Somebody Loves You Yellow Cab Where Is My Soul Before She Was Gone Jane Doe Drive Sacrifice The One Sure Thing Libertine I Don't Mind At All Minutes Slipping Past There Goes My Inspiration Don't Hold Me Back Across the Universe
Click here for some great photos of this gig by Jennifer Salyer.
Review by Jennifer Salyer:
There was almost no empty seat in the house, but you wouldn’t have known it because the rather large crowd were enraptured, for the most part, by Kasim’s performance. There were a few occasional yells in the crowd, for requests for a song or two, as well as cheers for Kasim and Kasim’s main guitarist, Doug Kennedy, but overall the audience listened to the set intently and without rude chatter and commotion.
Fans had come from as far as Washington DC and Buffalo, New York, to see this show, and while introducing The One Sure Thing, Kasim talked about the couple from DC that loved the song so much, they made it their wedding song.
Kasim opened the show with, I believe, Somebody Loves You, and was accompanied by Doug Kennedy, formerly of the band Isle of Q, and Dennis DelGaudio, whom Kasim worked with in the Billy Joel musical Movin’ Out on Broadway. Dennis not only played guitar but also sang backup vocals. His harmonies with Kasim, on the various songs, added a whole new element to the show. Doug is usually positioned somewhat behind Kasim (and onstage at the Bitter End, the first show Kasim did on this tour, he was even sat in a chair that positioned him much much lower then Kasim as well), but the guitar work Doug does onstage helps him to stand out even without him trying to.
Having seen the opening tour performance at The Bitter End, I must say that this show was so much better. Kasim’s vocals alone seemed stronger; maybe because he wasn’t quite as distracted by bar noise, or the fact that the sound system at The Tin Angel decided to cooperate, but he belted out each note better then the last and seemed to relay the emotions of the songs so much better as well. The guitar harmonies from the three performers blended melodically and sounded beautifully together. Kasim even broke out a few stories and jokes between songs, and seemed much more at ease then that first performance night. Doug, again, had a few guitar solos and several audience members were there to cheer him on. Dennis will hopefully make more appearances with Kasim, as his guitar playing and vocals were a wonderful addition to the set. I’m sure with each show, it will only get better. Don’t miss this tour!
Review by Marc Israel:
So up the long flight of steps and we then immediately got the flavor of this venue. Modern mural walls encased a thin and dark, but smartly lit, room. The bar was street side while the back of the room is where the raised stage is located and also where we quickly were told we’d be sitting. Tentative smiles quickly broadened with excitement….
While the pre-show dinner at Serrano (downstairs) had potential, the dinner table banter easily surpassed the food expectations. Knowing that there was an entirely different act after our show that would need us cleared out, I found myself glancing down at my wrist watch often to ensure we didn’t miss a lick! So back upstairs we ventured, passed the others who had been waiting, to our table up front and then within minutes Kasim came out at 7:50. (The show was billed at 7:30, but the sound check was delayed due to the late arrival of George, the soundman, pushing everything back a few minutes)
Below is what I believe was the set list - with a few of my comments
Somebody Loves You
Yellow Cab
Where Is My Soul
Before She Was Gone
Jane Doe
The One Sure Thing
Sacrifice
Minutes Slipping Past
Drive
I Don’t Mind At All
Libertine
There Goes My Inspiration
Don’t Hold Me Back
Across The Universe
The crowd roared its’ appreciation more and more as the show came to a close and to listen and see to everyones thrill at expressing their affection for the music and the evening was pretty cool to see. All signings and photo ops were clearly available this evening and nobody walked away without a smile, despite the sore backsides from those hard chairs!
Review by Doreen McCafferty:
The venue was quiet and less frenetic than the Bitter End lending a perfect atmosphere to introduce his new song "Minutes Slipping Past". Hearing this song performed for the first time was special and I think it is the most touching song he has ever written.
If you haven't seen Kasim solo you are missing out. You will love the man and his music from start to finish. There are several more gigs scheduled over the next few months and I hope to be at most of them. I'd love to see you ALL there.
Review by Amanda Ayre (who organises the Soundcheck Package):
Kasim played to a full crowd at the Tin Angel, but unlike the previous gig at The Bitter End in NYC the audience was very attentive, they were enthralled with his performance. You could also tell that he was really enjoying himself. I even caught him smiling during the middle of a song because he was so enjoying himself in that moment. It was great to see. His outfit also looked great.
Kasim opened the show with "Somebody Love You." Both these songs sounded clear and crisp. Kasim has a voice that carries itself so well. Doug was on stage for the first song and Dennis joined him for "Somebody Loves You." Dennis not only added a lot with his stellar guitar playing, but he also sang some great harmonies that added even more to the songs and Kasim’s voice.
Kasim then moved onto "Before She Was Gone" and "Where Is My Soul," two songs from his solo album. Both of these were outstanding, and "Where Is My Soul" really stood out. He had so much emotion and I especially loved the part where he spoke "where is my soul" it was captivating. I also loved the song "Jane Doe" by Nik Kershaw who Kasim said was from the UK I believe. This song had great guitar parts and once again a great harmony added by Dennis. Doug also has his moment in the sun with his solo during "Libertine" and also did Elliot Easton’s part in "Drive" very well as well. That guy is great, and we always love to see him on stage.
After seeing both of Kasim’s performances so far this one was notably better and he seemed so much more confident. I am looking forward to seeing the show again. Also the Interactive Sound Check was a ton of fun and would definitely be recommended to anyone thinking of attending. In fact besides being unique, it was as much as the show itself.
Review by Donna Goat:
Thank goodness we took a taxi into the city from our hotel, not ever being there, arrived very excited. Met Amanda, works for TNC and Kasim, and Keith. They were so kind and a pleasure to meet before the show, handed me my "gift" from Kasim before the show, autographed CD to me, PLUS the best part, a single, "Minutes Slipping Past", which was performed IMO, quite perfect!!
Ventured upstairs, got a few bar stool seats, comfortable, glad we didnt pick those chairs, few feet from stage!! COMPLETELY enjoyed the show, Kasim's voice just gets you entranced, Doug and Dennis's back up was well approved by all. Esp. loved Kasim's intimate interaction with the crowd, with family stories and even giving his brother the 3rd degree, all in fun of course!!
Met him afterwards, he knew who we were from previous emails of our past benefit, which made us feel special and giddy, this was our first meeting with him, ok!!!! And I thought the wedding story with all the AWWWHHHHSS from the crowd was a hoot.
Enjoyed the city afterwards we've never been to, back to hotel safely via taxi, ride home in bright sunshine was a great welcome compared to the rain on the way there. We only listened to the 2 CD's 4 times, my sister Pam crying in a good way over happiness of the whole experience everytime she heard "Remember", not his tune, but made her "Remember". Discussed every song with glee over and over again from the CD's and the show!!
Well worth the trip, loved Philly, loved the intimate venue of The Tin Angel and esp loved the music and people playing it!!! Would repeat in a heartbeat. Thanx to the friendly bar stool neighbors we chatted with before and after the show!! Thanx Kasim from the bottom of our hearts!!!!!
Donna and Pam!! PEACE!!!!
Pre-show page on KasimInfo.com:
Many thanks to Marc Israel and Jennifer Salyer for the photos on this page - more will be added soon! All Rights Reserved |