Aug 04 2005 @ Le Nouveau Casino Paris, FR

Just came home from a few days Paris, so now it's time to write down my thoughts on the show.. I'll do it telegraph style, just some short observations:

-the Johns were on a terrace outside before the show with Curtiss. He's been learning fast and wrote out the trumpet parts himself. Unfortunately, the bus (with his trumpet in it) couldn't stay near the hotel and was gone for a few days, so he couldn't practice. I didn't notice though. His solo on Servitude was in key this time, but, in spite of the concert, not with the same intensity and shaking this time.

-even though the show had the same setlist as in Amsterdam, the energy was a lot higher. Wether it was the venue that was smaller, keeping the people closer together, or the band that had more energy after 2 days off (which I doubt) or the parisians giving more energy (quite a few flying fish, apart from Angelo), I don't know. The end result was that the show was even better than Amsterdam, which is saying something.

-brought a Fishbone Virgin. During the show she already threatened me should I ever neglect to inform her of Fishbone coming round again. She kind of took to it...

-It's not NASWAM, it's Fishbone. I kind of wondered for a while, but it is still a collective, making decisions with one man, one vote. From what I get from the bandmembers, it's not a 2 man dictatorship. Listening to the music they make, continue to make, it's still this mix of whatever comes along and what they like. I don't care (well, I do, but..) that some of the founding members have gone.. the replacements keep the Fishbone vibe, I don't feel it's a Fishbone cover band. (actually, it feels more like Fishbone to me now than the Spacy/Walt version that preceded it, but I digress)

-dre is getting more into it, it seems. At one point he walked into the audience, danced a bit and climbed back on stage, jumping behind his keys and playing on.

-this one was for the fanboy in me: Norwood gave me a shout-out. When the band came back on stage for the encore, Norwood said "Arno's in the house!" It was weird.. I don't recall him doing that very often. Quite cool though, I'm proud!

-I gave one of the crew a sip of my water, the tour-manager (I forget her name) wasn't too pleased with that. I can imagine. Regardless, they are running a tight ship.

-Michael "Clip" Payne, from P-Funk and Drugs (his own band) was there. He'd hung out with the band during their time off in Paris, where he hangs out regularly.

-got to talk for quite a while with John McKnight, mostly about life the universe and everything. Great guy, with an amazing musical resume.

that about covers it, I think.. a shame they won't come anywhere near me this tour anymore. Regardless, I've seen 2 very different shows, although they both had the same setlist, and both were great!

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It's high time I get this review done before my memories be split in Oblivion

While arriving at the Nouveau Casino, I had met Arno already on the way down.

The two Johns were indeed relaxing at a terrace so It felt weird shaking their hands and saluting both of them by the same "Hi, John!"( myself being another third "John")

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Incredible show, it was my first fishbone show, and as a newbie, I must say I will definitely see them again!

Only one deception : they didn't play "Bonin in the Boneyard" which is for me the best fishbone song ever (i was ready to see norwood slapping on this masterpiece)

Thank you fishbone, will buy your albums in order to help you getting millionaires...

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