CASA DE CARNE Bergen, Norway 08 August 2008 - Meat Loaf -- The President's Forum

I've searched in vain to find a press review of the Bergen show, but in a published interview which I've found and translated I discovered this statement:

"NRKHordaland.no has chosen not to cover the concert in Grieghallen, because, in our opinion, the artist placed unreasonable restrictions on the press photographers just before the concert. "

I take this to be Meat's usual restriction that they may only take photos during the first three songs .. something he does imo because he knows they obstruct the views of his fans in the front rows, as well as distracting him in his performance.

However, here is the interview:

One of rock's biggest, in all meanings of the word, brings Bat Out Of Hell to the Grieghallen on Friday 8 August.

I push my self to the max every time. Sometimes I hit the target I'm aiming for, sometimes I don't. But I never play it safe" said the 60 year old rocker.

Even if ballads have given him his biggest hits in recent years, Meat Loaf promises a dramatic display of explosive and over the top rock on Friday.

"I won't be taking you on a quiet walk. When I appear on the stage, you get absolutely everything I have - every drop of my feelings, absolutely everything I am able to give. This also applies to my band. They are a phenomenal group, "says the 60-year-old rocker from Dallas, Texas.

"Bat Out Of Hell III," which was released in 2006, received mixed reviews and it would be easy to judge it as a failure in comparison with the other two discs in the trilogy, which have sold 37 and 20 million copies respectively. But the man behind it is by no means unhappy.

"In today's record market it is a success to to sell four million copies of an album. Of course, there will be some who look at the other two and say that "Bat III" sucks, but it has sold gold and platinum everywhere, except where I never sell records: France" says Meat Loaf.

Next week's concert should actually have taken place last year, but was abandoned because of serious voice problems. At the last concert on his previous tour, in Newcastle, Meat Loaf reached a point where he could not sing a note. In despair, he took off his jacket, thanked the aidience for their support for over 30 years and left the scene - forever, as he said at the time.

Fortunately was not that bad, but Meat Loaf remembers that he was there and at the time he feared his career was over.

"It broke my heart to have to cancel last year's show here, I was terrified actually. The reason was that I had developed a cyst on my vocal chords, just like Julie Andrews did. She was operated on, and has never sung since. And she is by no means the only one who has experienced it. Steven Tyler of Aerosmith had the same thing and he was terrified too.

But fortunately it went well, and my voice is in great shape. People say I'm singing better now than I have in 15-20 years. Many artists who have held on as long as me bring their songs down a key to reach the high notes. I continue to sing in the same key."

The concert in Bergen is the only one in Norway on this tour, and the first time Meat Loaf has visited Western Norway's capital.

"I remember almost every show I've done. The first time I was in Scandanavia was in Oslo in the 80s, probably in 1987. The only thing I remember is that it was in a very strange little bar. The next time was in a large concert hall. It was an OK show. Not great, but not that bad.

The problem is that I always want it to be fantastic. I remember the good concerts, but I remember even more than those that haven't been so good. People just don't realise how much it bothers me. When I feel that I have disappointed fans, go back to the hotel room and cry. The audience's is everything! They deserve the best, and I'll do all I can to give them that. When I don't manage it, it destroys me. "I am being very honest with you, it is absolutely true." Meat Loaf told our reporter.

What do you know about Bergen?

Nothing earth shattering, jokes the Texan.

Meat Loaf is said to be a big fan of the English football team Hartlepool United, even if as he himself says it all started as a joke. But he has met the team.

"You may have heard of Martin Hollund and Jan Ove Pedersen?" he says. Both fine players who have played for Hartlepool. " See there, I actually did know something about Bergen!" laughs 60-year-old.

When he hears the list of major artists who are appearing in Bergen, Meat Loaf almost speechless, and says that he would love to be at two of the concerts himself.

"Robert Plant and Alison Krauss will probably be quite amazing .. how good, does it get? I would give anything to see the two perform together. Foo Fighters as well. I do not like a lot of current music music, but I saw them in January and they blew me away. Fantastis band!" said Meat Loaf.

Another thing he remembers well, is the food he is served on the various locations. He recalls the chicken noodle soup he had in Berlin recently. He wants the same in Bergen on Friday.

"John Bon Jovi and I are good friends, and he eats chicken noodle soup before every concert. I love his shows, and thought I should try the same thing."

What is the worst thing you've been given? "Hell, it was in Omaha, Nebraska for a few years ago. We had ordered local catering, and we had invited the mayor for dinner. The day before, it had been the big White Pudding Day in Omaha. And what do you think we got served by the catering company? White pudding! It's pretty disgusting at any time, but this was the worst we've ever had! So we ended up ordering Chinese take-away for the band and the mayor."says Meat Loaf.

This year's tour is called "The Casa de Carne" - ."The House of Meat" . And the aging star promises a spectacular show at Bergen.

"The people of Bergen can expect the unexpected. We go straight from the hard rock to comedy, and then back to the very, very serious. And I constantly make change in the shows. Those who come to hear the songs as they are on the records should stay at home. This is all about having fun. I shall throw a great party in Grieghallen", promises the 60-year-old.

And from the reviews from people who have attended which I've seen posted on other forums .. he delivered!!

-- Edited by Caryl at 04:08, 2008-08-11