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25.
01. 2005 Munich Elserhalle
ASIA / Barclay James Harvest
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Eieiei,
the start of the highly announced Germany tour of Asia and Barclay
James Harvest, or better what's left of it, - how shall I say, - went
somehow simply down the drain. Somehow, nothing is like it should be.
And all these clichee's about tour-technical handycaps became true
tonight. The infamous worm in the matter feeds himself, not in woods,
but through the night and logistic details. It's starting at a
twisted time schedule, which results into a one hours delay, and goes
along with technical sound problems, which again seem to
influence Asia that much, that their musical performance is not really
what it's usually like and ends after just one hour. I was told, there
was a third band in the very beginning as well, one, nobody really
knew, and just took too much time of the whole event. Lucky you, who
first attended the scene, when Asia hit the stage, and immidiately
slitter into the next irritation. No, Geoff Downes, John Payne, Chris
Slade and Guthrie Coven are certainly brilliant musicians, no doubt
about that. But if one of them is suffering from a cold, the other
from a uncomfortable jetlack and some human mixed up moods, the fact
of a translation to the audiance is almost not to avoid. The point is,
the audiance doesn't know all these aspcts and handycaps to understand
the lack of the performance. Apart from that, Asia's setlist contain
only songs of the very first and the very new album, and many fans
miss some wellknown tracks of the annals of the british artrock
band. And the dot on the i, as we say in german, is the just
mentioned - too short set. No, not one second longer, because
Mr.Holroyd wants to hit the stage by time with his version of Barclay
James Harvest. And he's enjoying the headliner monopole, not Asia. So,
- no encoure is included, but therefore at least the over all standing
hymn "Heat of The Moment". And lets be honest, this song
will go along with the band 'till the end of their days. I can only
say: get better Geoff, John and one more beer less - Guthrie and never
loose your humor - Chris. And next time, please come back alone, with
your usual energy, and a better mood. Only then, the heat of the
moment will be back again. - And be honest and name the words, it's
just this, we are all waiting for in the very end. - Steely Dan give
their blessing - You know what I mean - John! |
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every bet, that at least half of the audiance here, first of all have asked themselves, who the hell is Barclay James Harvest presently exept Les Holroyd. As we all know, this cult group (cult - at least whats up to Germany) has seperated some years ago, and shortly afterwards came back in two different versions, including each one or two original members. What's left of it, is here tonight having only Les Holroyd fronting this ensemble. It was him, it is him, but the others, - well alright they belong to him. Musically a little better structured than Asia before, BJH fight themselves through a set, which celebrates mainly the historical stations of thoses softies with the typical mild extravaganca. Man of us are here remembering at this BJH concert still with the orinal musicians six or seven years ago, just round the corner at the Colosseum, which was so great and well done. For myself I can only say, that there is no comparison to, what's going on today. And Les Holroyd's rather posh attitude seems more and more coinciding with his age. Like I said, musically surely alright, but first of all, my search of seat went down the drain, and the look to my watch became constant. - And all I can say, my attitude hasn't changed within the past 20 years what's up to a great show. A session is only good, when you don't feel your legs and you don't count the time, no matter what's happening up there on stage. Am I right or not. - Life is for living - how true, - but not tonight in each way. |
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24. 01. 2005 M
unich Garage|
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You
know, what Multi-Culti is? No? - Okay,- this is a voice like Ronnie
James Dio multiplicated with Joe Lynn Turner and divided by Ian Gillan,
okay, at least sort of. An accent, which is competing with a scottish
highland-ghost and a figure, which reminds me fairly at my old love
Johnny Van Zant of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Only the funny little nose, give
the personality of Dougie White this individuell note. No, actually he
is quite a character - on stage as well as off stage. And what's up to
the vocal similarities with one or the other named artists explain his
past stop over at Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, - even it was just a
short stint for one album. Jesus wept, our eyes are splashing a few
teardrops, at least all these Blackmore fans in here, when Mr.
White and his Cornerstones remind us neatly at sunny Rainbow days, but
also getting us back immidiately down to the ground and here and
now as well. The facts look small, round and very lively. And with his
witty spirit, his aura and little hideaway belly Dougie is proving us
perfectly, that he is as good as his famous collegues. I mean, the
scot boy ain't that unknown anymore in the scene, because of his, just
before mentioned stint in Rainboy, but also because of his job with
Yngwie Malmsteen. And to be honest, big names help a lot to get a big
one for yourself. |
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