From: DMacmanus@aol.com


Hello everyone!

I haven't written in a while but last night in Saratoga compelled me to write
once again. The last time we spoke I had just gotten back from my California
Holiday! Anyway, last night in Saratoga, for those who weren't there, was a
bit of a disappointment. Not in EC and the boys, but in the the venue and the
majority of the crowd. My evaluation of the evening is that the show started
out great, with the potential to get better, but due to bad echoes and little
crowd enthusiasm, it got worse and almost ended in tragedy. I don't want to
get into the set list because I don't want to spoil it for anyone who's just
about to see him. 
Anyway, after about an hour and a half, Elvis said goodnight and the house
lights actually came up! I was horrified because I'd been following the
emotions on stage during that time and I definitely noticed that the boys
were somewhat angry with the lack of crowd enthusiasm. The crowd was
downright lame. I don't know exactly why this was but I personally was upset
with the acoustics of the arena. Not during the slower songs, mind you, but
mostly with the more upbeat stuff. Actually, the hall was perfect for slow
tempo songs because the acoustics lended a lot of reverb to Elvis' voice,
which helped(not that he needs it or anything). It mainly was during the more
upbeat songs that all the instruments including Elvis' voice got a bit lost.
I personally hope the next time he's there it's with the Brodsky's again.
That's what that place is made for, at least from Section 3. 
Anyway, after he said goodnight and the lights came on, the crowd seemed to
have gotten the hint that EC was angry and immediately started getting very
loud and crazy, which luckily brought Elvis back out to give the audience a
kind of vengeful ending that I will never forget. Those that were there know,
the ending was absolutely incredible, despite "Pump". Elvis was squealing out
the most incredible inflections and re-hamonizing more than he has live in a
long time. It really seemed on-purpose especially when in between songs he
was throwing his arms up in the air like " I don't know what was wrong with
them" to the band whilst the crowd made 110 times more noise than they'd made
in the 1st half of the evening.
Let me also say that not only was the venue and audience somewhat lame but so
was the backstage guest relations. Stale pretzels, picnic style tables and
chairs, and no open bar. Big change from Cali.!
Of course this reflects on the venue, not in the band in any way, shape or
form, they definitely did their job that night.
Oh, also, to settle things here...
The CTD's were definitely not EC's idea. He'd never even heard of them and
isn't very happy with them being his opening act.
They just came at the right price. If you go to the show and listen to the
song after the CTD's leave the stage you'll hear EC's personal stab at the
CTD's, he's been doing it for the last 3 weeks.
Anyway, until the next time it was nice to fill all you fans in to what I've
been learning, I hope to write back soon and help in any way I can!
Take Care!
DMacmanus.aol.com