Having been up since 4 am to catch a 7:30 am flight I was on a pure adrenaline high by the time the show started! I'd managed to meet up with several other fans and we made our way to the theater to get in line to wait for doors to open. We were very fortunate to be able to see and speak with the band members as they were coming in and out of the theater. They are all very gracious with there time and even posed for pictures if they had time.

Finally..doors open and we get seated!! After chatting at our tables and having a few drinks..lights finally go down.

Kasim Sulton was introduced and he took the stage to a rousing ovation! He didn't seem nervous at all and his confidence showed throughout his performance. He was in excellent and strong voice. He mentioned his new CD "Quid Pro Quo" (which I highly recommend if you haven't picked it up already!!!) He finished his set with a wide smile and received another rousing ovation!! He has truly won new fans on this tour! I saw many people with his cd in their hands after the show! One of the lady's I was with kept saying all night how impressed she was with him after meeting him and seeing him perform. It was wonderful to see him perform his songs live again. He really gave the crowd something special.

Patti Russo then took the stage. In contrast to Kasim's acoustic set. She goes for a more rock n roll set with upbeat songs. She too was in strong voice. She was very playful and quick witted. After her first song..she got a yell out of a fan and said "Oh..that's my mother! She looked like she was really having fun. The only thing I noticed...I really liked the songs and her voice is one of the best...but I wish she would play to the audience more. She tends to play to the band alot and doesn't look at the audience. But..overall..she really rocked the house.

Of course the main concert started with Meat doing his usual glare at the audience to kick off the show! Having heard he'd not been feeling well.. I was so impressed with how strong his voice sounded. He was of course quick with the jokes and had me laughing at many points! In particular was a joke he told about being at the age he could hide his own Easter Egg (you had to be there...trust me!) and trying to remember a movie with Joe Pesci! He had his trademark interaction with the audience that has no rival. He's amazing!! This was my first Meat show and I went away stunned! Seeing all these songs I love so much live was like nothing I've ever seen!

I was really impressed with Pearl! I even feel that at times her onstage presence and demeanor was better than Patti's although they are both wonderful performers and vocalists!

Her solo really blew me away! I also noticed that she took a bit more lead on some of the background vocals at times. She really shines onstage and I hope to see and hear more from her.

The show as a whole was in one word AWESOME! Meat and all of the NLE are true professionals and excellent performers. After the show we were able to again talk with the band and even had the pleasure of spending time with Amanda Aday. I've never seen a daughter that is so much like her father! She was really sweet and talked with us for a long time. I had the pleasure to meet Patti and she graciously signed a cd for me and posed for a picture. Kasim of course was in a great mood and talked with us for a long time! It was a perfect ending to a perfect evening. It all went by too fast!

Back to Kasim Sulton's Meat Loaf Summer 2002 Tour