It
always fascinates me again and again, when I watch this old musicclips
on video or DVD, where the musicians celebrate the Beat, and later the
Flower Power era with lots of hair and hippiestyle and present their
music with serious faces. A music, which is antique for sure, but has
never been forgotten over all those decades inbetween and has been
transfered to a new generation. And let's be honest, if these songs
would not have been written, our whole musical landscape would look a
bit different. But over all, I find most fascinating , when I watch one
of those guys in his early twenties on the screen singing the blues with
all the power he's got and his individual philosophy and within a
few hours later, the same man is standing opposite me, only with the
little difference - it's 25 years inbetween. And though the tooth of
time has taken it's toll what's up to the visual aspect, the attitude
hasn't changed. Mike Harrison of Spooky Tooth is one of those species.
Despite the white short hair, only the face expression, which tells me a
long and exiting life story and this special formed lips let me believe
- yes it's him. Eyes don't lie. And he is still the same, very
energetic, full of power and very lively indeed.
at least the top of the nose is still
the same....
That's what I get to see tonight and 250 more
people. What a pity, because this band here plays the Blues at it's
best. This is a species of musicians, which hardly seem to still exist.
Most of all Alex Conti, who got himself a name in the seventies with a
band named Lake often compared with Steely Dan. And I'm still pretty
much convinced, that Lake is the best band, Germany has ever had. And
the prove is right here right now up on stage - Alex Conti, who
still belongs to Germany's best guitarists. Unfortunately only fans from
the past and insiders know about this. And believe me, he didn't forget
anything. Whatever he plays, some of our youngsters would get jealous
about this. But it's the harmony and this playing together with
the others. Gert Lange - what a voice. It's unbelievable and made for
the blues. But what is all the talking .. You've gotta see this here to
share my exitment. The Blues doesn't get only played here, it's
officially alive and played with so much fun, - it's unbelievable.
|
so much fun
playing live, ain't it...?!
|
...what a
voice...!!!
|
To
make the whole thing round, we got Clem Clempson of Colosseum and
Mike Harrison of Spooky Tooth here as special guests. And yes it's worth
it.
Clempson needs a little help in form of some additional
notes. Never mind, his talents does the rest. Harrison is the dot on the
i. He give the event this special little something, the additional drive.
And in combination with Conti and Co. the appearance devolpes quickly
into a dance on a vulcano.
Old Spooky Tooth songs experience a second spring and sound more modern
than some of the current chart breakers. And soon you get the impression,
that the blues is more up to date than ever. What a shame the media and
industry mostly have a different vision.
Never mind, fact is, up there is the living prove, that the blues is not
dead yet, Oldies are still Goldies and Lake and Spooky Tooth have
reformed. And yes Mike, we have met before. But unfortunately it wasn't
in 1969, when you looked like a young god, and god damn I was only 7
years young. It must have been during the past few years.
But as we say so, you always meet twice in life. Maybe even a third time
- who knows!
Long live the Hamburg Blues Band and the eternyl youth which is called -
Rock'n'Roll
And again I waste a final word to the
supportband tonight. Boogie Stuff is pseudonym, which garantees the
continuation of this musical heritage. Three young musicians, who
believe in what they are doing and they reflect this perfectly. Yep of
course, beeing the support you've never got the best positon and
conditions, and you fight with the local sound and light mixture. But
you can't change that. But those guys from Bavaria and Austria show that
they've got the talent, most of all, what's up to the guitar playing.
And I'm pretty sure, with a little luck and if they play their bums off,
they surely can make it.
And last but not least what I mentioned before, in this case it's not up
to them. It's the trend and fashion of the present, which unfortunately
doesn't include the blues right now. That's why I say thank you to
everybody who's got an open ear and helps to keep this music alive.
Blues will never die - You've just gotta believe in it.
more
Live-Pics.
here
view also
Diary
for some
Aftershow Pics.
