video of it, or could re-live being there. The "Live In Paris
And Toronto" CD set, is a great representation of the music, but
lacks the story telling, and the warmth of actually being there, and
hearing Loreena speak. She speaks very softly, and when she spoke,
everybody listens. I'm not sure who was controlling the sound system,
but they had all the knobs and buttons tweaked just right !!!!!!

DJ Wayne

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Hi OWLers,

Reading about concert experiences leads me to remember the 2 concerts I was
privileged to attend, one in Zurich and one in Milan ('98). I hauled a friend
(who'd never heard of Loreena) to the Zurich concert, and he was literally
speechless after the first couple songs. I drove with a group of friends in a
minivan, over the Simplon Pass to Milan; we left early in the afternoon,
wandered around Milan and the Duomo (amazing), had a nice "real" Italian supper
and then went to the concert. It was amazing, there were people sitting in the
aisles, and so on...the stage was packed with musicians, and as others have
said before, there was this religious silence after most of the songs; everyone
was so attentive to what was happening onstage...the drive home, in the wee
hours, was marked by a number of discussions and made fans for life (I was one
long before anyone else around here, though!!)

Of course we didn't know it, but the Milan concert was one of the last on the
'98 tour, before Loreena's life changed so dramatically. Having lived a similar
experience, I was broken-hearted for her, and admire, more than I can ever say,
her courage and her love of life, inspiring her and others to stand up and make
their lives count, for the ones who are lost...

Spring blessings to you all,

Chris, in Switzerland
(Chris Lathion)

I flew from Texas to San Fran to catch her show, and it
was worth every effort.
I arrived at the venue early, which was up in the Nob Hill area. Of course,
there were the group of folks outside yelling anti-pagan speeches. When I
walked by the tour bus, which was parked in front, I couldn't help but notice
that a window was open... and you can clearly see Austin Powers playing on the
TV!
After one song finished, within the silence you can hear two girls from the
back yell "You're an ANGEL, Loreena!!"...after a pause, she softly said
"hmmm.....you've never worked for me"...Lots of laughter during that retort. She
asked that people not clap to the beat of the song, as it confuses her. She
even asked if people could please not take pictures during the show. Then,
later on that night, she said, "If you have a camera, fire away!". She stood
and posed (some poses were goofy!!) for a few moments so all can take their
pics, then the concert continued....
Yes, it's unfortunate that the Live CD set didn't include the dialogue, that
was a large part of the concert experience. She explained the meaning behind
her band's nickname 'The Idling Porsches', the histories and meanings behind
certain songs, experiences while traveling, and my favorite, about the Tibetan
warriors.
Good show, awaiting another.
CDC

Goofy, as in her poses...hand tossing hair, then she posed with one hand on
head, one on hip, both hands up in the air in a 'Y'....goofy. Come to think
of it, when the lights dimmed, the band came out and started playing....then the
lights slowly rose to a comfortable level...when Loreena came on stage....she
didn't walk..........she skipped! Cute.
CDC

Tracie, regarding Loreena's music.....

I went to see Loreena's concert in Toronto, not knowing what to
expect, and thru-out the entire concert, the audience was treated
with the utmost respect which was returned with one standing ovation
after the next. The people at the concert were all very well dressed,
in very conservative type clothing. It was almost like the same crowd
you'd see at any church service. Mostly people over thirty-five, but
still many younger people as well.

dj wayne (Jan 2002)

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Sara Hillis   
Tue Dec 3, 2002
Loreena's Degree

I attended Laurier yesterday as I said I would. It was wonderful
to hear Loreena speak, even though I had to sit on hard bleacher seats and
such. Well, that was ok. It was strange to attend another graduation as a
spectator. The last one I attended was when I was actually graduating. Ah
well, life moves in circles I guess, and this was one of mine.

Well, Loreena spoke brilliantly as always. She seemed poised and
confident and her speech was drawn from personal experience. What I mean is
that she spoke about the importance of community spirit and a sort of
small-town help-each-other-out work ethic, but they weren't empty clichés.
She really knew what she was talking about, having lived in Morden of course.

It was so wonderful to hear her speak, and she began with a
wonderful Irish expression: "It's a long road that knows no turning." That
basically means that life's boring if it's all straight and narrow. Then,
of course, she threw in some humor and said: "It's a wrong toad that knows
no learning"! I think I'll remember that always! It's the sort of thing
that Dan (may his rest be sweet) would have said. It made me smile and
think of him. :)

There was another great thing she said. She was talking about life
not always working out as you planned, and how it sometimes takes you by
the scruff of the neck and makes you go in different directions than those
you may have wanted to go in. Well, she was referring to her music, and how
it "chose her" when she had planned to become a veterinarian, and of course
to Ron's sudden death and those of his friends, and likely to other
unexpected happenings that are the hallmark of this our human existence.
Well, she said in relation to not always getting what you want: "Sometimes,
not getting what you want brings to closer to what you are." Isn't that
cool? I mean, it's true and we've all thought it at some point I'm sure,
but the way it was worded by her in that speech was just really wonderful.

Well anyway, she's got her degree now, and she seemed happy to
receive it. That's good. I'm about to write to Q R with a general note of
congratulations. I was sitting up in those stands yesterday feeling really
proud of her. I wasn't so much proud of the piece of paper she received as
I was of the values she has lived by and tried to honour in the best way
she knows how. Great, great speech!!!

Sara

I've just returned from Loreena's concert at the Alhambra in Granada - 
flew 
out from Liverpool on Friday morning, went to the concert in the 
evening and 
flew back the following morning

Absolutely fantastic concert in a superb setting - open air in the 
grounds 
of the Alhambra.  Loreena was accompanied by 12 excellent musicians 
playing 
a wide range of instruments.  At times all of them were playing 
together 
with great enthusiasm, particularly impressive was the interpretation 
of 
Marco Polo.  A lot of thought had obviously gone into the play list 
with 
ballads being mixed with the higher tempo compositions.  She played 
four 
songs from her new album which all sounded superb - any Loreena fan 
will not 
be disappointed by the new album if they represent the new tracks.

Can't wait for the next appearance - UK or Ireland would make the 
travelling 
easier - but would travel almost anywhere to see another concert of 
such 
quality.

regards

Jerry P

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