Villa Montalvo ~ Saratoga, California ~ July 8, 2001

Hummm, well, compared to last night (Konocti Harbor), I guess no two nights are ever alike for Mr. Dan.

Villa Montalvo is beautiful, but there seemed to be a real problem with the sound and even the lighting.  The venue is set in the trees with graduated seating, small, intimate, but poor Dan was struggling with the venue sound guys, whom didn't seem to know what they were doing. At one point, Dan was testing the mic and talking up to the sound booth ( after struggling through a song), and the guys just shrugged their shoulders. 

Dan said " don't just do this (shrugging his shoulders), help me!!"

After back and forth comments with "Fish"; Dan's sound guy that always travels with him (I never new his name), Fish finally walked over to Dan to change his mic and check the plugs.  Dan usually doesn't acknowledge Fish at any of the shows...he seemed a bit embarrassed cause Dan was getting a bit testy ( can't blame him though). 

Finally, another attempt was made at the piano, the mic cut out again, Dan stood up, said he was going to take a break, and he would return when this was worked out. My humble opinion, this happens, however a few folks around me were complaining about how much they paid for their tickets and where was he going? These are the folks who are the big donators at these venues, get the best seats and don't even know who most of the performers are..  sorry, it is a bit frustrating... ...needless to say, Dan returned, and finished, however, not as smoothly as it could have been.  He did the same set list, however, I don't remember "Go Down Easy." It could have been when I was preoccupied with the sound problem :).

It really does make a difference for the performer if the audience is with them.  Laughing, keeping up with the comments, you have a better opportunity of connecting with the performer and also, the performer is more generous with himself during the few hours that you are together.  Dan was more personal at Konocti Harbor than at Saratoga. 

One other thing I noticed is that it took him a long time to come on stage, both shows. The flute type music he always plays, played for a long time. Just wondering. Also, there were a lot of people taking pictures at Konocti Harbor, especially the table that was right in front of Dan.  The table where Dan gave the woman his towel...can we see those pictures??

Thanks!

BT