My comment is:

Alright!

Worth the wait. Reviewers are a looney lot.

Re the Boston Globe review:

I hate this gutless tone of critics, where you finish the review and say to yourself, “well, I guess it either it stunk or it didn’t, but I’m not sure which.”  

For example, was the reference to the “cute” opening pejorative or not?  I’m not sure, and maybe the reviewer isn’t either.  Seems she’d rather write “cute” than face the work of a legitimate, though-out analysis.  The trend seems to be that having an easily discernable opinion is very de-classe, not “smart” enough.  Whatever.  

As I’ve stated before, I disagree with the majority opinion that less-is-more regarding instrumentation.  On some songs, it is.  But overall, I think the mixture of timbres, and the introduction of interesting percussion, adds a lot.*

* Rant:  Regardless of Mr. Froom’s decisions regarding his personal life, I have to say that I miss some of his production decisions.  Also, Rupert Hine did a terrific job on Red and Grey…I like the “clean” sound that still sounded soulful and complicated…wonder why he didn’t return to the studio this time.  No knock on the songwriting at all, but I’m not a fan of Hogarth’s approach.  You don’t find as many subtle sounds and variations creating interest (and inviting repeat listening) from verse to verse and chorus to chorus.  Other things come to mind as well, like an over-emphasis in the mix on background singers gives a slightly cheesy feel to Frank and Ava - muted overlays of Suzanne’s voice might have been better.  The new tunes sound great live tough, and they are great songs!  

Love the new travel blog!  What an incredibly sweet picture of you and Paul in the van!!!  That totally gave me warm fuzzies all over.  

I can't wait to see you tonight!!!

-Milo/Will

Great stuff -- thanks for letting us in in there...

(And tremendous show last night in T.O., btw!  Thanks!)

This blog is such a good idea!!!!  Having some pictures and your reflections about the tour from day to day is great!  

By the way, thank you again for the Montreal gig!!! Hope to hear about it on this blog!  As I told you, it was awsome!  It was quite something for me to see you at "La Tulipe" because this was the theater of the father of one of my good friend.  It was the last theater in Montreal for revues and burlesque shows.  I used to go there for free in my teens.  Lot's of feathers and glitter at that time!  LOL

And also, thank you a lot for taking the time to meet a Towie after a performance while knowing you would have to drive to Toronto by night!  Thinking of that is heartwarming and really appreciated!

with all my respect and affection for you, your words and your work!

Guillaume Lesage

Delightful !!! You are so sweet to us Suzanne, sharing like you do.  Best wishes to you, yours, the band and roadies.

Saw your show in Toronto last night Suzanne. Being my first time seeing you live I must say I was blown away and completely inspired by you and your band!  I hope you guys make it back to TO again soon!

I was lucky enough to be right up near the stage and my boyfriend took some great photos -- flashless of course =) -- and video of the show.  They turned out wonderfully!  If you'd like me to upload them to a file sharing server for your site let me know and I can send in the link.

Oh and your new album is one of my favorites of the year.  I even got my Mom hooked on it.  I only had your Tried & True CD previously but this new album is definitely up there with all of your best known work, if not surpassing it.

Justin, if you want to submit some photos to the site, e-mail me at help@SuzanneVega.com.

hello,

What a wondeful idea!! I checked out all the postings so far and loved the backstage photo and hope to be the lucky recipient of an autograph like those lucky souls in that one pic. Great performance of Letterman as well! I am very much looking forward to your show in Chicago Sunday night. I'll be armed with a copy of days of open Hand, which I am listening to right now and is my favorite of your CDs...it's been pretty nonstop Suzanne the last couple days to get psyched for the show. See you there. Sincerely, Robert  

looking good,  helpful tip from another Iweb user,  for the photos you can click on the names and then rename them what every you want and not just have the file name.

I create my Sweden website with Iweb
http://web.mac.com/nwafer
id: sweden
password: nillawafer

looking forward to more entries, and also the Germany shows in Oct. :-)

Thank's for the great "on the road" blog,Suzanne!
Love the photo's,nice to see what life is like on a tour.
Can't wait to see you in london in October,it'll be the second time I've seen you in concert this year,FANTASTIC!!

Best wish's,
Chris.

Saw you in Chicago last night.....  you were fantastic!!...  the band was fantastic.... the venue perfect....  have been a fan since the first album and have bought every one since...  this is my third time seeing you in Concert and you get better and better...   Thanks and keep writing your wonderful songs I love all of them!!
Good luck for the rest of the tour, wish I could see you again!!...
YOU ARE THE BEST!!

Money, and its place, is tricky.  Take it too seriously and it will destroy you.  Pretend that it doesn't matter and ignore it, and it will destroy you.  

In this area, as in others, the proper blance is difficult and essential.  And, of course, imbalances in this area wreck havok with all kinds of relationships.

Joseph Campbell:  "I never knew an artist who didn't want money, but they don't pursue it.  Their minds are elsewhere.  Joyce begged everyone he knew for money.  But he couldn't make money and do what he did: sixteen years writing Finnegans Wake."  

….Speaking of relationship imbalances and also money…thinking of the scene in “Henry and June” that shows us Anais Nin writing in bed when she is interrupted by her wealthy husband Hugo, who shows her the “art” he burned on a piece of paper with a candle.   Many things artists do to have the means to live they find themselves unable to tolerate in a short time.  

Anyway, getting too far afield of Wharton's book here, I'm afraid.  

Toronto, last Wed night, was alot of fun.  Great show and it was wonderful to meet and speak with Suzanne after the show.
Thanks, Suzanne for being so sweet to your fans by giving them your time when in only hours you had to be "live" on TV.
(terrific performance of "Frank & Ava" by the way!)

All the best during your travels!

John

It was great to read about your recent appearance on the
Letterman Show. How appropriate that you chose to sing your
wonderful song, "Anniversary"
Best wishes to you, and your band, for the remainder of your
tour.  

I was in the audience in PIttsburgh and I was absolutely enchanted the entire evening.  Thank you for the fantastic show.

Thank you for a great show in Chicago! One of the most thoughtful performances I have ever seen. Best wishes for the rest of the tour.

I have to say it's awful cool to see Suzanne Vega "master" the iWeb software to create a Tour blog. Very geek :) Kudos!

I'm a recent fan, even though I remember "Luka" from my childhood. I've downloaded "Beauty/Crime", "Live at ST", and "Songs in Red and Gray" from iTunes. Thank you for the incredible songs and music. Looking forward to the show at the Belly Up!

Apparantly, this Bob Hillman fellow has written a song called "Circle Jerk at the Square Dance"

It makes me very sad that these lyrics do not seem to be posted anywhere.  

(What sort of a place is Iowa City anyway?)

Perhaps it is an instrumental piece.

Dylan, of course, has a very large audience.  Once you know people are paying attention to what you are doing, other considerations can fade away into the background.  

At the same time, he might be so uncompromising that he'd still be playing in bars while people got drunk and talked to each other after all these years if he had to.  Someone like Jagger, on the other hand, would have gone into banking or something if the music hadn't taken off.  

Hi Suzanne,

I was just reading your latest entry on your video diary and it got me smiling. I personally enjoy it when you share your thoughts outside of what's going on with the tour (although I am interested in it) but with what you have been listening to and reading. I fancy myself as a writer and when I see someone reading while I am slinging drinks I always try strike up a literary conversation (although sports comes up mostly and I hold my own there very well). I am going to look into that Mother Theresa biograpy, sounds intriguing. One of my favorite bios is Albert Speer's memoirs, Inside The Third Reich and that's exactly what you get, a front row seat, from an ordinary man who just wanted to be an architect but became a whole lot more. Right now, I am finishing up We Were The Mulvaneys by Joyce Carol Oates (my first of hers) and someone else I love the more of her I read is Margaret Atwood and I currently also reading her book Alias Grace, The Robber Bride is the best I have read of hers so far, although Grace is quite compelling. Music: I am digging the latest from the New Pornographers (gonna see then next week) and even though it's been out a while, I was very impressed with the new CD by Crowded House. I'll check out that new Steve Earle, I've always liked him and the diversity of his work. Enjoy the break and good luck with the next Europe leg. Sincerely, Robert            

Hi Suzanne,

Saw you in Iowa City Friday night.  Wonderful!  We were the only whole family in the audience with 3 daughters in tow(ages 7--12--14, so I'm glad you explained the spiritual component to "Pornographer's Dream"!) Right after the show, the 7-year-old wanted to meet you, as her name is Ruby.  We told her that you were probably already on the phone with your own Ruby, telling her that you'de be home soon.

Unbidden, unexpected, a tear or two MAY have escaped when you sang "Gypsy".  Twenty years ago, you had me with that song. I've followed your music ever since. Strangely, now, when I hear it after all of these years, it is like listening to a bit of my younger self "blowing by" in song.
But I love your new album--bought it the day it came out.
Thank you for being ever fresh and real; and for giving us your songs for the journey.

I once heard your voice described by a friend as "soft leather"; perhaps I would call it "velvet steel".


Solveig

Love the song Bound.  The live version kicked.  

Very nice portrait inside the hotel (in) New Hampshire.  Best thoughts to Ms. Cornell, whatever may have happened.  Shoeless Joe belongs in the hall fame, I don't care what anyone says.  

Dear Marlene on the road!
I guess part of the fun of this to get as direct feedback as possible
So i was yesterday at the concert in Hamburg and let me say
* Thank you for a great concert! :-) :-)
* You captivate the audience from the first to the last minute,
 and as a matter of fact at the end there is no fatigue which
 one experiences often with other (also great) bands - one would
 love to listen to you for much longer time...(ok it was already
 23h30 but anyway)  
* was thinking what are the special qualities:
 - you and your band are playing ultra-precise (such a precision,
   e.g. of your drummer and the bass player, i have rarely heard in
   a german band)
 - it's great that your songs are often NOT SO VERY LONG -
   that makes them
   very intense...reminds me of the early Elvis or Beatles songs
   which were often only 2:30 long. Reduction to the essential :-)
 - your compositions are often of great harmonic richness and
   complexity
   (like an excellent wine: complex aromas of cherries and vanilla
   mix with...)
   Contemporary pop music lacks often this quality. We need more
   compositions from you :-)

All-in-all a great experience (as exciting as it was
also in april 1986 Audimax Hamburg) and looking forward
to you coming back here soon!

Good luck for the further tour,
Cheers, Olaf

I was at the Brussels gig that almost never was, so a huge thank you for turning up at all, never mind setting up in Guiness book of record time and going on without a soundcheck. And then to play that set! You were all wonderful, but as someone who started playing the bass a year ago, obviously it was Mike who totally bowled me over. Actually at one point I thought, I'm never going to play again, what's the point. But after Blood Makes Noise, I thought, well most professional bass-players are probably green with envy now, so I don't need to feel too terrible!!!!! Thanks for a great evening, you're one of the best live acts around.

"Waters of March" strikes me as being sort of a more extravagant cousin of "Predictions."  David Byrne & Marisa Monte did a nice version of it once.  

Unbound cooks live.  The organic (real) drums and add an awful lot.  Bass line sounds crisp as well.  By the time the band comes back to the States, it should really be groovin'.  

Hi, really touching performance last night in Brussels. After the bus-breakdown it must be for sure a tough gig to play. You all did a great and wonderful job! All that without soundcheck, I still can´t believe how you nailed this awesome show. So thanks for the invitation, I had a fantastic night.
Btw, as a Dylanologist I wonder where I can hear your duet with Vanessa Paradis?!
All the best and greetings to the whole band and crew, hope to see you again soon, cheers from Aachen, Joe.

Hello Suzanne,
You did a real good performance in Brussels.  This all with such simplicity... and with so much deepness, letting us sharing your endless journey in the human soul... thanks for that. Good luck to you and your team

Patrick

Hi Suzanne,

Just some words to thank you veryvery much for the great night I had at your concert in Lausanne on October 17th.
Thanks for your kindness, your jokes, your light, thanks to be real in our more and more virtual world and thanks to have come and performed in this small club close to us.

... what else ... oh yesssss! Thanks a lot for your Great Songsssss! (that are good companions, light and big help when the weather-life is too smoggy...)and your last record-album is just beautiful!

P.S. : sorry making you and your nice team working late that night... but it's also your fault, we had too much fun!

That's all. Wish you all the best !!!

Ah-ha, an opportunity for a theological debate!  

Thomas:  Jesus Christ is coming soon.

Me:  Is not.

Thomas: Is too.

Me:  Is not.

Thomas:  IS TOO

Me: No need to resort to all caps, honestly.  Is not.  

Thomas:  Sorry.  Is too.

Me: Ok, I am convinced by the force of your epistemological, deductive and intuitive arguments.  But I will allow no UN inspectors intoy heart to determine whom or what has or has not been received there.  Women of mass destruction may be found.  

Thomas:  um…repent!  

Me:  I wonder what you meant.  

Saw Suzanne in Boston last month (front row thanks to the presale) and it was great.  I have a question and I know she reads this.
Suzanne - why don't you ever play any songs from Days of Open Hand?  

Hi Suzanne! I'm going to Warsaw on Saturday and I'm looking forward your concert very much! I've been listening to your songs for 15 years and finally I will see you live for the first time. Dreams come true. That's amazing. See you in Poland very soon! Diana from Cracow (Poland)

Suzanne- I loved meeting you and you were very gracious and accepted the CD of my songs. But as much as I liked you before , I now like you as a person. You were so very kind to that young man you spoke to, who gave you some pictures. Also when you told me that you ARE funny sometimes, and that you do have a sense of humour. I was very glad to know that.
So thank you! I have a few pics of us on myspace.com/rickfricano   Please write me sometime and add me as a friend.   Your friend-Rick Fricano

Saw Suzanne last night at the Cadogan Hall, London and she was FANTASTIC! Been a fan for some 20 years and recently been watching her Montreaux Jazz Festival DVD and Royal Albert Hall (1986) concert alot but last night was the first time I've seen her live and she was amazing, thank you Suzanne and I'm going to try get to see you in NY in November!

Alan

I've the pleasure of attending your Madrid performance and would like to congratulate both you and your band for a very special presentation.
This was the first time I have the opportunity of seeing you in person, been a fan since the mid 80's this was an unforgettable experience for me.
Thanks Suzanne

well suzanne no one need to tell you that you are truley beautiful inside out   one thing disturb me the most how come you play in australia and israel is always of the limit come on it is not far as australia and we adure you like aqueen so come be asaint and come to the holy land

I spent a nice evening at your concert in Warsaw. A smaller, more intimate place would be definitely better than Sala Kongresowa which is too big for a concert like that. I would like to listen to your songs while sitting in a cosy club, close to the stage. Anyway thank you for coming to us. I enjoy listening to your songs when I drive a car and some of them, especially Tom's Diner, I use as additional material for my English lessons at school. My students love them. I like your new songs. Angel's Doorway took us back to 11.o9. Thank you Susan, best wishes from Warsaw. This city is a woman - maybe not a very elegant, sometimes moody or even rude but I love it.

I can't tell you how excited I am to attend the show at Rams Head Live this December.  It will be my first live show of yours, and the best birthday present I could ask for!  Such a wonderful place for a fabulous evening.

saw Suzanne last week in Cadogan Hall, for the first time and was moved. Been a fan since I was a teenager and was awfully happy to have a chance to finally see her. Will be looking forward to your next gigs over here, London is not that bad Suzanne :)

 are you nuts?  i am don sanders 28820 st rd 19 atlanta indiana 46031 usa..i think you  should write me...

i think that her songs is simple like my namùe is luka
i'm listening it everytime