The show was great, at least I thought so anyway!

Bully was neat to hear, as were a few others i never heard before (I think they were covers, he said once we should know what it was or something like, that maybe we'd recognize it, not sure which, I'm zonked!). Of course the show had some of Kasim's 'usuals', like Before She Was Gone, Don't Hold Me Back, and Sometimes Love is a Dangerous Thing (Kasim said that there were some people in the audience who have been to his shows enough that he gets worried about telling the same stories, but he was going to any way, and the Sometimes Love Story was told again tonight -- no matter how many times I hear it, I still get a laugh from it, but Kasim has an easy ability to bring a smile to one's face and a laugh coming from their lips no matter what! Anyway, the place was PACKED! And after the show K and Doug and Alex were basically mobbed, but in a good way of course.

It was a great show. We all had a lot of fun, and it was great meeting people that I have never met, Rita, Cindi, Amy, Matt, Dan, the other Amy, Frank, and Pebbles' wonderful sister Lynn. Meeting up with the usual suspects, Gina, Pebbles, Doreen, Jennifer. (hope I didnt forget anyone!)

The venue was great, a terrific place for an intimate show. I cant tell you how many people were there, but I can tell you that it was packed, and people were standing all in the back. We had stopped in prior to the show, and we met Kasim's son (he's adorable) and David and Sharon (David does Kas' website), Kasim's brother Alex, and saw the most wonderful dUg! Kasim passed out free cd's to everyone (you're awesome) which consisted of Live Music ..Bully, Sometimes Love Is A Dangerous Thing, Before She Was Gone, and Sacrifice. I think the show started around 9:45, and he was on fire from the first few notes. Kasim REALLY sounded great.

I THINK dUg joined in on Bully (sorry if I'm wrong!) and stayed thru One World. Alex played on 3 or 4 songs, (I'm sorry Alex, I can't remember!) But I do recall how beautifully they all played The One Sure Thing....I'm partial to that song, it's my fav! Kasim introduced his Mom and other brother Lance to the audience, and after posed for some pics (which I missed out on..Darn!) It was extra special that Kasim mentioned all of us by name (thanks Kas!) Like I said previously, it was a great surprise to meet the wonderful Willie Wilcox, and his wife Jauna, whom I really enjoyed spending time with! Jauna you're awesome! All in all, it was a terrific evening...I am really looking forward to seeing the show on DVD.

Thank you Kasim for you're most awesome performance, one I am sure none of us will never forget!

It was a great night and really the only way I can describe it was a Kasim LoveFest....Kasim sounded great and although he relayed a heartfelt apology for not being as prepared as he'd have liked, he had goodies for all who attended, equipment to tape the show, his voice was golden, and he was in great humor....people had travelled long distances to see him and I don't think anyone there could have asked for anything more.

His set ran I think, over 2 hours...he sang a lot of his solo stuff, did a long Utopia set including Cliche, Inspiration (both my personal faves) and a bunch of Beatle songs which to me seem to really suit his voice, or is it the other way around?

It was so great to put faces to names...Rita, the youthful Amy, Rebecca, Lou (someone who's loved Todd and Kas and Utopia as long as me), Frank and so nice to see Gina and my Pebs again.

You never find a performer who appreciates his fans and gives so much and gets so much love in return...he is a lucky man....he was even able to turn my daughter into a believer.....that in itself ...a miracle..

All in all I give it a 10........

As far as the show, I guess I view Kasim's shows with a slightly different eye. Some would say a more judgmental view based solely on their own perceptions of past history. While Kasim's vocals were right on and certainly worthy of any and all praise, I felt something was lacking. I can't pinpoint it, but I just felt his performance was a bit...flat. Now don't all jump on me at once - I am only one person and certainly no judge of what is right or wrong in live performance. But I've seen Kasim enough times to know when something just doesn't feel right.

I felt a lot of pressure, a lot of needless insecurity. Kasim has been performing most of this music for a good majority of his life before thousands of people who sometimes don't even know who he is or his background. So why the tension when performing before friends and family who would love you even if you sang five verses of Old MacDonald?

His performance wasn't bad, it just wasn't as "on" as others I've seen. There were quite a few great, stellar moments to the show as well. As I said, Kasim's vocals were crystal clear and as alluring as ever. Doug and Alex provided the perfect compliment, giving their selections a bit more backbone, but not taking away from the focus of Kasim and his music. Which was really what the night was all about.

My sister Lynn, Rita, and I all met up and headed off to the airport. The start of our "Trek to see Kasim". I was filled with the feeling of how lucky I am. I realize so many people wanted to be there and couldn't - and I was able to. I have to also say that seeing all my friends who I have met along this musical journey....and some I was about to meet - also added to the excitement and anticipation. Bad weather in Chicago the night before scared me a little - I could care less if I go snowed in on the other end of this trip - but I HAD to get there!!! We did. Once arriving at the hotel on Staten Island - we had dinner and met up with Rebecca and Lou. Had some laughs (which is impossible not to in the presence of Lou) and he even got the owner of the restaurant to comp us some drinks....now THAT is cool!

Saturday we did some sight seeing....Ground Zero (very emotional - but those feeling needed to come to the surface for me) and then on to the Empire State Building. The ferry from Staten Island was pretty cool and got a decent view of Statue of Liberty along the way. But the main event was eminent. We had to get back to ready ourselves for the big show!

Taking a cab to the Dock Side.....we decided we'd have dinner at a nice little place right next door. Lou had one thing in mind and said "come on guys"......he was headed nextdoor to the venue. We kinda just walked in-I was a little hesitant as it was only 6pm and the doors open at 8pm. But we followed Lou. Went on down the stairs and sure enough there was Kasim, Doug and Alex - preparing for the gig - sound check, etc. We said our hellos and hugs and exchanged some gifts. Stayed a short while - then headed over for dinner. After we ate - I noticed someone at the bar with a red shirt - with "Kasim" on the back. I said to everyone - "Who is that?".....no one knew. So the bold - adventurous girl I am - I walked right over and said....(my grand ole pick up line!) Do I know you? I'm Janet. He said - yes you do know me! Oh geez - I was in trouble now! Well it turned out to be Farnk - with a new hair-do....so no one recognized him from behind. (Imagine THAT - with all the mooning he's done).

Well we headed off to wait for the doors to open (it was 7:50). Got in - and found our table and sat and chatted. As the venue filled - I got really excited. I mean it got PACKED. Now it's not a huge place - but you couldn't get another body in there! When Kasim took the stage - I felt like I was in his home. I mean....not the "place" it was kinda cold in there - dark - ya know BAR type of place. But the atmosphere - the feeling - the emotion in the room - said this is where my family and friends are.....home. He looked to me like he was totally at ease and his warm smile filled the room - as it always does. His voice was perfect....and he sang with all his soul. The set list will be posted....but I just know that several songs brought me to tears. I have a connection to the music I cannot explain. It has lead me to meet so many wonderful people.

THE MUSIC......Doug and Alex added so very much to this show. Doug played flawlessly as usual - and he compliments Kasim so well - it is so cool to watch these 2 in action. I have such an appreciation of their talent - I wish I could express it to them. Doug your hard work and practicing sure paid off. Alex played bass and his addition to this show made for a much fuller sound coming at us. It was so much fun to see him play - really getting into the music and you could see he really enjoyed playing next to his brother. This rarity on stage - and the beautiful music coming from this trio - was a great pleasure to witness.

Kasim filled the Dock Side - if there was any room left! - with beautiful singing - he voice was right on tonight - and although he was tinkering with the tuning of his guitar (and it wouldn't be a Kasim show without that) - I thought it all sounded perfect. On a side note - whenever I hear a guitar being tuned - a think of Kasim. It is just an instant connection and thought I have.....immediately. Before Kasim sang his last song - he acknowledged us fans that had traveled from far to see him....naming us - in front of everyone!! It touched my heart - and I really was taken aback by this. If he could only know what I difference he has made to each one of us - he would know why we come so far to support his music. We are getting there - appreciating the people that are around you - and letting them know - it does enrich your life.

So after the show we got to chat with Alex - Doug and Kasim. Pictures - signing - some laughs. Willie Wilcox was also present - so us Utopia fans got to meet one of our heros as well.

Fantastic show - all the great memories and smiles to carry with us. When we are old and can't travel anymore - we will have these happy memories - this music to fill our hearts and minds - and the SMILES!

Don't get me wrong as I REALLY enjoyed this gig but sadly I didn't think it was one of Kasim's best. I think it was basically down to lack of rehearsal and it seemed to me that Kasim was far more confident on the songs that he played with Doug Kennedy and Alex Sulton that he had rehearsed than the solo ones which he didn't seem to have rehearsed so much. I really don't understand why though as this gig was put back two weeks too so he had longer to rehearse. Admittedly he was touring with Meat Loaf in UK but they were only playing concerts every other day and he'd booked this gig 3 or 4 months earlier. Hopefully the DVD will be edited so that it doesn't come across that way.

To me it made it worse when he said at one point that he'd thought about cancelling the gig and gave the impression that he was only playing it because people were driving long distances for the show. At that point I really felt that this was the last thing Kasim wanted to be doing that evening!

On the plus side, Kasim's voice was at its best! When Kasim's voice is on form (which it is more than most singers - especially after listening to Meat Loaf at so many concerts recently!) then he's just amazing to hear on stage....his voice alone seems to make up for there only being two or three guitars on stage!

We got there about half an hour before Kasim was due on stage and it was already standing room only! By the time Kasim walked on stage, even the bar area was getting crowded. In fact for the first 3 songs or so, I couldn't clearly see Kasim but could only hear him! The sound also in the bar was dreadful (which is unusual when Alex is involved in the sound). Eventually we went and stood on the steps that led into the venue so we could see above everybody who was seated - the sound was far better there too, other than the air conditioning which kept switching itself on and off and was very loud!

The other main thing I'll remember about tonight was that Kasim's patter was really funny (again he was very "on" tonight with that). Although something like telling us about how they wrote Sometimes Love Is A Dangerous Thing I've heard 20 times before, it was just as funny as ever. He also told us about his own personal history with Dock Street and about the room (now demolished) where he used to do drugs - probably the largest laugh of the evening was him telling us that his mother was the only person who would lend him $50 "for a pint of milk"!

After seeing Kasim alone on stage at the Meat Loaf gigs (Randy used to play on Bully off-stage) it was nice to see Doug Kennedy back on stage with him again. Another welcome addition to Kasim's shows was seeing his brother Alex playing on stage with him for a few songs too - I heard later that that was the first time that they had played together on stage so I hope it's not the last. Kasim even had his own guitar tech with him tonight - Charlie Milton from the Meat Loaf tour!

I think the biggest surprise of the evening for me was that Kasim said on stage that The One Sure Thing was one of his favourite songs on Quid Pro Quo! Ever since I heard the live version in Columbus in 2001, I've just loved that song and I was amazed to hear that Kasim likes it too as he never once sang it in his 57 opening sets with Meat Loaf. Why???

Giving everybody a CD of 4 live tracks from the Meat Loaf tour was such a lovely gesture I thought! (If you listen very carefully you can hear me clapping at the end of each track!) I know other artists sometimes do that but then they wallop up the price of admission in order to recoup some of that but Kasim hadn't.

As I said at the beginning, I didn't think it was one of Kasim's best solo gigs by far but I'm still glad that I went.

I just hope that he doesn't leave it 14 months before his next solo gig!!!

Other comments posted on messageboards about this gig include:
"Like Rebecca said, Kasim's show was fantastic! As much as I love and wear out my cds, there's nothing like Kasim live for me. It was great to have Doug and Alex there to complete the sound...A wonderful show!...Thank you, Kasim!"

"The performance had it all for me: my QPQ favs, TR and Utopia tunes, and some very cool covers like Bully and Across the Universe, which were great, but I was really thrilled to hear I Dig a Pony....It was an excellent surprise! (Now I know why Doug had Let It Be on his cd player all of last week!) Last night, I was reminded just how great Kasim's versions of the Beatles' IDAP and ATU were when I heard Sting, Vince Gill, and Dave Matthews do their Beatle tribute on The Grammys."

"Well you ladies said it all, BUT you all forgot about the sound, it was the first time I saw a kas solo where he had his own sound guy and I gotta tell you the sound ROCKED!!!! Kas you BETTER start working on that DVD cause we want it like now!!! "

"Kasim, I loved your show! I feel really good when you're up there singing. Your vocals on I Dig a Pony and Alone were SO amazing that I didn't want the songs to end! I also love watching you play guitar-- always hoping that if I watch hard enough, some of it will rub off on me. Doug and Alex play with you.....their instrumentals really added to the performance. Also, I listened to the live-in-the-UK CD today, and I thought it was really cool! It was a great present....thank you!"

Many thanks to Jennifer Salyer and Kris Awgul for the photos on this page

Kasim with his mother and two brothers