So well,
whatever we get offered tonight, is surely nothing new or even
innovative. Because since the Beatles in the Sixties, who used to mix
their music sometimes with classical tunes, instruments and musicians,
this connection is something pretty common in modern pop/rockmusic. The
probably best example in Europe during the last years is definately the
famous Nokia Night Of The Proms Tour - every year in december. Compared
to those, the event here can only be described as the very light version
of the Nokia, although we've got 3 true rocklegends participating at
this event at our posh Philharmonie.The venue is filled to three quarter,
which is about 1.500 people, most of them nostalgics who have grown up
with the Music of Nazarath, Toto and Foreigner, and a few young dudes,
who are just discovering this music for themselves.
And that's what it is - a pure nostalgic review made up with a
different instrumental frame. But one thing is for sure. It is
definately no second Nokia.
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Showtime 8 p.m.
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First of all I have
to complain about the rather weak sound circumstances. Lucky those, who
are situated close to the sounddesk. Fans sitting far left or right or
above on the balkony are fighting with an indefinate soundmix, sometimes
only hearing the drums or bass. There are many complains afterwards.
I myself belong to the lucky ones, as we photographers are placed right
the sounddesk. And we can stay there for the rest of the show. - To be
honest, very soon I ask myself, why there is actually an orchestra.
Because this one is overtuned by the so called Classic Rock Band. This
30men/women orchestra is stuffed on one side of the stage, while the 4
guys of the band take the rest of the stage. So the proportion up there
don't seem quite alright. But back to the question, what function this
orchestra actually has got. Yeah well, it looks impressing, doesn't it
and it should round up a full sound. Apart from that, its mainly the
Rockband bassis Mat Sinner
dominating the stage with his noble suit and the blonde long hair, next
to guitarist
Henny
Wolter,
and hosts the show.
After a short ouverture, Mr. Universe Dan Cafferty comes on stage,
dressed in black like the Orchestra, with a nice striped tye.
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Let's put it that way,
our first rocklegend here, is the probably currently most busy one, as
Nazareth are still play aprx. 200 shows every year (that's what he told
me within an interview before the show). Also this kind of performing is
no stranger to him. Although he seems a bit lost up there, somewhere
flying in a twilightzone between the orchestra and band.
But in the end it's the
Nazareth classic tunes, which are the aces thanks to their highly
recognition by the audiance. And that's the point, ain't it - like with
the two other one's still to come.
The second Rock Dino is Bobby Kimball, formerly the brand and frontman
of Toto, the legendary band, who has called it a day a while ago.
But well, never say never
again. And who knows, maybe we celebrate a big reunion tour one day in
the future. Meanwhile we keep the hits alive, whether it's with Bobby's
new project Yoso, or with other action, like this here. Bobby is dressed
in black as well. Black always looks good and makes us look slimmer .And
this can only be an advantage. He is definately the upshooter here,
raising up the generell mood and enthusiasm in the audiance. And
despite the fact, all three rocklegends have reached a Six zero already,
it is the rather youthul attitude which has a certain input on their
appearance - positively or not.
Bobby let's the
dolls dance, as we say so in german, and he gets standing ovations for 'Africa'
followed by 'Hold The Line'
Yep, the audiance does like
it despite the lack of sound. But it doesn't matter at some point
anymore, whether you hear a fidle or not or just a strong guitarchord.
After this energetic performance of Mr.Kimball there is a short break,
like it usually happens at classical events.
The second chapter starts again with a short ouverture, followed by the
three, not yet mentionen background singers.
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Frau Sommerville - ganz
rechts
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These three ladies
including
Amanda Sommerville
are perfoming a heart tune with a lot of heart...
Well, there is some time space which needs to be filled, as there is
only one rocklegend left for the second part. And that one is
Lou Gramm.
Good to have him back
again after a long illness, and apparently he's completely healthy again.
Well okay, Foreigner is past tense for Lou for quite a while now, but
he's still sharing the rights for those great songs, which wrote rock
history....
However, and despite his
appearance and not moving that much as he used to in the past, it is
actually him who earns the most applause and devotion from the audiance.
He's not even trying to sing in these high chords he used to and moves
in at least 2 lower keys. But this doesn't matter and doesn't decrease
the generell enthusiasm.
Lou
seems kinda
overwhelmed by so much luv. And I do ask myself, whether he would get
this love with his current Lou Gramm Band including his brothers,
if he'd come over to Europe with those. . Unfortunately there ain't no
definate plans yet.
Last but not least - all together now for the big final, and each of
these 3 Oldies is presenting us a piece of yet another of their classic
tunes.
The magic has
lasted not quite 2 hours, and it went very well down at the audiance,
like mentioned before. Though I can't avoid a slight bitter taste about
the whole thing, that it is sort of just another way to earn a little
more money with this stars and their great music. But who cares... it
definately does - here in Europe and people do like it . So what...?
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