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Well, it's a
little odd with pure acoustic solo shows. On one hand, you can really
check out the artist's abillity's, not only his musical skills, but also
the talent to entertain an audiance for 90 minutes without boredom. And
I'm not sure what's more difficult, to play a perfect instrument or the
entertaiment aspect. The risk of the last one mentioned, is this certain
monotony, which often occures at unplugged solo shows. Simply because
there ain't much happening up there on stage apart from the musical
performance. However, it is a fact, that guitar wizard Richie Kotzen keeps returning to Germany on a regular base now for the past 3 or 4 years. He seems to feel well over here, though he's still gotta play small venues. But from year to year these places are getting more and more crowded. And that's the case tonight at the bavarian Village Club, one of the most pecular concert venues Germany has probably got. Whoever comes here for the very first time, gets the impression to have landed somewhere in Nowhere. But the good reputation of this place and all these great musicians who are coming and going here prove, that this venue in an old farmhouse, has it's right to be here. And not to forget the fact, that big boss Dieter is one of the best guitar constructor in this country. Anyway, Richie Kotzen is
here for the 3rd time at the Village venue. And although this time it's
a pure acoustic performance, the club is absolutely crowded. I must
admit I like it, as I have seens so many great musicians here playing in
front of only 50 or even only 30 people, which was sad enough. Not so
tonight, and I discover some insiders who even came all the way from the
city of Rosenheim, which is aprox. a 90 minutes drive or like me from
Munich, to check out Mr. Kotzen once all over again. To take it ahead,
normally The Lorean are a full band with 4 members. But because they are
doing a pure acoustic unplugged set as well here tonight, there are only
two of them performing the rather calm melodies. I presume this here are Massimiliano Forleo
and Enrico Meloni, who are playing the guitars in the band and handling
the vocals. These guys describe their style as a mixture of pop, Rock,
Alternative, influenced by bands lie Coldplay, Muse, U2, Jeff Buckley
and Radiohead. - But you can't really make this out within an acoustic
set only. Because at such a show, everything sounds a bit different as
it actually is. One thing is for sure, - they really can play - our
Papageno's from Milan. Whether this enough for an international
carriere, this is still open and up in the air. But whenever The Lorean
come back to Germany as a full band, I'm definately curious to check 'em
out again and convince myself again about their talents.
Whatever he touches in a musical approach has got potential. And like I described in the very beginning, he definately shows his talents here in this one man acoustic show. Meanwhile the temperature inside the Village has risen up at least to +35 degrees (100 Fahrenheit) and the beer is flowing down fast into everybody's throat. There are aprox. 150 guests here in this place, and you can call it really crowded. There is no way to get to the front. That's why I've got to step onto a chair to get at least a few decent shots from the bird's angle. But up there it's even at least 10 degrees hotter. Don't give a damn, to get good pics. Richie is working himself throughout his almost complete repertoire, from 'Change' to ‚Mother Head’s Family Reunion’. He introduces to us new songs from the upcoming release 'Peace Sign' out Sept.9. and he gives us a taste of the Wison Hawk - Road (Richie Kotzen + Richie Zito Album. No, there is actually
nothing to complain about. This man understands how to put himself into
the right light, whereby I don't mean the limelight, but rather his
soulful vocals combined with his excellent guitar playing. (I don't
wanna loose many words about his funny hat, which he definately doesn't
wear, because it's too cold or because he hasn't got any hair left on
top of his head, which is definately not the case:-))) But, and that again, is
this little thing about acoustic performances, When two artists on one
night are going for this thing, there is this risk, that at one point it
drowns in a slight monotony, which is kind of a Fata Morgana, letting
you think, somehow everything sounds the same. NO don't worry, it
definately doesn't, when you listen to it carefully and highly
concentrated. Maybe it's the rather quiet aspect, the never changing
visual view on stage, the always same sounding tenor, or even the thurst,
which let us enter the bar frequently inbetween. It's like a straight
line with no real heights and edges, which develops some weakness in our
concentration. And some of us think: yep it's been great, and we really
did like it, but now it's enough again. And so last but not least I only
have got left to say: |
View Diary
for a few Aftershow snapshots.... |