Date: Fri, 19 May 1995 15:26:09 EDT
From: PWZQ28B@prodigy.com (MR ASHLEY B PERREAULT)
To: roses-list@best.com
Subject: TORONTO REVIEW

I went to see the Roses Thursday in Toronto. The show started at 9 pm and I got there about 7 30 (So I got close to the front). Apparently, the line up to get into the venuewas huge and they did not get everyone in till about 9:45 - 10. Well, anyways the venue was this narrow hall that fit 3500 people (feel sorry for people at back). On each side there were curtains with their florencent lights and concession stands on the other side of them. They were playing stuff like Portishead, RadioHead, and Oasis as there pre-show music. 

Suddenly the intro came on from Second Coming (But the two sets of lights were still on and I wondered if they would turn off. The crowd was going insane as the drums were going off. Suddenly one of the huge lights went off (huge huge huge cheer) then with the intro still going the second went off (It was pitch black with unreal crowd noise). 

Suddenly, I saw Mani run on followed by Rob then John finally Ian. They started with Adored. The crowd was jumping up and down and there was a HUGE mosh pit (I don't think Ian believed what he saw - he was smiling and noding at John). I have been to Lollapoloza, NINE INCH NAILS and many more "Mosh Pit" bands and this one was better. 

The Roses were UNBELIEVEABLE. Ian was right on tune (although he did not attempt certain high notes. I really think he is a great singer with lousy confidence in his vocal chords. He did sing the stuff on the albulm. It's so weird because he will try for a high note on one song - hit it perfectly then on the next song just not try it. 

I could not believe the crowd reaction though, I've never had so much fun jumping up and down... John was incredible. Mani brings life to the stage and Robbie was like Reni - great. 

The highlight of the Show was I AM THE RESSURECTION - AND I AM THE LIFE. Just that one line would have made the show for me - And it was sung perfectly both times from Ian. I was high just off the music from this classic song I will always remember. Never was there a moment in a concert (I have been to every show imanginable) where a crowd was so into the song. The crowd generally responded better to the First Albulm which was strange (But they responded to everything very well). 

Anyways they played everything the other people mensioned except they left out "Begging You" and "Elizabeth my Dear." They also did not give us an encore of Fools Gold (They left us there for 10 minutes of cheering before they turned the lights back on - At this point I wanted to kill Ian). What more did they expect from a crowd? That was not fair! 

Well, another note I would like to make was that strangely enough the worst responce from the crowd (They were not jumping up and down for this one) was supriseingly enough none other that LOVE SPREADS. The band seemed in awe of this as well. They closed with a great version of Driving South that ROCKED.

I hope this gives you an idea of what to expect. All in all, this was the best concert I've been to mainly because of the wat the Roses got the crowd singing and jumping around like I NEVER EXPECTED. 

I would have been more than satisfied to be the only one singing.

I AM THE RESSURECTION AND I AM THE LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!