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15. 02. 2005 Munich  Tonhalle
Within Temptation

Oh god! Onc e again, I'm in the situation to review a rockband, where spirits seperate as worse as it gets. But just to start with something, I'd say, Within Temptation belong to a so called flavour of the season, which moves inbetween the shadows of Nightwish and others like that. But principly it's the same thing. A mystic female singer with a classical trained sophran voice combined with heavy orientated Goth Metal music, who moves to the rhythm in a damatical way to catch all the attention of the audiance. She's the focus, and everything else is rather pushed in the back, even the huge angel statues left and right hand side of the stage. The strategy is the contrast of the soft but exorcising aura of the girl, combined with the power of Heavy Metal. Both together again melt down to a solid unit. However, they will never get rid of the fact beeing thrown in one pot with Nightwish. Even they most probably don't like to hear that. Yes of course, Within Temptation found their own individual way by following a more mellow and straighter direction. For my taste a little to straight. No edges no curves, if you know what I mean. 

But each way leads to rome as we say so. And in the end you can once again discover all those similarities to their finnish collegues Nightwish. It's difficult to describe it the right way, so you getting my point of view. I guess the true varieties you can only feel, if you've seen both bands live on stage. It's just this famous first impression, which forces you into a certain direction. Some samples interrupt at least my impression. But who cares. Most important is the aura, which jumps from stage on to the fans. And most of all, the almost sold out venue. Right Said Fred is giving a blessing, - okay, just visually of course. And Kate Bush is further away than you think, visually as well as acoustically. And I bet my last shirt, that most of the youngsters in here, have never heard of Kate Bush before. That's why nobody really cares about this coverversion, because nobody got a comparison to understand. 

Within Temptation follow their own way, that's for sure. And they will succeed, at least as long their and Nightwish's music is still, like I said before, flavour of the month. I can only say, use the opportunity boys (&girls) and do as best as you can. Led Zeppelin, The Who, Status Quo and The Rolling Stones - were yesterday..... you are the present - so take your goal, .... because the future will once again be - Led Zeppelin, The Who, Status Quo and .... okay - long talking short sense - Viva the cult status.

                                                                                                

10. 02. 2005 Munich  Muffathalle
Cake





Sometimes I get bands to see, where I ask myself, if my musical understanding doesn't reach the average taste of fans. One of these acts are "Cake". The venue is shaking, because of a sold out house including three generations of people. The youngsters, the young ones and the latter youth. And all together are jumping, stombling, pulling and battling like mad, just to be in front as close as possible. You can call it american-german friendship, - nice and loveable, but killing each other in the first five rows. And what about Cake?!!! They are up there on stage, as if it wasn't their business, with no physical reaction, monotone and no ups and no downs. It's the same with their music, - at least I've got this impression. But I seem to be the only one in here to feel so. That's why I have to dismiss an objectiv review, because my personal sleepingpill impression seems to be a doping drug for the rest of the crowd. However, - Cake have become known because of one song. And this is the coverversion of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive". That's it. the fifth album "Pressure Chief" sounds like the fourth, the third, the second and the first CD. Although, this band must somehow transfer a certain vibe to the kids out there, which does kinda magic on them. 

I only find  the jazz influences interesting now and then , which proves, that the members of Cake can really play their instruments. The bassist, despite the fact, that he seems like a russian cobolt with his fur hat and the trumpet guy are the most curious aspects. Singer and guitarist John McCrea doesn't move his face neither does he get outta control, like I mentioned before, - monotone for me but heavenly for all fans. 

Okay, I confess, I leave the battlefield early. But not before I had ramped my precious camera into the back of an enthusiastic lunatic, who got in front of my focus for some decent pics. every 10 seconds. Bloody nutcase! - I can only say, - viva all photopits in the world, if there are any... - today there's none. I don't catch the encore anymore, but how do we say so?.... "I (still) Will Survive"

                                                                                       

06. 02. 2005 M
unich
Jon Lord




One thing is for sure. Jon Lord ain't able to denie his rocking past completely. I mean, it is wellknown, that the mastro off all classes has always had a favour for classical tunes. But even after finishing the chapter of Deep Purple (it was a hard decicision, as he says so tonight) - and dedicating rest of his life to his other musical loves, this touch of Rock'n'Roll is still taking it's toll.

At the posh atmosphere of the Herkulessaal at the Residence here in Munich, with soundconditions like heaven bells (oh god, when was the last time I could say so at a concert?!!!) - Jon Lord's orchestral suites are even more impressing. Light classic with a modern touch, that's what his music seems like. But it's certainly not light. But thanks to his talents, his knowledge, and excellent musicians surrounding him, these tunes sound more than just sophisticated. Despite all these facts, Lord still has got an electric guitar, a bass a modern drumkit and of course his very own keyboard  on stage beside all classical instruments. And this is the fact, giving the performance some kind of rocking feeling. But it's still the rather quiet melodies, which stand in front. Instrumental pieces are exchanging with some vocal parts performed by an excellent bartune and sopran voice. And Jon Lord himself is playing his best on a beautiful Steinway piano most of the times. Inbetween he entertains the audiance with this typical british humour, explaining the  music, his attitudes and even his split from Deep Purple. Yes,- they are here, - all these Purple Fans from Munich and surrounding. But I can't tell, whether they are happy, with what they are getting here tonight, or if the fans expected something more rocky. But you won't get this at a Jon Lord show. Therefore you can listen to "America" out of Bernstein's "Westside Story" and a brilliant version of Dave Brubeck's "Unsquared Dance", - congratulations Jon! Otherwise the theme is "Pictured Within" and "Beyound The Notes" with tracks like "De Profundis" and "Miles Away" and his mentor Eberhard Schöner.

And he's really receiving it - the standing ovations, thanks to a marvelous performance. But although, Jon Lord will never be the ultimative classical musician. And he never was a 100% rocker in the past. He's an excellent musician, a loner an individual and a first class entertainer. - He is just Jon Lord.... no more comment.