It seems like half a lifetime ago that I walked into Mitsubishi Electric Halle in Düsseldorf to hear Jacob Collier.  Sadly, I had a “tripus interruptus”.

I was excited.  I had watched two stunning YouTube videos of Jacob performing magic with the audience.  Here I am in front of the hall, with a song in my heart and a delicious pizza in my tummy:

This was going to be amazing.  Jacob would be directing us as a choir, pulling four or more harmonies from us as he sang the melody.  We were ready.

I enjoyed talking to the couple beside me before Jacob came onstage.  They were from the northern part of Germany.  The conversation was easy and lilting.  After awhile, a message appeared in my head: “Ask them how German people today feel about Hitler and the Nazis.”

Ouch.  That was too dangerous, said I.  But another I asked the question, admitting to them that I was scared.  They were so open in their replies, reflecting on the sadness and a lingering guilt in the background, even though neither of them were alive during World War II.

And then Jacob.  As his heart opened and invited ours to join, I drank in the sea of humanity before me:

Marvelous.  They’re singing.  They’re together … along with me.  What can be created in the world with such union?

There were many magic moments for me during the two hours.  And much disappointment as well.  Some of the music was too loud, more noise than melody, with multi-coloured strobe lights on the edge of assault.  And sometimes far too much ego from Mr. Collier in my opinion.

Usually concerts are not a complete field of bliss for me.  There are moments that linger in my soul.  As it was with Jacob.

He gave us an exquisite rendering of “I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You”.  We sang.  I videoed it but so far Jetpack tells me that it won’t play.  (Sigh)

The last note stays in my heart.  Seven thousand of us singing “You”.  I pray that you get to hear the moment.  If the video doesn’t play for you, I’ll try sending it again later in the day.

The postscript to all this was a nausea that grew during the latter part of Jacob’s concert.  Food poisoning later took me over.  I thank God that it exploded well after the concert, well after we sang “You”.

So here’s the video.  My fingers are crossed.