Hi all!
I started early on Satuday morning at 6 a.m. and took the train to Basel. I was lucky that the train went there directly in less than 5 hours and I didn't have to change it. In Basel the summer was back with a lot of sunshine and 20°C.
I took the bus to my hotel and was lucky that I was already able to check in although I arrived too early. Every guest in Basel receives a "Mobility Ticket" at the reception of the hotel. With this ticket it's possible to use public transport (bus / tram) for free and it's valid for the whole stay. Back in town I looked for the venue. It was located on the area of the Basel Fair which is quite large. But GoogleMaps discribed the position well so that I found it quickly. The two lorries and the tour bus around the corner showed as well that I was at the correct hall.
I waited a little but it was way too early to expect the arrival of the artists. So I went back into town for a little sight-seeing. I've been a few times to Switzerland but I've never been to Basel before. The city centre is quite compact and everything can be done by walking. Later in the afternoon I went back to the venue to wait a little at the stage door. Elizabeth wrote in her blog that she likes doing signings but I didn't know if she would do that also in Basel so I decided to wait for her arrival from 3.30 p.m. on like we always wait for Hayley. I asked a staff member if she's already there to avoid waiting in vane and he answered that she might possibly still be in the hotel. So everything looked good. People arrived or passed me by but there was no sign of Elizabeth for about an hour. I wasn't sure if I should wait much longer, maybe she already went in through the front door. When I thought of leaving I saw 3 persons coming around the corner. I was too far away to recognise anybody so I went towards them and there she was.
When I said her name she turned around. I wanted to ask her to sign my CD but had problems to pull it out of the small pocket of my jacket. She looked a bit puzzled like not knowing what to expect until she recognised the CD cover. She smiled and signed it. We chatted for a short moment and she told me that a signing was planned after the concert had ended. The two staff members around her wanted her to go inside the venue and so I let them go. Happy that I've already met her I went back to town to have something to eat and then to my hotel to get changed. I was disappointed to realise that smoking in restaurants and public places is still allowed in Switzerland. And the smokers make an extensive use of this doubtful priviledge.
Back at the venue when the doors opened I went upstairs and saw a table where CDs of Elizabeth and Paul were sold. And there it was, Elizabeth's new album "Home".
I bought my copy and went happy to my seat. The venue itself was maybe twice the size of Cadogan Hall. The seats where quite uncomfortable but that was quickly forgotten when the concert began. First the orchestra played a few pieces. I didn't recognise everything but "Time To Say Good-Bye" was one of the pieces. The orchestra that accompanied Paul was the orchestra of "Neue Philharmonie Frankfurt". The first singer on stage was Paul. He began with a song by Puccini which name I forgot and continued with "La Prima Volta" and "Cavatina". I'm not that familiar with Paul's songs so I hope what I write is not completely wrong. Between the songs he talked about how he discovered classical music. He's a funny guy and made many jokes during his explanations. After a few songs Paul introduced Elizabeth and the time has come for me to listen to her live for the first time.
She began with a piece I didn't know. A look at my new CD identified this song as "How Great Thou Art (Whakaaria Mai)", a great song with a refrain in Maori language. It appeared later that she sang exclusively songs from her new album. She continued with "Don't Dream It's Over" by Crowded House. Before Elizabeth started with song number three she asked us to tell her honestly what we think of the next one because she's written it by herself. It was "Home" and I was completely blown away. I haven't heard such a fantastic song for a long time!
The audience must have thought the same and gave her a rapturous applause.
After that "The Prayer" followed as a duett with Paul Potts. Elizabeth's voice has developed a lot since her first album and it's a pure pleasure listening to her!
That was Elizabeth's part one with more to come in part two. Paul sang a few more pieces before he left us for the interval. During the interval I walked around but there wasn't much to see. The curtain was closed and there wasn't any songlist to ask for which wasn't used anymore.
Part two started with the "Neue Philharmonie Frankfurt" orchestra to play a few instrumental pieces before Paul came back on stage. He sang a few songs which I didn't get completely. Including the duett of "The Prayer" he sang three songs in English, one in German and the rest in Italian. There was "Carruso" and a very familiar "Un Giorno Per Noi".
Paul then welcomed Elizabeth back on stage for another duett called "Sei Con Me". After that he left the stage for Elizabeth to sing two more songs. She sang "Over The Rainbow / I'm Always Chasing Rainbows" and ended her part of the concert with a very emotional "Tarakihi" for which she received another rapturous applause.
Between the songs she explained that she couldn't do any sight-seeing in Basel because she's been feeling bad for two days. She went to the doctor and is taking some medicine now. I hope she feels better by now and could relax a little before the UK-part of the tour starts this week. Paul came back on stage for some more pieces. The ones I remember are "Tristesse" and "Time To Say Good-Bye" in the end to say "good-bye" actually. He received some well-deserved standing ovations and came back to sing "Nessun Dorma" as an encore and final song for the night.
It didn't take very long after the end of the concert until Elizabeth and Paul appeared at the signing desk. The queue of waiting fans was "only" about 10 metres long. That wasn't too much and both of them shared a lot of time with the waiting fans. I was quite in the front of the queue and was able to chat to Elizabeth. She recognised me from the stage door and was happy that I liked the concert. I also had a few words with Paul who is a very friendly and down-to-earth person.
A man from Switzerland then asked me if I could take a photo of him, his wife, Elizabeth and Paul. So we got in the queue again and asked for photos after everybody had their turn with the artists. Elizabeth and Paul were happy to "help out" and so a few photos were taken to be posted later.
That was the end of a fantastic evening. It was too late for a bus to my hotel so I took a taxi. The next morning I enjoyed an extensive breakfast and even baked beans were offered. Yum!
Feeling quite stuffed I packed my bag and made my way back to the station. On the way back home the train didn't go directly so I had to change it in Cologne. Each train was on time so I arrived home about 6 hours later.
Before I booked for this concert I really wasn't sure if it's worth to travel so far for artists I hardly know. But it was my only chance to see Elizabeth during her tour and I was blown away by her performance. I was hugely impressed with both of them, Elizabeth and Paul. I can only recommend: Do go to the show! It's more than worth it!
A huge thank you again to Elizabeth!!!
She was there for her fans despite being ill. She tried to please everyone and she's a wonderful person. When she comes back to Europe for another tour I will be there to see her if possible.
Best wishes,
Thomas
Really can't believe it until I'm there at the venue. 
It will be a sad day for Elizabeth today as her famous uncle Sir Howard Morrison died in his sleep today. Sir Howard was probably New Zealand's most famous entertainer. He is also a friend of Dame Malvina Major. I pass my condolences to Elizabeth and the rest of the family.
I waited a little but it was way too early to expect the arrival of the artists. So I went back into town for a little sight-seeing. I've been a few times to Switzerland but I've never been to Basel before. The city centre is quite compact and everything can be done by walking. Later in the afternoon I went back to the venue to wait a little at the stage door. Elizabeth wrote in her blog that she likes doing signings but I didn't know if she would do that also in Basel so I decided to wait for her arrival from 3.30 p.m. on like we always wait for Hayley. I asked a staff member if she's already there to avoid waiting in vane and he answered that she might possibly still be in the hotel. So everything looked good. People arrived or passed me by but there was no sign of Elizabeth for about an hour. I wasn't sure if I should wait much longer, maybe she already went in through the front door. When I thought of leaving I saw 3 persons coming around the corner. I was too far away to recognise anybody so I went towards them and there she was. 
The audience must have thought the same and gave her a rapturous applause. 
Paul then welcomed Elizabeth back on stage for another duett called "Sei Con Me". After that he left the stage for Elizabeth to sing two more songs. She sang "Over The Rainbow / I'm Always Chasing Rainbows" and ended her part of the concert with a very emotional "Tarakihi" for which she received another rapturous applause. 
