When I first learned that Pride of Lions was going to perform in Spain, I booked by flight from Amsterdam to Barcelona right away.  Nothing was going to keep me from seeing them again.  I had the pleasure of meeting Toby four months earlier (when Pride was performing in France) and was totally blown away by his passion as a singer.  Not only was I going to see another awesome show, but Barcelona also held a special place in my heart.  That is where my father was born and I was looking forward to visiting the country again.  So with great anticipation I hopped on the plane Thursday morning (April 1) and headed out to catch Jim's and Toby's gig that evening at a club called Sala Ambar.  

The evening started of with the Hard Dreams a local band playing some really cool AOR songs.  This was my first time hearing them and I must admit they were very good.  When the time came for Paco Jimenez to introduce the Pride of Lions the place went crazy.  From that point on the rest of the evening became some what of a burr to me and so I'm not sure of the correct order of the song list.  From their debut cd they performed:  It's Criminal, Gone, Sound of Home, Music & Me and Unbreakable.  And of course a show wouldn't be a show without Peterik performing a few oldies from the Survivor catalog:  I Can't Hold Back and The Search Is Over.

Jim also surprised the crowd with another old classic Heavy Metal.  I was astonished to find that a lot of the fans didn't even know that Jim wrote Heavy Metal.  Toby has a style of his own and when you hear him, you almost forget it was originally done by Sammy Hagar.  When it was time for the Pride of Lions to perform their last number in the set, Jim invited Hard Dreams back on stage and they rocked the place with Eye of the Tiger.   I knew Toby could reach those high notes but having the singer of the Hard Dreams join in on EOT made the tune even more powerful.  They did a fantastic job with both sharing the lead vocals.  What was amazing to me was hearing the Spanish fans singing all the songs in English.  That was so cool and I think it even took Jim by surprise.

When the show was over the fans couldn't get enough of Pride and started screaming "otra, otra, olee, olee".  After a few minutes they reappeared and sang two more numbers:  The Last Safe Place and to end all shows a blazing finish with Rockin into the Night.  What a fantastic show!!!  One of the best I have seen in years and probably the best of 2004.  Jim and Toby were electrifying and the Spanish fans are without a doubt the greats fans of AOR music.

That whole evening was a musical event that will stay with me for a long time.  But what will stand out in my mind is Jim's dedication of his beautiful new ballad Black Ribbons to the people of Spain in wake of the Madrid train bombing.  Even though I knew the lyrics, hearing the music live stirred up some emotions in me and I wasn't alone.  I have never seen an audience react so strongly to a song.  There wasn't a soul there that night that wasn't effected by Jim's words.  It was just incredible.  As Jim and Toby stood on stage during the five minute standing ovation, it was clear they were both stunning at the reaction they received.  We all know that Jim's a great songwriter, but writing Black Ribbons has once again proven his talents can't be compared to anyone.  Jim you're the best.