Royal Albert Hall

I can breathe a sigh of reliefe. Most of the work I've done starting in August stretched all the way through to two nights ago. I'm refering to endless rehearsing going over old material, learing new songs, auditioning a replacement for someone we didn't want to replace, trying to find yet another band member who would play an instrument that hadn't been utilized in this band before ... it was madness all the way around. The rehearsals were done, auditions ended. It was now, make it or break it.
Last night was the culmination of that work and at the same time, the start of it too.
We played to a packed house at the Royal Albert Hall here in London and I can honestly say I don't ever remember enjoying a show as much. Everyone tried their hardest and did their best to make it as perfect a show as any live show could be and we managed to rise to the occasion.
I'm very proud of the Band and I thought Aspen did a wonderful job. It's no secret that she had some serious shoes to fill and I think she proved that she can do it. Marion Raven was a star as well.
In a very ironic way, the work has just begun. Now all we can do is turn to the next show, the next venue, the next TV or radio performance and do what we did at Albert Hall.
I wanted to save the best for last ... Meat sang his ass off last night. I've never heard him better.
So ... on to NYC.
There aren't any guarantees life, let alone in my chosen profession so the thought of Bat III becoming a success on the level of it's two predecessors is ify at best. We'll do our best to make it so.

Statue of Victoria just across the street from Royal Albert Hall 

You can't tell but they made me wear a Hard Hat on stage. I was threatened with expulsion from the venue if I didn't have it on 

What blog would be compleat without a picture of Randy posing? 

Paul Crook as ... well ... Paul Crook 

A very excited Pre-show Marion Raven 

Laura was one of Three Cellists we had on stage with us. 

Mark putting his game face on 

Randy and some new guy named Dave mugging it up 

Here we see Aspen in her Cheerleader outfit going into her dressing room. She doesn't look too happy that I took a picture. 

Paul, Brain May and Randy after the show. 

What can I say? Do you blame me for the Thumbs Up sign?