They say every dark cloud has a silver lining. But can a
silver cloud have a silver lining? Or as the case maybe in this particular
instance a golden cloud have a golden lining?
It all started when I decided that I wanted to go and see
Isla Grant and Al Grant in concert. The amazing fact is that this thought came
to me whilst I was on a treadmill listening to a live set by Swedish House
Mafia. Maybe all the Electronics and monotonous beats of Electronic Dance Music
made me yearn for some good old fashioned tunes.
I can see a nod of disapproval of some of you reading this
post. Surely isn’t this kind of music too old fashioned? I agree; but I do
listen to a wide variety of music. If you go through my iPod you will be
surprised to see Golden Oldies to hip hop to rap to Rock to EDM to heavy metal
comfortably coexisting next one another. I listen to them all as long as I like
how it sounds. Now I must confess the name Isla and Al Grant was not familiar
to me – though some of her songs were - till I heard that Gold FM was bringing
them down. It was only then I realized the power of her music. Firstly I loved
her voice which can only be described as smooth and rich as honey. I also
admired the simple and easy going manner of her lyrics.
One of the advantages of being in the communications
business is you are privy to free tickets. I was informed that I was on the
list to get free tickets for the show. Great! I was informed that the tickets
for the show were selling like hot caked. It did not bother me. After all I was
getting my free tickets right in front. So I waited. Then I got to know that
all the tickets for the show were sold out and I still waited. Who cared? After
all I would be comfortably ensconced in a front row seat which even money could
not buy. When it was five days to the show I began to worry. There were no
signs of my tickets. Neither was there any sign of tickets two days before the
show. Just one day before the show I discovered that I was NOT getting tickets
after all. It seems that there had been such a demand for the tickets the
powers that be had thought of selling them instead of giving them away. It is
completely understandable. I just wish they had told me so. To add insult to
injury none of the contacts over there at the station even bothered to reply
messages I sent. Just to stress a point I did not badger them for complimentary
tickets but instead I wanted to know if there were any extra tickets available
to purchase. My enquiries were met by a wall of solid silence.
It was the day of the show. The radio was blaring out an Al
Grant or Isla Grant song every five minutes it seemed. Pictures of this
beautiful couple - who had flown down the day before - appeared on the fb page
of The Kingsbury. There was excitement in the air. At least amongst those who
had the tickets for the show. It certainly did not include me.
Even though my search for tickets had come up with zilch I had
this feeling that I will not miss out on the show and I would get the tickets
somehow or the other.
And my gut instinct proved it was right once again. Because
at around 3.30 they managed to put some extra tickets out and I managed to
purchase mine.
I was lucky even though the tickets were right at the back
it was adjoining the sound console which meant the sound was really great. The
hall was full of people whose average age would have been 60. One would be have
been excused for wondering if they had been dropped into some kind over 60
convention.
Isla Grant came on stage and sang her heart out. Her voice
was a treat to listen to. So was her accent and listening to her say “we are
going to play you another wee song” ever so often was an absolute treat. It was
worth all the trouble and anxiety I had gone through.
But this was just the cake. You know what the icing on the
cake was? With a cherry on top?
Hearing this mature audience hoot Duminda Silva vociferously
when the compeers announced his presence. As they say in the Master Card
commercial it was Priceless!
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