CHRIS CARVILLE writes : 'I made it to both shows in my area. The first one in Waterbury, Connecticut was at Brass City Records on Tuesday March 2nd. About 50 or 60 people turned up for the show, Kevin arrived at about 7.45. I said "Hello" to him and he said "Hello" back and then disappeared in the back office. The place didn't seem to know what to expect of him. I went back for some quick drinks at the bar round the corner and then lights started to flash on and off about 9 o'clock so I took my seat. Kevin strolled in from the back, through the audience and sat down. He tried to talk but the sound was horrible. He started to play 'When Your Parents Go To Sleep' but the sound was just miserable and never really improved. He seemed really unhappy with the setup and said the audience was too close so he moved back against the wall. The whole thing lasted 40 or 45 minutes, no encore, the audience was really disappointed and I'm sure he was too. I felt mild disappointment but I still enjoyed it because it was the first time I'd seen him. But, he'd been in hospital with a virus or something and missed some gigs and this was the first one back feeling well. It was a surreally small place, about 15 feet by 60 feet, which was a bit like having a show in your living room.....

However, if the first gig was forgettable, the next show in Boston at Johnny D's Uptown bar & music club was spectacular by any means - more professional, more relaxed, much better performance and sound. Kevin seemed to be really up, sipping tequila and beer. I took my friend Nicko along - I'd made him a cassette of Kevin a week back (he'd never heard him before!) which he played twice and at the show he recognised all the songs except the two or three I'd not put on and hadn't expected him to perform. He thought it was a good show but for me it was fantastic. He played all the songs from the night before plus a few others. Sound was great and Kevin's playing and singing really good. I was a bit nervous at first because he started to get upset that people were talking - 'Hmmm, everybody paid ten dollars so they can talk to each other' - and then after the sixth song he dashed off stage after ordering a tequila.

Ten minutes later he came back on for an outstanding second set, taking requests after saying that he couldn't think of anything else to play. He played 'Ballbearing Blues' after commenting 'I haven't played that for twenty years', and 'Stranger In Blue Suede Shoes was another request. For the encore a man right at the front shouted 'Why Are We Sleeping' and Kevin said 'I don't know, why are you?', then told everyone to 'be quiet, this is a quiet song' and did an excellent version of 'Thank You Very Much'. The show was awesome, I was greatly relieved and impressed and it can erase any bad memories from the Connecticut show.

SETS

Connecticut 2/3/93 When Your Parents Go To Sleep, Shouting In A Bucket Blues, Too Old To Die Young, I Don't Depend On You, Lady Rachel, Super Salesman, See You Later, Everybody's Sometime Blues, May I, Stranger In Blue Suede Shoes, Two Goes Into Four.

Boston 3/3/93 (1st set) When Your Parents Go To Sleep, Shouting In A Bucket Blues, Too Old To Die Young, Everybody's Sometime Blues, Here Comes Johnny, I Don't Depend On You. (2nd set) Super Salesman, Lady Rachel, May I, See You Later, Ballbearing Blues, Stranger In Blue Suede Shoes, Travelling Light (?), Blaming It All On Love, Two Goes Into Four, Thank You Very Much.