Love your post Woodstock! We think a lot alike!!I call him my mid-life crisis crush..

I've been thinking about what phase 2 really is...it is when you have been inspired by his music to do the things you've always dreamed you would and then actually doing them. It's all the new friends you made who share in your joy of his music. It is the new lease on life you have which you were hoping and dreaming would come to you.

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Originally posted by woodstock69:

Anyway, I have my own take on the phases: Phase 1 is falling in love with both the artist and his music (in whichever order...). Phase 2 is asking myself "why does he have this effect on me?" (No question it's a combo of his soulful voice, heartfelt lyrics and a natural gift for FEELING and creating music. And I'm sure there's more.) Then phase 3 is "why doesn't he have the same effect on everyone else?" How can you listen to him and not be completely swept away??? So, that's where I am now. I don't understand why most of my friends don't get it. They just shake their heads and laugh. So yes, it's great to have this secret little corner where I can sound like a high school teeny-bopper and know you guys understand. Thanks!

I completely agree with this!

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Originally posted by Greenstarlight:

quote:

Originally posted by woodstock69:

Anyway, I have my own take on the phases: Phase 1 is falling in love with both the artist and his music (in whichever order...). Phase 2 is asking myself "why does he have this effect on me?" (No question it's a combo of his soulful voice, heartfelt lyrics and a natural gift for FEELING and creating music. And I'm sure there's more.) Then phase 3 is "why doesn't he have the same effect on everyone else?" How can you listen to him and not be completely swept away??? So, that's where I am now. I don't understand why most of my friends don't get it. They just shake their heads and laugh. So yes, it's great to have this secret little corner where I can sound like a high school teeny-bopper and know you guys understand. Thanks!

I completely agree with this!

Me too...accept that is all part of Phase 1. lol

Thanks, girls. It's fun to have you as new friends! By the way, my real name is Sylvia. I used an alias for fear someone I know might read this forum and think I've really gone off the deep end. I have to protect my public image! Just kidding, but I've never participated in a public forum before. Even Facebook makes me nervous because it's so public. I chose the username Woodstock for this forum because that's the era of music I grew up with and love the most and Paolo is the first musician to even come close and in many ways surpass the music of the 60s and 70s. The only other time I've had this kind of crush on a musician was on James Taylor. That lasted for decades. There are some similarities between the two, but James is more melancholy and less versatile (plus he's a lot older and bald now! :-). What other music/musicians do you guys like?

Anyway, besides Facebook (and this forum) I now have an account on MySpace 'cause I'd love to get a message through to Paolo. Don't know if it's possible, but thought I'd try. I'm a tour guide in Florence and thought: What if I could show Paolo and band around Florence when they're here??? I'd pay them! It's a real long shot, but you never know... Well, thanks for the chat. More soon!

quote:

Originally posted by woodstock69:
The only other time I've had this kind of crush on a musician was on James Taylor. That lasted for decades. There are some similarities between the two, but James is more melancholy and less versatile (plus he's a lot older and bald now! :-). What other music/musicians do you guys like?

I like JT, too. I've only seen him twice though, in 15 years, as opposed to Paolo four times in two months.

My older sister's a huge JT fan.

Anyway, welcome! And my real name's Celeste.

Hi Celeste. That's so cool you saw Paolo 4 times this summer. I'm jealous. I can't wait to see him for the first time in a month (he has only two gigs in Italy-Florence on Nov. 27 and Rome on the 28th. I've got tickets for Florence, but am already thinking I might just need to go to Rome on the 28th too...) Last summer I was in the US for a month--from July 20-Aug. 20. When I saw he had a tour during that time I wanted to go to at least one concert so badly. But my family and I were taking a road trip and had dates we had to stick to. We always hit the cities he played in at the wrong time. It was killing me. But then I saw he was coming to Italy. Yay!!! Can't wait! How was the turnout/reaction in the U.S.? I recently read an interview where he says the tour didn't go as well as he hoped. Low turnout or weak audience response? What's wrong with people??? By the way, just love your Paolo banner. He is! Cheers!

Hi Woodstock - Looking forward to more posts from you and rest assured you are among friends who feel exactly as you do.

I think the disappointing USA tour (we went to 7 and 9 concerts of their's in 2009) was due to no promotion. You didn't hear his music on the radio. We were very concerned for Paolo & The Vipers. All the venues were either sold out or close to sold out and the crowds loved them.

Check out the Forum Directory and welcome to the magnificent obsession. Cathleen

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Originally posted by woodstock69:
Hi Celeste. That's so cool you saw Paolo 4 times this summer. I'm jealous. I can't wait to see him for the first time in a month (he has only two gigs in Italy-Florence on Nov. 27 and Rome on the 28th. I've got tickets for Florence, but am already thinking I might just need to go to Rome on the 28th too...) Last summer I was in the US for a month--from July 20-Aug. 20. When I saw he had a tour during that time I wanted to go to at least one concert so badly. But my family and I were taking a road trip and had dates we had to stick to. We always hit the cities he played in at the wrong time. It was killing me. But then I saw he was coming to Italy. Yay!!! Can't wait! How was the turnout/reaction in the U.S.? I recently read an interview where he says the tour didn't go as well as he hoped. Low turnout or weak audience response? What's wrong with people??? By the way, just love your Paolo banner. He is! Cheers!

Hi, Sylvia.

I agree with Cat. The turnout at the concerts were always great, and he was always received very well. (As he should be, as he and The Vipers put on a great show). I don't listen to the radio a lot, but that said, I still haven't heard a Paolo song on the radio in over a year. I'm going to start bugging my local radio stations in earnest. I don't think Atlantic has done much to promote him here in the US, and that upsets me a bit.

I didn't see Paolo until July of this year, and it's probably for the best. Michelle (here on the forum) warned me that he was addictive, and she was right. As I was flying home from the first concert, I was trying to figure out how and when I'd go see them again!

So, that said, if there's ANY way you can go to the concert in Rome, I'd arrange that quickly!

Oh, and thanks - my friend who supports my Paolo addiction made that for me.

The first show I went to was in NYC(Terminal 5)But i did hear that it was originally supposed to be held somewhere else but that venue was sold out so quickly.And Terminal 5 is pretty large and it was packed!
I absolutely had to figure out a way to go see him again as well.I had a big day planned in NYC with 5 of my girlfriends 4 days after the NYC show.The night before this...I discovered Paolo was playing in Philly..Well i tried to coax my girlfriends into a really great night after a really great day in NYC...with none other than Paolo...but they wouldn't do it..So my daughter and I sort of ditched my friends (they were o.k with it) because my obsession had started 4 days earlier!! So we were off to Philly..
But i have to say that i was disappointed with the Philly show..First off one of the opening acts..Matt Hires was selling his cd and shirt when we got there...Absolutely NO merchandise for sale for Paolo..And the thing is Matt Hires never even performed that night! And so i thought well maybe Paolos stuff will be for sale after the show....NOPE! I just felt like someone somewhere screwed up...that was just wrong...
But anyway Sylvia i would definately recommend trying to get your hands on tickets for the Rome show.One show just won't be enough for you!!
Good luck!

quote:

Originally posted by Lynn:
The first show I went to was in NYC(Terminal 5)But i did hear that it was originally supposed to be held somewhere else but that venue was sold out so quickly.And Terminal 5 is pretty large and it was packed!
I absolutely had to figure out a way to go see him again as well.I had a big day planned in NYC with 5 of my girlfriends 4 days after the NYC show.The night before this...I discovered Paolo was playing in Philly..Well i tried to coax my girlfriends into a really great night after a really great day in NYC...with none other than Paolo...but they wouldn't do it..So my daughter and I sort of ditched my friends (they were o.k with it) because my obsession had started 4 days earlier!! So we were off to Philly..
But i have to say that i was disappointed with the Philly show..First off one of the opening acts..Matt Hires was selling his cd and shirt when we got there...Absolutely NO merchandise for sale for Paolo..And the thing is Matt Hires never even performed that night! And so i thought well maybe Paolos stuff will be for sale after the show....NOPE! I just felt like someone somewhere screwed up...that was just wrong...
But anyway Sylvia i would definately recommend trying to get your hands on tickets for the Rome show.One show just won't be enough for you!!
Good luck!

Hi Lynn,

Are you sure you are talking about the Philly show? Matt Hires did perform...I think you missed it. And I think they were selling Paolo stuff after the show. I didn't buy anything but I'm pretty sure I saw people buying stuff.

Paolo was amazing that night...I must say!

Are you serious?? We were so confused..We got there about 10 minutes before the show was supposed to start.And that's when we saw him selling his stuff.But out came that girl Erin.And we were so confused.So if he performed before her there must have been noone there.And how did i miss the merchandise after?? Unless i just again had Paolo on the brainBecause i had it all planned this time..that i was going to actually speak to him this time. In New York i was just so overcome by his presence i completely froze..My daughter took our picture(me..all bug-eyed)I was just sooo excited.
But seriously we talked about it a lot after the show...how that was just strange..And how nobody mentioned why Matt Hires didn't perform.
Well wait until my daughter hears this. We really liked Matt. I thought he was great. I LOVE listening to people play acoustic!!

Well, I DO feel like I'm among friends! Thank you all. But I must say, now I'm kinda worried too... From what you're saying, if I'm this hung up now, I'll be a wreck after I see him. You know, completely taken over by the pain of loving to pieces someone you can never have. Oh dear, this IS serious! Do I hear Simon & Garfunkel singing Mrs. Robinson in the background??? My crushes can be pretty intense. I thought this was as bad as it would get, but probably not... Oh well, I'll just hope to come away with a really good feeling instead. Heartaches are no fun. On a lighter note, the other night some girlfriends and I had a Mexican potluck dinner party at one of our houses. After dinner and a few margaritas we danced to Creedance Clearwater, which was good, and then some Mexican music, which I could do without. I waited for that to finish then said, OK you guys, now it's time for Paolo. I put on Pencil Full of Lead and went biserck dancing. Just me. It was a blast. The others watched, thinking 'wow she really does like this guy!' (In fact, it's not like me to dance solo!) Two of my friends admitted he had a really unique style and could see why I'm so "smitten". (One decided she's got to come to the concert too. Yay! Another convert!) I came away feeling completely elated. So, I guess I should look into tickets for Rome, right? My husband is not gonna understand this at all! By the way, how'd you all meet Paolo after the show? If I get my picture taken with him I'll be sure to post it! Thanks for your support and I'm glad to hear the U.S. concerts went well after all. I thought maybe the venues were only half full and people didn't really connect with the music. In Italy he's a little better known, but mostly from his single New Shoes a couple of years ago. In the last month, however, I've heard Last Request, Coming Up Easy and Candy on the radio. Only once each, but it's a start. Pencil Full of Lead is supposed to come out as a single soon. It might be dangerous if I hear it playing in a store. I won't be able to keep still! Ciao for now.

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Originally posted by woodstock69:
From what you're saying, if I'm this hung up now, I'll be a wreck after I see him.

Its a beautiful place to be

Its a beautiful place to be [/QUOTE]

I am back at phase one - just been to a show - new video out - he is getting better and better - the vipers are HOT! - happy bunny