Live: Sala Kongresowa, Warsaw, Oct. 6 2009
For more on this date, see our In Poland section.
"Yay, much water passed in all the rivers of the world before Basia returned to sing in Sala Kongresowa.
"I have to say I was slightly worried how these acoustic versions will sound in such a huge concert hall. I wanted them to have success! Far too much emotive I have to say!
"In the entrance hall we spotted Urszula Dudziak! Then in the concert hall we spoke a few words to Marek Niedzwiecki - he was very very nervous - he was supposed to say few words of intro.
"The hall (capacity of about 2800 ppl) was filled in about 80-85%. People were coming quite late I must admit and then there were some few nervous minutes of waiting, before Marek came out saying that we have waited for her come back to Sala Kongresowa for 15 years and 15 minutes. Then our lovely team of 5 appeared and Basia joined them few seconds later.
"The list of songs was more or less as in the Pizza on the Park gigs - just juggled a bit.
"After "It's that girl again" sounded I felt the power of witnessing a concert in a real concert hall. Pizza on the Park shows were fantastic for their intimacy and great musically and vocally too, but they were just gigs. While in Sala Kongresowa it was a real concert! The hall has great acoustic conditions and the songs got their new sound - as if the entire picture just got the proper frame.
"I loved it and enjoyed it very much! Of course it was different than the show from 15 years ago but what I was afraid would be a weakness appeared to be a strength! It was much more personal I think.
"People - a bit dreary at the beginning, seemed to have lots of fun after some songs.
"I have to mention Annick's solo in "From now on" - what a voice - I've heard people commenting on it too after the show - and especially in Kongresowa where the sound had much more depth, it sounded great!
"When they came for encore someone from the audience shouted "Basiu, Basiu, Basiu!" - when she asked "What" the voice (I wonder if it was one of the Alibabki ladies) shouted - "We love you and we are so proud of you!" Basia was very moved and she sang "Yearning" with tears in her eyes. Encore 1 were "Yearning" and "Promises" but after that the crowd applouded so much that they returned once again to end the show with "Reward." Also in between the encore songs a beautiful bunch of roses were passed by the people from the audience! I can imagine how tired she was, but she seemed also very very happy.
"Unfortunately strictly forbidden to take photos - I just have few from the end of the show - but anyways - that allowed me to enjoy the show. There were several professional photographers at the beginning - so I hope some of their photos will appear soon.
"Apparently the show was recorded!!! Yay :-)" - Krysia Szurek