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13. 05. 2005 Munich, Metropolis
Soulsirkus

Ladies & Gentlemen, - it's gonna get difficult for me! How do I review a live performance of a band, who's only album I don't like at all. But I'm gonna try to get it right - somehow.

1) Soulsirkus is judged only on one aspect - Neal Schon. And this guy is, as we all know, usually with the group "Journey", who adopted the name Melodic Rock for themselves from the very beginning. And then there is long nothing. The result is 90% Journey fans beeing here tonight, hoping to get a few Journey tunes as well within the Soulsirkus set. Wrong! Because exept one single cut presented by frontman Jeff Scott Soto, they won't get anymore of that here.
 
2) Soulsirkus consist of four individuals, each of them owning a huge ego. To combine these four to a unit is almost impossible. But they can manage to a certain limit. The advantage of this explosive cocktail is the fact, that the actuall songs move to the background of awareness, thanks to a brilliant performance on an artistical high level. To describe it in particular: Neal Schon is a true genius on his guitar, a real star under the rather poor limelight. Jeff Scott Soto, a musician, who is dancing on a 1.000 weddings at the same time, and he's one of the most active singers (physically) in the world. Marco Mendoza, we all know him from Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake, where his performance was reduced to a certain constent. But here, wauwww.... the man really shows his talents, beeing a great bassist ut also a charismatic showman with a lot of humour. Yep Marco - you can leave your hat on... in the truest sense of the meaning. This man is good. And the eyes of some girls get sparkling like under the christmas tree. - Last but not least - the rhytmsection on drums. Virgil Donati certainly belongs to the upper class of drummers, usually playing with Steve Vai. And don't get a wrong impression of him, looking like - he just had a good sleep. 
To be honest I don't tell ya too much with all these description of this absolute perfect line up, - where it is not even sure, if there will be future. The name Soulsirkus is still to unknown, the egos too big and the record.... - okay I let you decide. Perfectly produced and a great musicianship. It's only the songs itselves which lets uns journalist geta bit weary. To be honest, it didn't catch me, - sorry boys. But I hope, I still got it right in a way.

3) ...and to get it straight: Soulsirkus live again - yes please! Another record - not really! And we are still waiting for Journey to hit Europe. Or Steve Perry will be back again, - maybe together again one day.... who knows. Sucess and Money were good reasons for some other artists to get back together for a reunion or whatsoever..... But let's wait and see what's gonna happen next.....



Diary Aftershow-Shots





                                                                                                   

12. 05. 2005 Munich  Freudenhaus
Poco



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Many of us will be thinking now: I've heard this name before. - Yes of course, you know the name. There's only a little difference. Compared to Europe, Poco still have kinda cultstatus in the United States, while over here, mainly combine the group with the name of Eagles guitarist Timothy B.Schmit, who once was with them in the Seventees. But behind Poco there is much more than this. Poco are the so called parents of the Eagles. Randy Meissner once was a member of the band as well before he moved over to the Eagles. He than was replaced by T.B.Schmit, who left Poco. Got me? Never mind.... Fact is: Poco are still alive with original members Rusty Young and Paul Cotton. And yes, - Bassist Jack Sundrud istt with 'em since 1985. However, it's been more than 15 years, that Poco have been to Europe last time. Too long ago for my taste. But how lucky we are, that the only gig in Germany now - happens coincidentaly in Munich. Why? - I don't know. But I wouldn't ask anyway.

Our Freudenhaus-venue here ain't really crowded, but at least about 200 souls found their way here tonight to re experience nostalgic moments with songs like "Rose of Cimarron", "Crazy Love" and "Heart Of The Night" or "Indian Summer" and "Ghost Town". Some technical problems in the beginning didn't harm the magic antique aura of the moment. This four Oldies didn't forget how to play, and they still do it very well -  after all these years. No to be honest, Rusty Youngs performance on the steel guitar has even improved ver the decades. And most important aspect: you can feel their fun to play. Okay, maybe the physical condition hasn't got the dynamic of the past, and to be honest - for me personal, I missed a bit the pepper in the performance. But Poco - howsoever - have always been a mellow party with a lot of feeling and melody, spiced with a touch of Country.... No, we can't complain tonight. Whoever loves the Eagles, and who knows Poco from the past, will be happy here. And let's be honest, who knows when Poco come over here next time - if - ever at all again.... A Livealbum is due soon, which you can order via the official Website. And just let's hope, that the indian summer is gonna last, because Poco surely belong to american's history of Rock'n'Roll.
PS: I presume, I increased the general musical knowledge  of some of you readers, didn't I?!!!