Liverpool Street Station - 26 June 2007

[Stuart H]

Fiona was very pleased to see us there supporting her. It is her birthday today and we sung "Happy Birthday" to her.

Stuart

[Stuart H]

At the end of the show Caite had her picture taken with Fiona before she went off for a birthday meal with Ian.

Stuart

[postscript]

Superb pictures Stuart. Some of the best I've ever seen of Fiona. Also, it is a rare occasion when we have highlighted Fiona and that is great to balance our support of Hayley. She was and still is a major part of Hayley's image, so it is good to see a tribute to her fellow Kiwi. Well done for speed of presentation.

This, of course, was Fiona's gig but may I suggest to our 'staff photographers' that they might now bear Ian in mind for some future exposure.
Peter S.

[gordon]

Hi Stuart,

I am most impressed with the photos and the speed of posting. Great to catch up with you again and to see Fiona on her birthday. Our little gathering certainly give her good support for this concert.

Gordon

[Gene]

stuey said:

At the end of the show Caite had her picture taken with Fiona before she went off for a birthday meal with Ian.
Stuart

Everywhere I look, Caite is popping up!
Hey young lady, you're really getting around!

[roger]

postscript said:

This, of course, was Fiona's gig but may I suggest to our 'staff photographers' that they might now bear Ian in mind for some future exposure.
Peter S.

Hi Peter,

There was a good reason why Ian escaped the gaze of the camera today. He wasn't there!

Nevertheless, it was a great occasion which we all thoroughly enjoyed. As ever, it was good to meet up with members of the team. Thanks for the coffee, Richard!

Roger

[grant]

Not been home long and have just gone through 90 posts to catch up.

Stuart, you pictures of Fiona are amazing - haven't even taken the flash card out of my camera yet. Mainly because my train home was so overcrowded (floods up here causing absolute mayhem!) the wine flowed freely!

It felt great to support Fiona, we pay so much attention to Hayley that I've felt guilty about NOT spending time after a concert with her. Tonight we redressed the balance and Fiona really appreciated it. In fact, I felt that she 'played' to us and, as has already been said, spent the entire interval with us.

I have to say though, our offering of "Happy Birthday" would have benefitted with some input from Hayley!!

Afterwards, Fiona showed her appreciation by giving us all a big hug. Tonight we were there for her and she made it special. Thank you Fiona.

Best wishes
Grant

[Joe]

Hi all,

It's wonderful to show Fiona Pears that HWI were there for her performance. Brilliant photos, Stuart !

Grant, hope the train wasn't too packed...I saw some of the TV coverage of the flooding in the north-east of England.

Nice to see Caite and Fiona's pic. Caite, congrats on your 500th post

Joe

[Caitlin]

Hi everyone!

As I was thinking about what to write Stuart posted pictures which saves me the trouble of describing the teal ( ) top Fiona is wearing. But if anyone would like me to describe it anyway I will, just let me know.

Okay, the lovely concert! I know jazz isn't always an easy genre to love. It's almost one of those you either love or hate. The 'gypsy jazz,' as described by Fiona and the double bass player (I never did catch his name), that was played tonight was reminiscent of music played in the film 'Chocolat' (Johnny Depp, Juliette Binoche - 2000). There were two guitars, a double bass and violin. Each song followed the ‘usual’ jazz format of all together, solos, together again, solos and together again for a big finish. The music was really quite wonderful though, at times, it was quite hard to hear the two guitars and the double bass. It seemed to me that the guitars were bordering on classical and jazz. Granted, I’ve never seen a jazz group with two acoustic guitars before so that was something new and different. The bass was a typical jazz bass with plucking the running bass line, but on occasion he had a few solo bits and pieces. Fiona’s violin tied in very well with the group and added some extra spunk.

It’s not easy to describe this kind of music, but I am going to do my best to make an analogy.
Think of the bass player as the gingerbread in a gingerbread house, the guitarists as the frosting that holds it together, and the violin as the sweets that go on top to decorate. The bass player gave the deep solid tones, providing the rhythm that the invisible drums could not. The guitarists added the layering of sweetness, melodies, harmonies and rhythm all in one (sometimes more than one as one guitarist broke two strings during the concert!). The violin created the sweet soaring melodies and countermelodies, the sugar and spice. As for the music itself? Think lots of rhythm interwoven with melodies, harmonies all in a jazzy, bluesy, folky sort of way. (How’s that for a clear description…ay.)

Fiona was absolutely wonderful. I had only seen her perform once before this (in Cardiff), but she was backing for Hayley. It was nice to be able to see her shine because she is incredibly talented. If anyone should get the chance to see her live - do! You won't regret it.

Just in case I’ve completely confused you all why don’t you just enjoy the few pictures I took and my sincere apologies if I have confused you. If I come up with a better way to describe the music I will certainly post it.





I call this one 'At Work'

(L to R Grant, Gordon, Stuart)

<3 Caite

ps. Joe, thank you for the congratulations! And Richard, thank you for the coffee.

[Joe]

HI Caite

Thanks for your "flavorful" description of this performance.Love your photos too.

I've also seen Fiona perform at one of Hayley's concerts...Fiona mentioned onstage that she discovered spiced pumpkin cappuchino!

Joe

[Stephany]

Hi all,
Thanks for the great reports & pictures!! Very good team work once again. You made HWI proud!

and...........this is for Fiona, better late than never!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FIONA!!
May all your best wishes come true.
I look forward to seeing you performing live at the Shepherds Bush Empire.



Very best wishes from France,
Stephany

[mariannek]

Hi Caite,
Well, how did you know I love ginger bread houses...but I didn't know there was a gingerbread man (?) inside!! It was Haensel and Gretel and the wicked witch when I grew up !!
You satisfied my sweet tooth with your report...well done !!
I quite like some jazz...do you know Diana Krall and her music??
Have yet to venture into her genre.
We were first introduced to Fiona in CHCH last January...the audience loved her then !!
Thank you for the fotos as well !
Love, Marianne

[mariannek]

Hi Stuart,
Great captures of Fiona...she sure loves her violin !!
What a Happy Birthday occasion for her !
Thank you so much !
Love, Marianne

[Steve H]

Hi All,

It sounds like you all had a great time with Fiona, and it sure looks although she appreciated the support! Great photo's Stu, well done! and sorry I could not get down to London for this one,

It's nice to see Gordon Roger Caite Richard and Grant too! Perhaps I will meet up with some of you in Yorkshire this Friday for the the Grassington Festival?

Well done Guys i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Steve H

[gordon]

Hi Caite,

Enjoyed reading your report and seeing the photos.That was a sneaky shot you took of Grant , Stuart and myself but we were lined up well for the photo.

It was nice meeting you for the first time.

Gordon