Sunday, July 17th 2016

The Hollywood Bowl

[Below is the text I wrote mostly during the concert with the accompanying song list. I may have slightly different perceptions of the overall concert now, but I though I would preserve the in-the-moment feel. Hope you enjoy it - it was an amazing concert - RH] 
A 7pm start time in perfect southern California weather, the Bowl was packed with the expected 30-50 year old demographic, and the stage was set. So 15 minutes later, Peter Gabriel came out, then Sting, and the crowd roared as the familiar repeating 'buh-bohm' rhythm part of the first song of the evening began: Rhythm of the Heat, from the Security album. 

I had never seen this performed live (though I do own a few early PG concert videos) and the energy and excitement built as Peter's voice sailed over the deep drumming the propels the song. He sounded amazing and I knew this a concert I was going to love. Even my sweetie was entranced and caught up in the excitement, though she was not as familiar with this song as I was. Security was the second album that formed the theme to my high school years ('Melt' or PG 3, was the first.) And when the drumming's pace increased, and the music began to crescendo to its climax, I was taken away to my high school years and the drama that life seemed to hold back them. It was exhilarating.

As the song ended, and the last beat was still reverberating throughout the Bowl, Sting came on and launched in to his upbeat song from the Ten Summoner's Tales album (probably my second favorite of his, track for track), "If I Ever Lose My Faith". This is a track where I actually learned the bass part to, so I was strumming along and just enjoying the feel of the music. Sting was in great form: great voice and solid playing.

Both artists were in top form this evening, which only bade well for the rest of the evening.

As each song changed hands and the music continued to flow, I recalled when I purchased each of their albums (vinyl back in the day) and listened to them, taped them so I could listen when walking to and from school, then eventually on CD so I could carry the tunes with me in my car. These were the artists and songs that I grew up with and I am certain I was not the only one in the audience.

To say that attending this concert was a treat is a dramatic understatement. It was also special because I was there with my sweetie who also grew up with these songs and it was a special moment to share.

Below, I have listed the rest of the songs, some with comments, others with photos that I recorded while the concert was going on. This was almost the ultimate dream concert. Since I also attended the Police reunion concert, the only band I need to see now is Genesis. One can only hope.

Intro w PG and Sting
United by milk…(Sting's father delivered milk, PG drank milk)
Very impromptu, fun, yoga reference: the Tantric Twins




Next Songs: 
PG+Sting: No Self Control
Sting: Invisible Sun

PG+Sting: Games Without Frontiers 








Sting: Shock the Monkey
  Rocked it up
PG only: Secret World

Sting: Driven to Tears, Opened with ripping guitar riff by Dominic Miller
  Solo by violinist Peter Tikal  (sp)

Sting, referenced recent violence, implored for empathy & solidarity…musical intro to Fragile w PG
  Lyric: "Nothing comes from violence and nothing ever could"   Solo phrase continued by cello

PG only: Red Rain
   Nice to see Tony Levin with his funky fingers rocking it!


Sting: spoke about his feelings on Brexit ….it was perplexing…comments were appropriate and oddly prescient … violin into to Selling England by the Pound, then segue to Message in a Bottle. Got people on their feet.

PG: Don't Give Up.
Featuring Debbie Robson  (sp)

Next Sting: Song intro by drummer Vinnie Caleuta….into drum roll….then into Mercury Falling Background singer nailed howling

 PG: Big Time with cacophony of red and green flashing lights…like 3d colors, transitioning to contrasting primary colors.
 Sting on Bass 
Next was PG+Sting: Englishman in NY…

Next: PG + Sting: Solsbury Hill

Right into …
Sting: Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic.
   Everyone stood up, chorus of eeyooo

PG: If You Love Someone, Set Them Free
   Reworked, bluesy groove, creepily sung by Peter.
Sting: Roxanne
  …into jazz style with David Sancious solo … segue into Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone … back into last chorus.
PG spoke about about strange invitations, one about leadership group, met mother and a child, asked about entering politics, re: MP Jo Cox.
Intro to new song: Give In To Love (Love Can Heal)

Sting followed with Desert  Rose










PG: In Your Eyes
  Sting with Backup Singers, in choreography

After a very brief wait, the band members came back on stage and went right into ...Sting: Every Breath You Take

Then followed with Peter's Sledgehammer, with Sting getting in to the act.

...and just like that, it was over. This was an amazing concert by two of my all-time favorite musicians and signers. Both bands were on top form and it was a joy being there with others who shared my love of these songs and performers.

The only sadness is that I could not capture all of the little moments that occurred on stage between these two. it was truly a once in a lifetime experience.

Bravos to them both, and thank you!

By the QMX Booth at the San Diego Comic Con exhibit floor, my brother and I had a chance encounter with Dr. Darryl Hwang. Dr. Hwang was carrying with him several large black canvas bags but once we started talking with him, we realized it was because he was promoting this amazing product, ComRad: The Art of Dr. Matt Skalski. 

These Star Wars-inspired images feature x-ray versions of popular icons. Dr. Hwang  had with him three x-ray images, based on Darth Vader, Boba Fett, and classic Stormtrooper helmets.  I had the chance to talk with Dr. Hwang a little more on what these were and what inspired these striking and amazing images:

Dr. Hwang's colleague, Dr. Skalski, had come up with a prototype x-ray image of a Stormtrooper for the 100th anniversary of the Radiological Society of North America. Dr. Hwang recognized the unique opportunity and suggested they create more images and see if there was any interest by fans. They produced a few sets and brought them to Fanime earlier in 2016 but was met by limited interest. However, he understood that that was not the best market for these art images and Dr. Hwang brought them to this year's San Diego Comic Con to attract a better market.

For my brother and I, at least, he was right. We purchased a set of the small, trading card sized images each, though Dr. Hwang also had larger images about the size of 8x10s and then full traditional x-ray sized images. These creations would be a great gift idea for medical doctors or fans of the franchise, or even those who are interested in a unique momento. The images below are based on the trading card sized images projected by a white background app on my cell phone.

For the future, they hope to set up a booth at Comic Con, or other genre convention, if there is enough interest in the designs. Other designs are also being considered including a possible Iron Man inspired image.

So, if you don't see them at local conventions, customers can reach them at their etsy site: www.etsy.com/shop/MSkalskiArt You won't be disappointed.