All-Mattering Review of March 23 Philly - Discuss

At the Denver show, his speech said that he knew things weren't getting any easier out there, and that all decisions are made 1 of 2 ways. The 1st way is love, and the 2nd is fear. And whenever you're looking at #2, think twice. I bet the speech in Philly was about the same.

Here's a video

We got the same speech both nights in Montreal, too.

We got the speech in Fargo too but it was MUCH longer than this one. (to the point IMO of people starting to tune out) I wish I could find a recording of it to hear at again because all I remember is thinking he just needed to shup up and sing but it seems others thought it was wonderful. Maybe I just didn't feel like hearing him preach that night.

After the second show (which was chills inducing) I am going to have to come down on the side of Richie having a problem.

I can think of several shows now where he has messed up the simplest lyric or riff. Think of the Grammy where he screwed up the beginning to WSYCGH. He should be able to play that in his sleep. Even so - I figured - OK he screwed up but so what. Everybody does now and again.

I too watched the early youtube videos and was blown away by Homebound Train. But last night he screwed up in the same place on Something for the pain both nights - and on night two the beginning chords were so bad as to be almost embarrassing. They weren't even in the right key.

And both nights he looked massively uncomfortable in his role of frontman when he did his songs. Certainly Homebound Train was better than LYHOM from night 1 but clearly (to me anyway) something was off.

Maybe it's nothing more than he is different sober than drunk onstage - I don't really know. I have no explanation or gossip to pass along and certainly no agenda. It's only an observation that he is "off"

I have argued with Marc since the fall about this - telling him that he is seeing things that are not there, etc. After last night I have to agree with him.

I should add that my husband is a bit more lenient and he says it could simply be due to getting older.

this is really sad to read .... I have to say from the recordings on u tube he didnt look right ... I thought maybe he was ill or on prescribed medication which could effect his performance.... it just seems to be going on for a while a now.. at the end of the day I would rather have a Richie who isnt perfect as he used to be up there, than no Richie....

Dawn

Having watched the Philly vids, there's a marked difference in his entire performance, stage presence...everything. I also noticed him chewing constantly throughout the show which is a sign that he's struggling with his throat and nasal passages (thinking back to Japanese shows in the past where he's been sick).

Not overly worried, Dr. RichieW is putting it down to the common cold.

I had fourth row seats in the pit the first night and on several occasions we locked eyes. One moment he seemed annoyed then the next moment he was smiling. There were moments when I thought he was acting different too. I never seem to hear when mistakes are made, except at the beginning of WSYCGH on the Grammys and during his solo when it came to lyrics. I loved HT and LYHOM all the same.

On night two I had upper level seats and most if not everybody didn't get the new music and just sat there, then staring at me because I was more than enthusiastic. I had a blast at both shows. Whatever Jon is doing vocally he needs to keep doing it.

You know - that's the most reassuring post I have seen. My daughter was with us in Philly and spring allergies really hit her hard. It's south of us and things were blooming there that are not yet blooming here.

So yeah - Richie might have been suffering from spring allergies too. I know that Jon suffers from the same thing - though he seemed fine last night. It's a simple explanation I never thought of.

Nothing would make me happier than that simple explanation. I'm REALLY not looking for Richie to be having more problems. I enjoy his guitar (and his presence) far too much.

Is there a video of this supposedly horrendous Homebound Train around?

OK Marc, I've come out of hibernation and I will confess that I am a bit concerned about Richie. I haven't wanted to admit it during our recent discussions thinking if I ignored it there would be no problem. I enjoy his voice and guitar so much, I really get somewhat lost in them, but he is off. As Kathleen mentioned I did offer the excuse that maybe age is not treating him as favorably as it could, but let's hope the allergy theory or some other "fixable" malady is the culprit.