[fatfingerjohn]

Hi, I was also at Birmingham. I am a total GL nut when it comes to his songwriting and he has given me hundreds if not thousands of hours of pleasure both listening and playing his music. To me he is unsurpassed with his amazing lyrics, melody lines, progressions and musical arrangements. But I don't think we should pretend that he is anywhere near what he was; how could he possibly be? The press article was pretty near the mark in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, I have tremendous admiration for the fact that he still tours and performs in the way he does which is incredible; but the show was a nostalgic journey rather than a wonder in itself; in some ways it was a touch sad but thoroughly enjoyable just the same. I wouldn't have missed it for the world as a trip down a wonderful part of memory lane. The show livened up in the second half when he spent a little bit of time actually talking to the audience and occasionally smiling; more of this would have been nice. Overall, amazing that he is still doing it but we shouldn't pretend that it is as it used to be and never can be. Bravo for the nostalgia and memories.