There and Back Again

Pondering: You are the music while the music lasts. (T.S. Eliot)

Guess where I’ve just been? Yes, I just came from another marvelous, high energy, loved-every-minute-of-it Keith Urban show at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas. (Is it any wonder, I am still awake at midnight? Im in Las Vegas - the city that never sleeps.) My bothersome cough and cold which I have been battling with since the start of this week, did not bother me - or the ones seating next to me - one bit when the show started. My voice is hoarse but not because I’m sick but cause I sang and cheered him on too much.

Anyway, suffice to say the show was again a blast. As usual, Keith was intoxicating and just a joy to watch. He truly is The Guitar Man and one of the best guitar players of our time. The new band was just like the old, talent-wise I mean, although there were moments I wished the guys were still on stage. But these were short moments because it was all about Keith. The spotlight was on him, rightfully so, and he shined. Brightfully, I might add.

BEST SEGMENT OF THE EVENING: his soulful rendering of You Will Think of Me. This is my least favorite song but everytime he sings it live, I learn to love it more and more. He followed this song with Shes Gotta Be, which is one of my favorites from the new album Be Here. It was also quite a treat to hear a live performance of it.

MOST POIGNANT MOMENT: the closing. These Are The Days touched a chord. Indeed we have to live life while we can.

SONG I WILLED HIM TO SING BUT HE DIDN’T: I Could Fly. And my wishlist for songs I’d love to hear him perform live still include Tangled Up from The Ranch CD.

Well tonight’s show was the Las Vegas stop of Mr. Urban’s CMT Tour. Incidentally, this leg of the tour culminates at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California. Yup, that’s South Bay Area for all those who dont know the way to San Jose. Of course I have tickets to that show too. That will probably be my last Keith Urban show for awhile (he’ll be touring Australia next and I really need to save up). I wouldn’t miss it for the world…

And lastly, a toast to Keith for a wonderful year and wishes for many more years of bliss and success!