Bryan Adams is in Austin….

10:00 AM: My phone rings to a familiar tone, as soon as I said “Hello!”, “Do You Know Where Bryan Adams Is Performing Today? Familiar with the voice on the other end, that of my sweet wife, Nidhi, I said “No” and then I followed up with my most favorite word in the world “Why” which always, without fail, annoys her!

But, I can’t help it, it’s in my nature to question everything, that’s what all science students are bred to do!

“ In Austin at Paramount Theater today at 8 PM!”

Suddenly, though I had plenty to do, and a meeting to attend, I involuntarily teleported back to “Summer of ‘69”, to the feeling I had when I heard his voice for the first time in 1984, “It’s Only Love” from his album “Reckless”, nominated for Grammy’s that year, and for which I paid more than my one month of pocket money…to buy a Cassette Tape! Which I still have!

I was hooked for life…and to be able to see him play live, would be so F****** Amazing…

Suddenly, Nidhi woke me up with a question “You Wanna Go?” She very well knew the answer!

Hunt for the tickets….

As soon as I said “Oh Definitely!”, Nidhi was at it (those who know her well, know that at any given instance, there are at least six to seven tabs on IE window on her computer, and in this situation, probably more as she started to search for the tickets)…sadly the show was sold out!!

Then, as resourceful as she is, she called one of her “Prospective Client” and asked them if they had any available? After a brief unnerving silence, the voice on the other end said, “We Only Have Two left!” the sweetest five words….

Mad dash to….

As soon as she secured the tickets, we coordinated our trip, when to leave office,  reach home, quickly change, drive to Austin, where to pickup the tickets, where to eat an early dinner, and by what time to be at the Paramount.

We easily covered the distance of 110 miles (north-central San Antonio to North Austin, back to Downtown Austin) in over 80 minutes, picked up the tickets, ordered the food on the phone, and drove to “Masala Wok”. The food was ready by the time we got there, took out time in savoring it. At 7:35 PM we were standing in front of Aisle 3 inside the Paramount, and 7:45 we were at out seat at the Orchestra Level, barely 50 feet from the stage! How good is that?

Paramount Theater, Austin, Texas

The Paramount Theatre has stood on Congress Avenue in the heart of downtown Austin for nearly 100 years. The site of the Paramount Theatre was once home to Sam Houston’s office and the War Department of the Republic of Texas and later the Avenue Hotel. As Austin’s oldest surviving theatre built in 1915, the Paramount has a long history of entertaining Central Texas audiences.

The Paramount holds special historical significance as a City of Austin Landmark and State Landmark. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the few remaining ‘hemp houses,’ using ropes and sandbags, left in America.

Originally conceived as a Vaudeville and variety house, it continues to bring a wide array of programming to its stage. The Paramount presents comedy, drama, music, dance, spoken word, children’s programming and films to more than 200,000 Central Texans each year. (Source: Official Paramount Theater Webpage, here)

The View 

 

At 7:45 we’re taken to our seats, very comfortable, and the ambience was amazing. The theater is small compared to other theaters, but has preserved most of the original elements, while incorporating the newest in technology to provide the best entertainment possible, to everyone who comes through the doors.

The stage is lit with Blue ambient lighting, with a mic in the front center. An acoustic guitar, a harmonica hanging on a pedestal, an a piano on the left are the only three musical instruments on stage waiting idly by, for their turn. People of all ages, all classes, with their best and some with possibly their worst attire, few on wheelchairs, and the youngest we saw was a girl sitting behind us, was probably 8 or 9 years old, with only one request “18 Till I Die!”

As usual, the audience is reminded that no audio or video recording devices, including cellular phones are allowed during the show and they would appreciate if the audience followed the rule.

Do they really believe that people will come to see their idols, and take nothing back with them to keep the memory alive?

Yeah right!

The God descends on the stage….

Bryan Adams is turning 50 this November (surprised?), but one look at him and you bet he’s not over 35. He’s maintained himself well, and above all his voice is pristine. He picks up his guitar, strums it, tunes it to his liking, looks up with a smile and his first words “Hello Austin”

He mentions that he’s been in Austin before, played at different venue’s, but it’s his first time at the Paramount, and so far he loves it.

Casual monologue continues about his day in Austin, Mexican food he had in town, while he’s getting the feel of the crowd and his guitar.  One thing that I never expected, he’s a great stand-up comedian as well! A truly gifted individual!

He mentioned how he started this acoustic tour in January in Florida, the idea for which came to him after he released his album “11” in 2008. I have to say it’s brilliant idea, the music and lyrics takes on a different dimension, when it’s performed acoustically! It’s much more personal experience for the artist and the audience as well.

1. Opens with “Run To You!” (from “Reckless”, released in 1984)

“She says her love for me could never die,

But that’d change if she ever found out about you and I.”

2. Here I Am (a song played as end credits for the soundtrack of “Spirit: Stallion of The Cimmaron” a motion picture released in 2002)

Here I am – this is me,

There’s nowhere else on earth I’d rather be

Here I am – it’s just me and you,

And tonight we make our dreams come true

3. Thought I died and Gone to Heaven (his album “Waking Up The Neighbors” released in 1991)

Love is forever – as I lie awake Beside you

I believed – there’s no heaven

No hideaway – for the lonely

But I was wrong – crazy

It’s gotta be strong, It’s gotta be right

Only wanted to stay awhile, Only wanted to play awhile

Then you taught me to fly like a bird

Baby – thought I’d died and gone to heaven

4. 18 Till I Die (“18 Till I Die” released in 1996)

I wanna be young the rest of my life

never say no – try anything twice

til the angels come and ask me to fly

I’m gonna be 18 til I die – 18 til I die!

5. Can’t Stop This Thing We Started (from “The Best Of Me” released in 1999) 

You might stop a hurricane

Might even stop the drivin’ rain

You might have a dozen other guys

But if you wanna stop me baby don’t even try

I’m goin’ one way your way

It’s such a strong way let’s make it our way

Can’t stop this thing we started

6. Thought I’d Seen Everything (from “11”, released in 2008)

I like the way we are – I love what we’ve become

When I’m in your arms – I know I’ve found the one

I love your kiss me mouth – and your static touch

It’s just the way you are – that makes me feel so much 

No one could ever know – what we’re like alone

Rollin’ round like rain – we’re a midnight storm

Like a river rising – I feel it thru your skin

When we’re together – I never want it to end

I thought I’d seen everything – til I saw you

7. When You Love Someone (from “MTV Unplugged”, released in 1997)  

When you love someone you’ll do anything

You’ll do all the crazy things that you can’t explain

You’ll shoot the moon put out the sun

When you love someone

You’ll deny the truth believe a lie

There’ll be times that you’ll believe

you can really fly

But your lonely nights have just begun

When you love someone

When you love someone you’ll feel it deep inside

(Bryan gave some background on the origins of the song. He was requested by Hollywood producer to write and perform a song, which will be filmed on Sandra Bullock. He said, he thought maybe he will able to hook-up with her, but it never happened. )

8. Not Romeo, Not Juliet (from “Room Service” released in 2004)

This is story about a boy and girl

Trying find a life in the big world

Somehow they’re together

There ain’t much to the mystery

Misery loves company

She just waves her hand and says whatever

Well this ain’t love this ain’t love this ain’t love at all

And he says…

We’re not Romeo we’re not Juliet

9. Everything I Do I Do It For You (from “So Far So Good”, released in 1993) 

Look into my eyes – you will see

What you mean to me

Search your heart – search your soul

And when you find me there you’ll search no more

Don’t tell me it’s not worth tryin’ for

You can’t tell me it’s not worth dyin’ for

You know it’s true

Everything I do – I do it for you 

(This song was included into the soundtrack of “Robin Hood, the Prince of Thieves and the video for the song was also filmed on stage)

10. Cut’s Like A Knife (From “Cuts Like A Knife”, released in 1983)

Drivin’ home this evening

I coulda sworn we had it all worked out

You had this boy believin’

Way beyond the shadow of a doubt

11. This Time… (From “Cuts Like A Knife” released in 1982)

I think about her all the time

She’s my fantasy

An image it’s burnin’ in my mind

Callin’ out to me

While my imagination’s runnin’ wild

Yeah – things are getting clearer

This time everything is all right

No way she’s gonna get away

This time everything is easy

Any day – I’m gonna make her mine

12. Please Forgive Me… (From “So Far So Good” released in 1993)

It still feels like our first night together

Feels like the first kiss and

It’s gettin’ better baby

No one can better this

I’m still hold on and you’re still the one

The first time our eyes met it’s the same feelin’ I get

Only feels much stronger and I wanna love ya longer

You still turn the fire on

13. Summer of ’69 (From “Reckless”, released in 1984)

I got my first real six-string – bought it at the five and dime

Played it til my fingers bled – it was the summer of ’69

Me and some guys from school – had a band and we tried real hard

Jimmy quit and Jody got married – I shoulda known we’d never get far

Oh when I look back now – That summer seemed to last forever

And if I had the choice – ya – I’d always wanna be there

Those were the best days of my life

14. Walk On By… (From “11” released in 2008)

I Heard That You’re Leaving

This Sleepy Little Town

The Bright Lights

Must have caught your eye

Cuz’ You Aint Hangin round

Ya know people been talking

They Say, You’re Making A Mistake,

Gotta Get On that Greyhound

And forget about what they say

15. Lonely Nights (previously unreleased, performed live on MTV)

Will you risk your reputation?

I don’t know.

You just don’t know what you’re sayin’

Anymore. 

You know beggers can’t be chosers,

And that’s fair.

When we win we may be losers,

I don’t care, no no no.

Baby, I just can’t stand another lonely night,

So come over and save me,

Save me from another lonely night.

I hear every word you’re sayin’

They’re all lies.

But with every breath you’re takin’

You’re thinkin’ of ways to say good night.

16. Freebird (originally performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd, this one was a country version by Bryan Adams)

If I leave here tomorrow

Would You Still Remember me?

For I must be traveling on, Now

‘Cause there’s too many places I’ve got to see

But, If I stayed here with your girl

Things just couldn’t bet the same

17. Seven Spanish Angels (originally performed by Willie Nelson, this one was a country version by Bryan Adams)

He looked down into her brown eyes,
Said,

” Say a prayer for me.”


She threw her arms around him,


Whispered, “God will keep us free.”


And they could hear the riders comin,


He said, “This is my last fight.


If they take me back to Texas,


They won’t take me back alive.”

18. I’m Ready (previously unreleased, performed live on MTV)

I’d like to see ya – thought I’d let ya know

I wanna be with ya everyday

Cause I got a feelin’ that’s beginning to grow

And there’s only one thing I can say

I’m ready – to love you

I’m ready – to hold you

19. Heaven (From “Reckless”, released in 1984)

Oh – thinkin’ about all our younger years

There was only you and me,

We were young and wild and free!

20. Somebody (from “Reckless”, released in 1984)

I been lookin for someone

Between the fire and the flame

Were all lookin for somethin

To ease the pain

Now who can you turn to

When its all black and white

And the winners are losers

You see it every night 

I need somebody

Somebody like you

Everybody needs somebody

(Bryan discussed the origins of this song, and was a result of a Hollywood production for a script that required this song for a male stripper. He joked and apologized to people, if they got married and danced to this song!)

We Made Him Come Back!

With “I Need Somebody” Bryan Adams bowed and left the stage. It was closing time. The crowd gave a standing ovation and kept at it, till he came back onstage and performed a few more songs for us.

21. Have You Really Loved A Woman… (From “18 Till I Die”, released in 1996)

To really love a woman

To understand her

You’ve got to know what deep inside

Hear every thought see every dream

And give her wings when she wants to fly

And when you find yourself lying helpless in her arms

You know you really love a woman

22. All For One, All For Love! (From “Best Of Me”, released in 2002)

When it’s love you give

(I’ll be a man of good faith.)

Then in love you live

(I’ll make a stand. I won’t break.)

I’ll be the rock you can build on

Be there when you’re old

To have and to hold 

When there’s love inside

(I swear I’ll always be strong.)

Then there’s a reason why

(I’ll prove to you we belong.)

I’ll be the wall that protects you

From the wind and the rain

From the hurt and pain 

Let’s make it all for one and all for love

(For this song, Bryan approached Sting and Rod Stewart. Both agreed to record the song with him, and it’s probably one of the best that any of them have ever done. In his own words, he didn’t know how he pulled it off!)

With this song, the evening came to a close. Though, he stayed on the stage, shook hands with people in the front row, and gave enough time for us to grab some pictures, despite the warning on PA earlier. He bid us farewell and left the stage.

It was a perfect evening. We had so much fun. Though, I wish he had also performed some of the other hits as well, including but not limited to, I Wanna Be Your Underwear, and most notably the Cloud No. 9!!