I arrived at my designated destination, the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, WA for a howling good time but that was soon changed.
I saw the lot motley photographers including me of course and they all had big lenses rented from the local photo outlet- I began to worry.
Oh, no! I didn’t get the word that we were having to shot from the mix which is way in the back of this theatre so my hopes of getting anything spectacular was flushed down the drain since the longest lens I brought with me was a 200mm f//2.8.
Anyhow, I along with a couple of others who didn’t bring long enough lenses would just have to deal with it.
In the mean time we (the photogs) gathered around talking about recent past assignments and upcoming events that we were having to shot while we waiting for the appropriated time to enter the venue. (they were strict at this show)
Once inside we were directed to the “box” where seven of us would try our best to squeeze into a 3’x4′ space which just didn’t work, so three of us split to the other side of the mix.
Like I mentioned earlier, having only a 200mm lens really didn’t cut it for me. Nonetheless, I did what I could and got in the game.
It was dark. When Young walked out onto the stage with only a few lights lighting his way the place roared to life and you could feel the energy all around you, and the anticipation of his words.
He waved, walked to one side of the stage grabbed a guitar, and walked back to the center where he sat for most of the night.
This was a one-man show tonight, no frills, no thrills, no pyrotechnics or fancy laser beams jetting out into the audience. It was just Young, an organ, couple of pianos, and several electric and acoustic guitars- oh, and his harmonica!
The place went wild with the first couple of notes plucked on his guitar and quickly fell silence listening to his voice.
He’s never been a perfect singer but neither was Bob
Dylan, but there’s something about the tone in their voices and the stories that they sing that make you think.
I had said that I was looking to have a howling good time at this show and didn’t, but what I experienced was something far greater than just a good time- I relived memories of days and years past.
Young finds a way in everyone of us that takes you on a journey of emotions, and from there you add your own visuals so you really don’t care that there’s nothing on stage but a singer (story teller) and a few items.
He doesn’t say much to the audience during the show, but i guess he doesn’t hav
e to because his lyrics tell it like it is.