Many of you know that I spend more time taking pictures and worrying about getting “the right shot” at Kasim’s performances than the time I take enjoying the show. Calamari’s was different. I did get a few good shots, but at this performance, I sat back and enjoyed the company of those who gathered at this cozy hideaway in Erie, PA.

Reflecting on the evening of June 21, my best memory is of the new people I met—of the new friends I made. Many Todd fans were there and came out to see “Todd’s bassist” do a solo show. I think it was more out of curiosity than of familiarity. “Who is this guy and what can he do on his own?” I was lucky enough to meet Robin, her husband and their friends; there was also Kelly, a sweet young lady who allowed me to join her instead of sitting alone at the table next to Sue, Jen and I. As I said to Kelly, Kasim is too great an artist and his music is too melodious not to be shared with others. I probably chewed her ear off, but I couldn’t help telling her some of the background of Kasim’s songs and what they mean to me.

As I do not keep track of the songs that are played, I can’t list them here. I can say that Kasim did do a song I never heard before. I don’t remember the title or the tune right now, but I have it on video. I remember saying to myself, “I’m going to listen to this song over and over again,” so it must have made a big impression on me while he was playing it. As I’ve always seen, Kasim opened with Don’t Hold Me Back. I don’t think there is a better song for him to open a show with; his voice beating out the first line and really grabbing your attention.

Kasim chatted with those who came to see him after the show and allowed pictures to be taken of him with his fans. He signed CDs, LPs and posters. Robin had a large black and white poster… I think larger than 16x20… of Utopia that Kasim was happy to autograph. Robin stated she has a whole collection of TR material—enough to open a museum, and many stories of how she obtained these items over the years. She even has a tee shirt signed by Kasim’s mom from many, many years ago.

All in all, I have to say this show and venue was well worth the trip to Erie and I’d do it again.

Well, it was 21st June so the longest day of the year and for the past couple of months, I've been thinking of a hot summer night and Kasim playing outside on "the deck" with a starlit sky as a backdrop. Calamari's was a lovely restaurant but when I visited it a few days previously, I discovered that "the deck" was in fact a wooden paved area between two buildings, overlooking the car park, that created a wind tunnel effect! As it turned out, when I drove towards Erie, there was a torrential thunderstorm so they opted to hold it inside. It was a nice room (but dark so my photos won't be that bright) but during the support act, Doug Philips, the air conditioning was some fierce that eventually enough people complained for them to turn it off!

Kasim started with his usual strong "I gave no promise or guarantee" intro into Don't Hold Me Back but, almost as soon as he'd finished singing it, someone started to leave (the door was right by the stage) so Kasim made a real joke of it and asked if he was that bad? The lady explained that she had to get home for the babysitter (but that she was first on his mailing list) and that was a reoccurring theme for the evening whenever somebody left (usually to go to the other room to the bar and they soon returned)! Kasim seems to be able to make a joke of any situation!

After Afraid Himself To Be (back to the slow version of "Drop your gun and your guard") and Sometimes Love Is A Dangerous Thing, Kasim asked us if he sounded okay (he certainly did!) so someone replied that he sounded "solid" at the back. Kasim then showed us another one of his talents as he managed to hit him with one of his guitar pics - even at that distance! He then mentioned that one of his pics had recently been sold on E-Bay for $3!!

After Set Me Free (with Kasim choking briefly on his gum during it!) some people returned from the bar which Kasim joked about before he explained the concept of Deface the Music and he sang Alone.

Kasim sang Just A Little Bit and Ticket To Ride and then said that his first solo album Kasim cost $500,000 to make so consequently received very little marketing as EMI assumed that it would sell itself - apparently it wasn't even available in the record shops on Staten Island though!

After Kasim sang Utopia's There Goes My Inspiration, he talked about his new CD and that it should be out this year and sang Before She Was Gone from it which went down really well with the audience. After Libertine, Kasim switched guitars and sang his less than a week old great song The One Sure Thing (this time with no "There, There" at the end) which was a tremendous hit with the crowd!

It was then that there we had a brief question and answer session which was great (I was kicking myself afterwards that I didn't ask one question that had been bugging me for a while!). The main tidbit that came out was that a new version of Kasim's favourite Utopia song, I Will Wait, will be on his new solo CD!

All too soon for me, Kasim was finishing off his great set with Todd Rundgren's It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference and The Beatles’ Across The Universe.

And there ended five great Kasim Sulton solo gigs….. 49 days until Milwaukee.....!

Video Clips
Due to server size restrictions the video clips have been temporarily removed. To view them please either e-mail SueW@KasimInfo.com or visit the Video Of The Week section of the site.

Many thanks to Frank Ciapanna for providing all the photos on this page

Kasim Sulton Solo Acoustic Tour 2001