Tickets for Chris Norman's concert were bought by my friend already in the middle of April... And so that day has come. We come to the hall "Oktyabrskiy", passing the tickets check and security guards strictly ask: "Where you have taken tickets, girls? " - "How it's where? Have bought in theatrical cash", - we answered perplexedly. "Pass aside, we'll clear it up". We passed and not only we were there "aside". It appeared that all of us hadn't flyers on the tickets. We felt a bit nervous of course, but then the manager has come and all was resolved in our advantage. So, when you'll buy tickets, ask for flyers. Well, that was a digression from the report theme.

We have passed into foyer where people already were buying up DVDs and CDs, booklets, T-shorts and books. In buffets people were warmed up by cognac, champagne and other strong drinks. The last doors to the hall were opened 20 minutes prior to the beginning.

We had our seats in the 9th row of the right parterre. The hall was full. I don't know how it was on balconies, it was not visible. But according to the shouts from there when Chris had welcomed all the public, everyone there was on place too and they all felt good.

The lights dimed down, white smoke appeared on stage and the man's voice said: "Ladies and gentlemen! Please welcome, live on stage, the Chris Norman Band!!!"

The hall blew up an applause. There came Chris dressed in a black shirt and ragged (to the last fashion) blue jeans. Musicians took their places and a solemn performance has begun... Well, you already know what songs were sung, it is necessary to tell as all was. And here is only my subjective opinion.

It must be said at once that the securities have tried to create rather strained conditions. They walked along the passes and looked out what people were doing on their seats. In fact, video and photo- shooting were forbidden. But I saw how one woman in the first row has filmed on her camera everything that she needed.

To the middle of a concert people started to give flowers, to dance, the audience has liven up. And the securities too. They began to rage and to confine movements in the hall. It was a moment when Chris himself had to stop that actions of securities.

I remember a woman who presented a bouquet to Chris and then kneeled in front of him. (After that she received the sermon from the security). Two girls were sitting near to me. They had prepared a banner and also they waved with some toys and hands. Then one of them presented flowers to Chris. And as the stage is located rather high Chris always had to bend down. But the girl kept her head and clasped the maestro in her arms for his neck and brought him down on the floor with hot kisses. I do not know what Chris felt there laying on a floor but the hall laughed loudly. And I thought, here is a Russian woman... There were not so much flowers but Chris smiled all the time: "О-о-! Flower shop!..." He enjoyed everything around. He kept himself free and easy and was completely dissolved in his music. Continually walked on stage, flirted with the audience and the girls from the band. I even thought that he felt better than anybody in the hall. He breaks away and gets pleasure of it , and we sit here as on a party meeting.

The greatest impression on me did the songs which the musician performed with minimal music accompaniment. His live voice, such a unique, has remained all same! Enormously! As 10...20... 30 years ago! In that minutes the audience quieted down as under hypnosis. How it's all simple. A guitar. A voice. And nothing else. How does he manage to inspire our hearts with magic love to him as well as to life? In front of me I saw the person who is true to his life-work and who sings because he enjoys it. Money and glory are absolutely of no concern. He lives on stage but not plays. This is a measure of mastery.

The concert has flown by on one breath. I even haven't noticed how already found myself at the edge of a stage together with a crowd. Everyone smiling, shouting and clapping. When the lights came on people still stood with such a hope in their eyes, with entreaty: " Well, maybe there will be one more song ... "

But Chris has already disappeared the same way as he has appeared. But the warmth still stayed. Thanks him for his being!

Just to let him know. There are people in Petersburg who always glad to see him and wait for him with impatience, to thank him with flowers, smiles and the "sold out" notice!!!

The concert was one of the best in that tour. Public was in a very cheerful mood, aged basically from 40 and more. The house has been almost full, the audience took everything very warmly. Grand respect to Petersburg's public! Generally speaking at this evening was reached a "gold" balance between vivacity and warmth of spectators, and at the same time, their intelligence and respectfulness to the artists. There was a very pleasant atmosphere!

Before the concert I had a short look to the soundcheck and got to know the set list. I was a bit upset by its brevity (in comparison with winter shows in Germany). Printed the first "Alles klar" was ruthlessly ;-) striked out by Chris's hand... But there was no time to despond as "What Can I Do?" began to sound, and it became the first pleasant surprise and doubtlessly touched my heart. Chris sang it somehow quietly and a bit sadly, without Silson's screaming effort from 70's. The same was at the concert. The intro for this song was long and mysterious, so the audience can not recognize it at once, and only when Joey playes the basic riff the public reacts enthusiastically.

At the concert from earlier unheard songs I was impressed most by “Turn Right, Turn Wrong” and of course by “Sledge Hammer”, ingeniously performed by all musicians (special thanks to Martina!). Also “Heart and Soul” has sounded very beautiful, Chris's voice on it is simply fantastic! It's a pity, that at the further shows this song was not played anymore. Among new things also it is necessary to note the performing of a small part from “Donegan's Gone” by Mark Knopfler (in development of Lonnie Donegan's theme so loved by Chris). Well, and it goes without saying that one of the most powerful items is “Wild Wild Angels”, how Chris sings it!.. Well, he will stay on stage another 50 years being in such a good form!..;-)

There were lots of flowers! Chris all the time repeated something about “flower show”. There was a funny moment when after playing “Without Your Love” Chris was presented a huge armful of flowers. He carried it to his guitarist Joey who is almost «to his belt» and gave it to him, having kissed him into forehead. He carried it all to keybords to Martina and solemnly gave it to her, comically stepping across the stage. "Poor" Martina was rescueed by the roadie who finally carried away all the flowers.

After "Drift Away " there was the next portion of flowers and applause. After that Chris probably touched by warm reception performed the introduction to "Alice" staying on his knees.

Pair-three times women managed to kiss Chris in so called Russian way, embracing, and one time for that Chris had to lay down on his back not to fall down from a stage...;-)

Chris has lifted the audience on their feet early enough, once even having gone down into a hall a bit to let the securities to allow the people to come to stage. But in this hall the stage is very close, i.e. a distance between the first row and the stage is very small, so people have to crowd only in passes. However, that could not prevent them to take pleasure, dance, sing and applaud!...;) The last half an hour the audience has spent on their feet.

When Chris sang Smokie hits under acoustics (If You Think, Baby It's You) actually I had a feeling that his voice has not changed at all since 70's , it's the same, so young and insinuating. He only had added experience and skill to it. Also I have a feeling that Chris looks younger when he sings on stage. On stage he really LIVES!