Four friends we decided to travel from Barcelona to Collado Villalba (Madrid) by car to attend the concert of Roger during the weekend. In the evening and taking a walk by the town near the hotel we listened in the distance floating in the air the notes of "Hide in your shell" sung by Roger. What a surprise ! we were far from the venue (outdoor sports area), in the other side of the freeway, but we were able to listen it clearly. Also we heared The Logical song. So we went towards there and we met some friends from diverse parts of Spain, around 15 people, in the soundcheck. A great scene in the middle of a esplanade, with row seats in front of the stage and stands in lateral and back. Fortunately we could enjoy the soundchek seated in front of Roger, and even he dedicated to us a fragment of an unpublished song, "The awakening". Also he requested our collaboration with our clapping to prove the return of the audience's sound, as he does it sometimes. It was a funny moment, we all clapping and screaming with energy ..... Other songs that I remember, and that he didn't play in the concert were "Don't you wanna get high" and "Only because of you". After the soundcheck Roger spoke to me about the excellent sound that pleased much to him. Good equipment and speakers. It really sounded very well, powerful, clear and no echoes as no having buildings around. We went back to the hotel and few friends enjoyed a "private concert" in a room thanks to Pedro (The Roger's role in the Logical group) playing lots of Supertramp's songs with his new 12 strings guitar, singing we all together, nice warm up for the concert ..........

The concert of Roger began around 11pm and he played for about hardly one and a half hour since there were three concerts in the same evening: the Dutch saxophone player Candy Dulfer in the first place and the "Blues Brothers" after Roger's show, and that fact limits the time of each show. The welcome of the audience was extraordinary, even the people was acclaiming Roger before the show. Rooooger, Roooger,......... Apart from the row seats, much people like us were standing up in front of the scene and the corridors. What a fantastic atmosphere and Roger was in a really good shape. It was a solo show, Roger played his habitual keyboard (Korg Triton), a grand piano and his 12 strings guitars. The audience was acclaiming Roger between all the songs (making him to wait start playing some times....), clapping enthusiastically, and Roger was very glad with the welcome. Some people around me attending their first show of Roger were really touched. That's magic.

The people sung and had fun mainly the old hits of Roger in Supertramp, and I hardly heard the voice of Roger sometimes in "Dreamer" and other hits since everybody in the audience was singing !!! ..... the fact is we had fun :o) The voice and playing of Roger was superb. Wow.

Most of the songs were well known Supertramp, but he also performed "Lovers in the wind" from his first solo album and an unpublished song "Keep the Pigeons warm". For the people who have gone to other concerts of Roger perhaps the surprises were "A soapbox opera" and "if everyone was listening" that he usually does not play quite often, but are on my favorites. Due to the fact of playing alone, people clapped the rhytm and sung the pieces of Rick, that amused and helped Roger. The climax of the show was, no doubt, It's raining again and Dreamer, everybody singing and jumping :o) and last number Give a little bit. Everybody "gave" much that nigth.

Roger spoke to the audience several times between the songs and was touched for the welcome and support, we saw him happy. He told it me after the concert, the great connection between the Spanish people and his music. That's great ! I saw the audience really surrended and heard very positive comments. The previous concert of Roger in Spain was five years ago (again Madrid) so Roger was desired. For many people it's the music of their childhood, adolescence or youth, our soundtrack in our lifes. It has something touches the people deeply and you can feel in tune with that person who transmits peace and affection to you. For many people was a magical night.

Some people missed the lack the support of a band, but it was a last minute appointment (they received the invitation one month before) so no time for more. There are plans for an European tour next year and possibilities for Spain too. Cross my fingers......

Thanks Roger !