First of all, I've gotta say, that this is one of
the three best concerts, I've experienced this year. Over all, I've been
to more than 70 gigs this year, and next to the Eagles of Death Metal and
Steely Dan this has been the most brilliant performance, you can imagine.
100 percent talent and not one second boredom. Thanx god those americans
do not belong to those perfectionists, who tend to forget there is an
audiance as well during their performance. There is no coldness, here is
life, living colours - within the music and what's up to the visual aspect.
To get it short, Living Colour are going since 1984 and got themselves a
name for supporting the Rolling Stones. It was MIck Jagger, who supported
them a lot. Living Colour were part of the so called Black Rock Coalition,
a gathering of black musicians in rock music.They put out political
statements concerning the role of black people in the history of
Rock'n'Roll as well as the musicianship of black culture and their
accusing of white people within the title "Elvis Is Dead". And
still it ain't that common - a lack Hardrock Band within the genre.
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Living Colour 1988
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Living Colour hit the
peak with their hit "Cult Of Personality" in 1988, followed by
more well known songs like "Type" in 1990 and "Love Rears
It's Ugly Head" in 1991. In the middle of the nineties. the band was
put on ice, but have never split officially. Singer Corey Glover,
guitarist Vernon Reid, bassist Doug Wimbish and drummer Will Calhoun, went
on for different solo projects, which were situated more or less in the
fusion funk and jazz section. And they still are in a way. In 2002 the
fourseome decided to get together again and reactivated Living Colour. The
fourthsome recorded the album "CollideOscope" which came out one year later.
This was followed by
What's your
Favorite Colour? (2005) - Remixes, B-Sides & Rarities und Everything Is Possible: the Very Best of...(2006) And
recently a live DVD has been published.
About three years ago the band hit the stage in Europe again after their
reunion and played also Munich's Backstage, where I've seen them last time
(click Here´and
scrol down a bit)
Unfortunately this time our town has been neclacted, but because Augsburg is
just around the corner with an aprox.drive of 50 minutes, it's no problem,
going to check the chocolate boys out again. I've got
to say thank you to the
local promoter for all his help and cooperation because the group does not have
a label or agent at current times here in Germany.
Unfortunately there ain't enough people here tonight, only a handful of freaks
who know the band from the past or just wanna be taken by surprise.
Although I know Living Colour from the eighties I'm always fascinated
again by one of their shows.
Thre ain't a supportband and the show starts about 9.45 PM. In the beginning I get the
impression that something went wrong what's up to Vernon's and the
other guys general mood. out of whatever reasons. They start hard with no face
expression. And there ain't no comment inbetween for some communication. But
therefore the music does the talking.
You can easily check out, that those musicians come from a crossoveer
background ''
'Shooting of with one of their biggest hitsingles'Type', a very hard tune,
telling about destroying and wrong politics. A topic which stood in
first place in the US then. Nowadays it's more the entertainment fact
There
is one thing, which is fascinating me for a long time. Normally i try to avoid
long and endless solos, which is only understood by musicians and real
insiders. Not with Living Colour. Because here is the right
combination between talent and a special aura leading into a huge
fascination. Vernon Reid belongs to those top guitarists like John
Petrucci of Dream Theater for instance. Or Doug Wimbish, who plays his bass
like a rollercoaster. Corey Glover's voice is castrating itselves, and the
drumkit has taken off anyway to a ride beyond the speed of light.
My god this is truly good, - so much knowledge paired with a well dosed
portion entertainment, that even the average music lovers receives all the
pleasure of musical enjoyment. Jimi Hendrix sends his blessings from above.
At some point the atmosphere up there on stage gets a bit lighter and the
faces become more friendly. The longer these first class musicians play
themselves into sound orgies, the better it becomes. And finally we even get
some words from up there, and the sparkle jumps over from the stage to the
audiance.
Long talk - short sense, this is simply great.
The only thing which actually has changed since last times seen, is the
generall look. The typical colourful paradise bird style has switched into a
rather practical, simple outfit, from military, sporty and pyjama Haute
Couture. Only two of the guys kept the rasta hairstyle, whereby it's on eof
the boy's birthday today. - Happy Birthday Will!!!
Okidok, last song in the set is the very first big hit the band ever had, -
"Cult Of Personality". And the following encore after 2 1/2 hours
showtime is dedicated to Jimi Hendrix of course, the probably most famous
black rockstar ever.
In the end there is not much more to say here, but that this gig has been
absolutely brilliant. Not overdone, nor too perfect, but lively,
entertaining and truly enjoyable. It's been one of these concerts you
remember for a long time.
Noone knows what the future will bring, but maybe Living Colour will do
another new album sooner or later. Meanwhile everybody in the band is
following his own path. And I'm sure, the name Will Calhoun, Doug Wimbish or
Vernon Reid will show up again on the programm sheet of the nightclub of
Munich's No.1 Hotel Bayrischer Hof. And I'll be there again for sure.
Good luck boys
http://www.livingcolour.com/
click
Diary
for
some aftershow snapshots
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