I think this show at The Roxy might be the best Vanessa show I have seen thus far. I have so much respect for Vanessa and am really happy to have had the opportunity to observe her for the past 5 years.
Vanessa has always seemed very introverted but for the first time ever, i watched her shake the hands of fans from on stage and even sign something for a fan! I don't think she is even remotely close to acting like a diva, in fact i think the opposite... she was very humble.
The highlights from the show for me were...
- The new songs... Nolita Fairytale, The One, Hands On Me, Fools Like Me and Home were awesome. It is so amazing how much Vanessa opens up through her lyrics and music. Her courage to put herself out there is amazing.
- Her vocal range in the new songs and how White Houses and Who's To Say were changed blew me away. The added lyrics in Who's To Say was really hot.
- The duet with Stevie was truly touching. I thought it was so cute how while Vanessa was playing she was looking at Stevie and visa versa.
- Irv watching Vanessa from the side, knowing all the lyrics and singing along. I think they’re a match made in heaven. More than anything, I want Vanessa to be very successful and from what I’ve seen, Irv is going to make that happen.
- Irv running on stage yelling at V that she is the f'ing shit. Followed by V saying that he needs to do that for all the songs or else she will think the other ones weren't as good as that one.
I can’t imagine what it must be like to handle the stress and popularity she received in 2002 with the success of A Thousand Miles and the fiasco with the label in 2004 with no promotion and no support. I think Vanessa has a lot of courage to get back out there and open up so much in the new songs.
-katia
