Everything started Friday night. My girlfriend, Karine, and I were getting ready for our little trip. This trip was the beginning of the four concerts that we were going to attend. We left Montreal at around 8:00 pm towards Toronto. We slept half way from here to Toronto and we arrived in Toronto Saturday at around 2:00pm. We went directly at the place where Roger was giving his concert that night called: "The Guvernment". We arrived exactly at the same time as Roger. I was sure that it was him because there was a huge motor home with a license plate from California. I got to meet Roger and Karuna before the concert. I spoke with Roger for a bit and gave a copy of reviews from the fans that I had printed before I left. He was very happy and appreciated it a lot. Roger also announced to me that Dougie Thomson was going to go to both the Montreal and Quebec concert. I was so happy to hear that news. He said: "You'll get your picture taken with Dougie." I laughed... :-)

Later, I met my friend, Darren and his wife that I had met previously at the last 2 concerts in Toronto. They were the first to be waiting at the door, three hours before the doors were opening. So we decided to wait with them and we talked about Supertramp and Roger all afternoon. It was interesting since I don't get to talk with real fans like me very often. The twin sisters were also there (more true fans). We had lots of fun.

The doors opened at around 6:30pm. We headed right away towards the stage to be in front of Roger. The show started at 7:15pm. When Roger got up on stage the crowd was delirious. I was surprised, however to see that the crowd wasn't as big (they were the smallest crowd in all four shows) but with the crowds enthusiasm you'd swear that there was 10 times as many people.

I can't really tell you the complete "set list" but I can tell you that I was really surprised to hear a new song that I had never seen before. The song is called, "Dead in a Zoo". WOW! What a master piece! It is such a powerful song and Roger, needless to say, puts so much emotion and energy into the song that it gave me shivers. I sincerely hope that Roger can put that song on his next album. It really is a song that you have to hear. I also really liked "Lonely Child" and the slow version of "It's Raining Again" on his Grandma as Roger would call her. His pump organ has such a beautiful sound. Me, as well as all the Internet fans really appreciated listening to "The Garden" live.

I got to talk with a few fans after the concert and everyone agreed that that the concert was absolutely fantastic and without one negative point. All the classics as well as the new songs were amazing. We left right away after the concert to Ottawa.
 

We arrived in Ottawa on Sunday at around 2:00pm before Roger. We decided to wait in a little restaurant near Barrymore's Music Hall (were Roger was playing that night). As we were leaving, Roger was already there on the side walk. He brought us inside to show us what the place looked like and to show us how they set up the stage and to see his sound check. We had the opportunity to talk with him much longer. My girlfriend was completely fascinated with his electric drum when she saw it in Toronto and she went on to tell him that she wanted one now. Roger laughed and told her that she could try it during the sound check. And she did. The stage is set up very quickly (in about 45 min.). When Roger was about to try his drum for the sound check, he looked at Karine and asked her to come up. Roger showed her all the different things that the little drum can do, which is quite impressive. She was very happy and had lots of fun with him.

The concert went very well. There were lots of people and they were also very enthusiastic. During the concert I liked looking at the people's facial expressions while they were looking up at Roger in awe and with such admiration. They were all so happy as they would sing along with Roger. I would look at the people and think to myself that everyone, for a few hours, had forgotten all their worries and problems and let themselves be swept away into another world and cradled by Roger's music. The set list resembled the one in Toronto except that Roger didn't sang "Dead in a Zoo", however he interpreted the complete version of "Fools Overture" in his second requested encore. It was the first time that I ever saw Roger do the whole song. It was really the best moment of the night. Andrew quickly accompanied his father on the electric drum. Roger looked so please and proud of his son. There was nothing else better then to finish off that night and my trip in Ontario with this song.

We left right away after the concert towards Montreal since I had to go to work the next morning and I knew that the drive was going to be long.
 

I was at work Monday morning when I heard that Roger was giving a mini concert in a record store in Montreal. So I went to see my boss to ask if I could leave early and she gave me permission and so I got to see a little show and an autograph session.

Tuesday afternoon, the day of the concert in Montreal, I left to go to Montreal. I was alone because my girlfriend had school. She was meeting me with my family later when the doors were opening. I arrived very early to be able to meet Dougie and watch him do his sound check with Roger.

When I arrived, I saw Andrew Hodgson sitting at a table. I sat near him to talk with him for a bit. We spoke for quite a bit while the technicians were doing the lighting for the show. A little later I saw a person walking towards us, it was Dougie Thomson. He was talking with Andrew. I was listening to them but I didn't want to introduce myself since Roger said he was going to do it. I wanted to wait for Roger.  :-)

Later Roger walked into the concert hall and came face to face with Dougie. They looked very happy to see each other. I was sitting alone at a table looking at them talking to each other. They were slowly walking when Roger suddenly noticed me. He was pointing to Dougie as if to say: "It's him! It's him!". So they started walking in my direction and I was starting to get a little nervous. Dougie already knew who I was because he had already seen my web site. We spoke for a while, Roger, Dougie and I. I really couldn't believe that I was standing there talking with Roger and Dougie. It was like a dream! I never thought that this would ever happened to me. I'm pretty sure that you can just imagine how I felt. It was really special and incredible for me.

Before the show, my family and Karine arrived. My brother-in-law, Guy Marineau, had permission to bring in all of his equipment to take pictures, and he took amazing pictures that you can see at the end of this review. I have to say that the concert in Montreal was the absolute best. Everything was there; the excellent crowd, Dougie Thomson, Fool's Overture, Death in a Zoo... It was a perfect night.

After the concert, I got to introduce my family to Roger and Dougie. My brother-in-law took a few pictures with Roger, Dougie, Karine and I. It was really funny and we had a good time. I'm going to remember this night for ever.
 

We are now the Wednesday morning. I had to wake up early since Roger was giving a mini concert at a music store in Quebec city and I had a three hours road trip in front of me. I was alone because Karine couldn't come because of school. I arrived in Quebec city at around 11:30am and I phoned a friend from my childhood to see if she wanted to come see Roger with me at the record store. She accepted with great pleasure since it had been two years since we hadn't seen each other. Roger didn't end up doing his concert but he did, however, take the time to answer questions and sign autographs and that is when he announced to his fans that his "Hai Hai" album was being re-released. I got to introduce my friend to Roger and take a picture together. I also have a video sequence "Quick Time" that my friend Bernard took. It was really funny... Thanks Bernard!

After having brought my friend back home, I headed towards the concert hall, Le Capitole. When I arrived, Roger, Karuna, Shawn (Roger's manager), and Dougie were eating out on the terrace. I stayed with them for a little while until Dougie asked me if I had already seen the concert hall. I told him that I hadn't and he so he showed me around. I got to go in with the whole crew and I have to say that Le Capitole is a very nice place. Very luxurious and well decorated. I got to assist, once again at the sound check.

The concert went very well and the crowd really appreciated the show. The set list resembled the one in Montreal. Roger sang his classics as well as some new songs during the first half of the show, and during the second half he took some requests. Andrew also sang his song, Melancholic. This happened every night. The only difference that I saw between the Montreal show and the Quebec one was the crowd. The crowd participated a little bit less then in Montreal during the songs (Rick's part).

After the concert, I talked with Roger, Dougie, Shawn, as well as the technical crew. I said my good-byes to everyone because it was now time to head back home. I was a little sad about saying leaving because I would really like to have followed Roger to the United States, but I had no more money. :-(  I have to cheer up though because Roger is coming back in July!!!
 

When I got home, I realized how lucky I was. I knew that this trip was going to be special, but this was much more then what I was hoping for. Watching Roger and Dougie play together 5 feet away from me was very special and emotional for me. The last concert in Quebec city was my seventh time seeing Roger perform in less then a year, and this is without counting the four mini concerts. After all these concerts, I can allow myself to say that Roger really is one of the best and biggest musicians of all time. It isn't only because of his voice and his talent, but it is also because of his kindness and love that he has for his fans. He is always happy to listen to his fans and answer their questions.

To Dougie: That was very great to meet you in Montreal and Quebec. You are a nice man and a great bass player. I hope to see you again on stage.

To Roger: Thank you again Roger for these great moments. You are the best and I hope to see you soon.