As beautiful as it may be, it all sounds irritatingly portentous to me. She sounds incredibly precious, and no matter how good she is, needs to realize that she owes her position to the audience who pay to see her. And while it might be understandable to ask for phones to be turned off, threatening to walk off stage in front of a paying audience should one ring is just far too self involved. Much like Morrisey and his ‘wont’t perform within site or smell of a meat-selling restaurant/ stall’ policy.

Give it up, Hope, you’re not that important.

No, by all means give her a good review if she deserves it, Alan, of course! I just think, regardless of the good stuff she comes out with, she really has to re-think her almost fascist attitude to performing live. As much as I don’t think people should have their phones on in a gig like this, either, I think the embarrassment when one goes off and getting evil-eyed for the rest of the gig is more than enough.

It reminds me of the teacher who punishes the entire class when one person doesn’t do their homework. And I mean that in the sense that she treats everyone like kids, too. She’s gone much too far, and storming off stage etc. is just a bit pathetic really.She didn’t do it in this show, so you’re absolutely right not to give her a bad review over it .

I don’t think sitting quietly in the dark for an hour is too much to ask from any audience. Especially when said audience were treated to a night of hypnotic, intoxicating music. Music that at times became more than the sum of its parts and entered into the domain of high art, yes music does that sometimes (re: AnneM). Excuse the hyperbole, but on a few occassions the combination of O’Ciosoig’s blistering drum workouts, Sandoval’s Glockenspiel noodlings and the haze of guitar gave a transcendent effect. On the subject of whether people were more interested in watching Miss Sandoval rather than listening to the sounds, she could barely be seen due to the minimal stage lighting. Good review Alan.

Having encountered ms sandoval and her “entourage” on the tour,i’m inclined to agree with both AnneM’s and Johhny’s comments..i don’t agree entirely on the “ice cold” voice,i think she does have a good singing voice,but personally i found it to be a bit too affected and not my cup of tea for long term listening,so i won’t be buying the cd,the light show wasn’t bad though and god knows it is seriously needed to liven up the visual impact of the gigs because not a lot going on there without it!
i can only imagine what a stifled yawn the show would be otherwise as natural performers they are not ! no charisma in sight..methinks the reverent following of fans have bought into the image of the artist which is of course different from the reality of the person behind it and unfortunately that shows in the flesh eventually..no matter how rose tinted the glasses are ! and judging by the reviews of the new york shows on the brooklyn vegan site it would seem that a lot of fans have had their hope sandoval balloon well and truly burst by the lady herself,i don’t think i’ve ever seen such harsh comments from fans about a gig.

However as far as being “surrounded by minnows and yes men” from what i have witnessed i would say that is a spot on observation,how else could someone continue to throw hissy fits otherwise ? the only thing i could add to that is perhaps, that from what i can gather the minnows and yes men are generally swimming in a pool of alcohol etc,and a very small pool at that ! but i’m sure it’s required to take the sting out of being at someone’s beck and call whilst allowing them their “whims” on a tour,it can’t be entirely pleasant,
i wonder do they show their wives/partners/girlfriends/boyfriends the same patience and adoration ?