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Love Of The Common Man Buffalo Grass Kind Hearted Woman Determination Lucky Guy Can We Still Be Friends? Espresso Love Is The Answer It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference Lost Horizon Flaw Soul Brother I'm So Proud / Ooo Baby Baby / La La Means I Love You / I Want You Hawking I Saw The Light Courage Drive Couldn't I Just Tell You?
Hello It's Me Norfolk, CT was a small town which only had one main road going through it. Infinity Hall was on that road and was easy to spot, especially with the coach parked outside. The hall itself was a lovely modern room with a balcony. My seat was apparently in the orchestra section (I was in the third row) but it didn’t seem clear where the orchestra section ended and the other areas started. As we went in we were told that we could only take photos for the first 3 songs. For obvious reasons that evening, I decided not to take any and after the three songs were completed, security there was very hot on stopping people by using laser pens on the people. They claimed it was at Todd's request. The gig started about ten minutes late and lasted just under two hours. Todd said straight away that he had a slight summer cold (he cited the air conditioning as it was either set at 90 or 40 degrees and usually 40). This prompted a running joke through the set about which end of how towel he was using for blowing his nose and which for wiping his face! Thankfully it didn’t seem to slow him down too much or affect his voice too noticeably. Another running joke was an abortive start to Hello It’s Me which I didn’t really get during the gig. Todd would count the band in before a few songs and they would play the first note (deliberately not quite in time) and then go into a different song. (The did that at New Hope the night before too.) Todd started his patter about releasing albums way after he had toured them before Buffalo Grass instead of before Kind Hearted Woman and he blamed the lack of drugs he was having at the moment. Todd and Kasim sat for quite a large part of the set when they were playing the more mellow songs. After Todd get up, Kasim remained seated for a couple more songs. For some reason Kasim did not look too happy on stage. He looked down a lot and didn’t smile too much, especially towards the end of the set. Several people were talking about it as we left the venue. There were some sound problems especially at the beginning and one guy cited that as a reason (saying that Kasim took his ear pieces out but he did that in New Hope too). However when Todd introduced the band as they came back for the encore, Kasim easily received the largest applause.
The highlight for me was towards the end of Love Is The Answer where all the audience was clapping along, Todd was singing some ad lib parts and the band weren’t playing but were just singing the chorus repeatedly. That was really magical, especially as their voices all blend together so well.
Comments by fans posted to various messageboards and mailing lists include:
"TR's first rap begins as he explains he is suffering from a summer cold. It's surprising, as his voice is in good form."
"Todd mentioned they have been having trouble counting in the next song. The band teases as they play the false start to Hello It's Me from S/A but instead go right into Love Is The Answer."
"Couldn't I Just Tell You includes a subdued TR / Kasim kick schtick and ends the set."
"Great show. Highly recommended."
Other websites:
John Heslin has written a detailed review of this gig here.
Videos
The band:
The venue (taken from the KasimInfo.com Blog that day):
Click here to view the venue website. The address of the venue is 20 Greenwoods Road West, Norfolk, CT 06058. This is another gig which is sold out but tickets varied in price from $55 to $75. The gig starts at 8pm.
Kasim Sulton last played at this venue on Tuesday 30th June 2009 which was during the Todd Rundgren Arena Tour.
Infinity Hall is described on the venue's website as "Built in 1883 in picturesque Norfolk in northwest Connecticut, Infinity Hall is an intimate music, dining and entertainment destination beyond compare. Newly renovated, the historic building features its original proscenium stage and wood, as well as many other notable details. Whether it’s dinner and a show, high quality casual dining or simply drinks and music you’re seeking, Infinity Music Hall & Bistro — just 34 miles from Hartford, 20 miles from Great Barrington, MA and 50 miles from Poughkeepsie, NY. The music hall seats 300, ensuring each and every seat provides front row entertainment. Newly renovated, the hall hosts more than 200 music and entertainment shows by quality national and regional artists annually."
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