I’d like to thank the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame and our fans. This is your victory.

— Axl Rose (@axlrose) December8, 2011

Shots I took on my point-and-shoot camera at Axl’s Gn’R show in Hamilton, Ontario (November, 2011.)

A special week in late June when two of the most distinctive voices in soul history made separate, but equally important appearances in Toronto. Ms. Aretha Franklin and Sade made rare concert stops in the city. Online music news site Manifesto.ca asked to use photos I shot at the shows. Was thrilled to see my shots end up in beautifully penned reviews (coincidentally, by a friend) – Mindbender Supreme.

On Aretha Franklin’s show kicking off the 2011 Toronto Jazz Festival;
“It was truly something reminiscent of the arrival of royalty: it was like the musicians had to lay a bed of sonic rose petals, orchids and chrysanthemums down before the Queen would even set foot down in the court of the crowd and concert. Honestly, for any other artist, it would have been a tedious display of pretentiousness. But on this occasion, it actually felt proper.” – SEE MORE.

On the magical Sade show at Air Canada Centre;
“Sade. Ooh, let me say it again, just because it’s so sensual: SADE. Her name alone is nothing short of holy in many music lovers’ hearts. She eternally floats in the pantheon of immortal soul vocalists, artists that create above and beyond the confines of time, space, and the plastic parameters of the music industry.” – SEE MORE.

Sade has always been one of those artists that fascinates me. She is considered reclusive and very rarely gives press interviews. Sade quickly released four multi-platinum albums during the eighties – then almost as quick, she practically disappeared from public view and has released just two more records during the last twenty years.

The wait was worth it as Sade gave a mesmerizing two-hour performance with her very tight band. Sade started the evening in stiletto heels but my mid-performance to the end, it was bare feet.

I just had my point-and-shoot camera so it was fun again to challenge myself to try and get the best shot possible (all photos Richard Budman.)

I was quickly reminded of something when pulling out the camera – it’s far more challenging finding good picture composition for a thirteen piece band, than when shooting solo artists. In the case of the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, I discovered being very close to the stage (the usual hotspot for capturing artists best) would not prove to be the ideal shooting location on this evening.
I started side-stage left. But having the band leader’s back to me (on piano) just wasn’t working.
When moving to first-row, centre stage – it took about a second for me to realize I just wouldn’t be able to capture a full band shot. You might have gotten something cool if you were shooting with a 10mm fish-eye lens, but I had nothing wider than my 35mm Nikon prime – no way I would get a full-band shot from this spot.
Spent a few minutes catching some close up stuff while I was in the front-row, but was anxious to move onto a better shooting spot.

We next tried side stage-right, almost behind the band. An interesting spot. But I still wasn’t completely satisfied.
When I got to centre stage, from the back of the main tent, I could start to feel we were getting closer to right spot to capture the band.
BINGO! Centre stage, about ten rows back felt like the right spot to capture the full band. Sometimes it’s too packed in shows to afford the luxury of moving around like I did for the Spanish Harlem Orchestra tonight. But the lesson on the night for me is if the shots aren’t feeling right and you’re not happy with the composition – move around in the venue and find other shooting spots.