ASIA (the originals lineup), in the Bournemouth Pavillion on 2nd March - Excellent. Did anyone else go there or due to see them soon? Well worth the money.

Handel, Beethoven and Brahms recital by Japanese violinist Taro Hakase and his accompanist Maciej Janas at the Cadogan Hall in London. Hakase is a violinist almost unknown in the west, but with a massive 'crossover' following in Japan. Fascinating concert in a very romantic style not so fashionable these days, with encores of Kreisler and Hakase's own music. Concert was sold out with a largely Japanese audience. He has another concert booked at the hall in June - if you go, let me know what you think.

Scottish Ensemble with guest Edgar Meyer in Dundee on Wednesday. Their concerts are always at least very good, this was one that tipped over into very special, and not just because I've got a bit of a thing about the bass.

Pete.

The Eagles at the o2 22 Mar.

Review:

"Inevitably over a near 40 year career span it's all been said about the Eagles - the inventors of adult orientated corporate rock etc - true to say their capacity to sell millions of records and dominate American FM is probably unparalleled - but this belies their true roots and the brilliance of their musicianship. So some 28 years after their last album of new material, fittingly called The Long Run even if the content was indifferent, they are back with The Long Road Out Of Eden a double opus of some genuine genius alongside more generally good material.

What is apparent though from the opening notes of How Long is that their polish and stage craft is as undiminished as ever, equally the articulation and impact of Don Henley's voice as they glide effortlessly into Too Busy Being Fabulous as he laments a lost lover yet again caught up in Hollywood glitz - no doubt many from which to choose Don! But inevitably it's the opening arpeggios of Hotel California five numbers in that gel band and audience the concluding line "you can check out any time you like but you can never leave", probably more profound now than in 1976, followed by the chiming note perfect Walsh/Smith guitar duet.

There is perhaps the risk that it spills over into cabaret, the black suits and ties create something of a Rat Pack ambience, and Henley's conclusion of the first half out front with the microphone rather than at the back behind the drums but it doesn't they are just too tight, or that it might even be reduced to karaoke with the inevitable audience participation during Take It To The Limit. No real risk on that score either as the deftness of their harmonies preserve the integrity of the song long before it might be lost.

The new material scores well, the Crosby, Stills and Nash influenced No More Walks In The Wood is highly appropriate but it is the title track where they deliver a eleven minute emotionally charged rant on US life and influence in the world. Whether it's the middle/far east policy, or the lack of regard for green issues, or the general gluttony of life "in the good ol' USA" (surely they'd know) that most riles is difficult to judge, but safe to presume George W is not on the Christmas card list. However, the impact of the music is immense, the inspiring vocal lift at the end of the 3 verses met by a once in a lifetime Joe Walsh solo creatively reconstructed from the studio version.

From here on they are in overdrive but it almost turns into the Joe Walsh Show as he takes us through some of the highlights of his solo catalogue. Brilliant fretwork on Walkaway, searing slide during the first encore on Rocky Mountain Way but the irony being that the true highlight is Funk 49 from way back when his current colleagues were grafting as Linda Rondstat's backing band. That he is a true guitar icon is so apparent as he launches a series of massive riffs and solos but his sureness of touch and tone is always present. He also permits self-deprecation with a sideswipe at his inevitable rock 'n' roll excesses during Life's Been Good.

It surely might have been better if a couple of the Henley solo numbers had been omitted but overall genuine Eagles is maintained well enough including a full-on Witchy Woman with all the ambience and more of the 1971 original, and a fully charged Life In the Fast Lane."

Fender (Strat)

After 1/2 hour of crawling around Cambridge Corn Exchange on my hands and knees, I eventually found the requisite pair of brown boots, and attached to them, Denis A. Nice to meet you again Denis.

Eels at Cambridge Cornex - after the documentary about Mr E's brilliant physicist father (which I had seen before) we were treated to a great two-man show of wide-ranging material and wit by E and his accomplice Chet (Lyster?).

Unlike the people behind me on the way out, I did not find the stripped-down two-piece combo to be a disappointment (and actually don't how you could!!) but rather to be a performance which was both very accomplished and rather moving. No wonder this man is a legend in his own lunchtime...

(Although I loved this particular drum and guitar vibe, I still don't think I can get into White Stripes yet...)

James

2 weeks ago - Chris Rea excellent preceded by 2 days by the Danish National Orchestra - Rachmaninov was superb

FF

The Cure at Wembley Arena, last Thursday 20th March.
As I last saw them in 1989 I wasn't really sure what to expect but they didn't disappoint - with a set lasting 3 1/2 hours I'm sure everyone went away happy having heard all the "old favourites". Everyone I spoke to (especially the next morning at the Wembley Travelodge, which resembled a Cure Fan Club meet!) thoroughly enjoyed it.
The crowd was a nice mix of young and old(er!) with quite a few dads and their lads (and thankfully very few Robert Smith wannabe's!), showing they still retain their appeal 30 years on.
Although Wembley Arena wouldn't be high on my list of favourite concert venues the sound was more than acceptable, perhaps helped by the fact that I was only about a third of the way back in the side seats? I'm not sure what the sound would have been like at the back, but it seemed too far back to offer a decent view.
So was 3 1/2 hours long enough? Nah, another couple of hours would have been great!

Mark

Went with Mr and Mrs MilesSmiles last night to see Rodrigo Y Gabriela at the Enmore Theatre Sydney.

It was a very good show indeed, with an incredibly noisy crown who were primed from the word go.

With Rodrigo Y Gabriela taking every opportunity to generate some crowd participation, this was more like a rock show than two acoustic guitarists. Excellent versions of Wish You Were Here and Stairway to Heaven, this was a lot of fun.

Lontano

quote:

Originally posted by Lontano:
Went with Mr and Mrs MilesSmiles last night to see Rodrigo Y Gabriela at the Enmore Theatre Sydney.

It was a very good show indeed, with an incredibly noisy crown who were primed from the word go.

With Rodrigo Y Gabriela taking every opportunity to generate some crowd participation, this was more like a rock show than two acoustic guitarists. Excellent versions of Wish You Were Here and Stairway to Heaven, this was a lot of fun.

Lontano

Great concert indeed.
Like their CDs but was surprised to see what a great live act they are - venue and audience sure helped as well. Plenty of clever rock references throughout the whole set (Deep Purple, Led Zep, Pink Floyd, Jimmi Hendrix, Metallica etc.). Amazing guitar skills from both R&G. Best concert so far this year for me.

Kate Rusby at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall last night.
With no support act, the show consisted of two sets approximately 50 and then 55 minutes long. There was a nice selection of songs going back to the early albums and a few tracks from 'Awkward Annie', all beautifully sung and played by her small band in a typical folky simplistic form. Andy Cutting on accordian was superb.
There was plenty of humourous (defying the folk background!) interaction with the audience and the sound quality was pretty good, as usual - "The Phil" remains one of my favourite concert venues.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by JWM:
Unlike the people behind me on the way out, I did not find the stripped-down two-piece combo to be a disappointment (and actually don't how you could!!) but rather to be a performance which was both very accomplished and rather moving.

I went to see the Eels play in Oxford. I quite liked the stripped down sound but did think it worked better on some songs than others. A few songs could have done with a few more instruments to flesh the sound out. The sound where I was sitting (under the circle) was quite bad as the high notes were bouncing off the ceiling and making the music harsh. Much worse than my CDX2 ;-)

It was nice to meet James and his wife at the Eels gig - Cambridge Cornex. Having seen the Eels documentary twice in 3 days I decided it would good to live the life of the 'Rich' me for a while. I bought a pint of murphys and a cheeseburger in the bar! It's amazing to think that with all the traumas in Eels life his music could be depressing. Thankfully he is able to communicate with his audiance with a dry sense of humour and real good tunes. It was certainly unusual to see a 1 hour film about the person who would perform live afterwards, but this let you into Eels mind more than an interview could. The two performers worked really well and the showmanship (swapping at the drum kit without missing a beat) on 'Novacane' was great fun. I would like see the Eels band now to compare.
As a comparison I saw David Sylvian last year at the RFH and it was so ponderous and depressing. I had to fight to stay awake. Oh and the one thing DS had in common with Eels father was that he hardly said a word. I love David's music at home but if I ever see him live agian, I'm taking smelling salts.

Denis

quote:

Plenty of clever rock references throughout the whole set (Deep Purple, Led Zep, Pink Floyd, Jimmi Hendrix, Metallica etc.). Amazing guitar skills from both R&G. Best concert so far this year for me.

His background is a metal/ Metallica type band, she is trained in Flamenco hence the blend, and superb it is too.

Last night, technically, Chris Rea at the Royal Albert Hall. An absolutely excellent gig.

Last night - more or less -, Le Peuple de l'Herbe, Dionysos w/ special guest Olivia Ruiz, and Keziah Jones at the Caprices Festival.

Dionysos was really stunning, and this band is really worth a listen.

Maurice

Gilberto Gil at the Sage Gateshead last night.

Not very often that you get to see the Brazilian Minister of Culture playing a gig. Can you imagine the British equivalent?

Excellent set, mainly solo, but augmented by his son , also on acoustic guitar and light percussion at various points. A very interesting fusion of samba, reggae, and African music that was very easy on the ear.

Regards

Nic

Two concerts in two days last week, both in Manchester.

Thursday night, Van Der Graaf Generator at he RNCM and on Friday Jean Michel Jarre at the Opera House.

Both were quite excellent, VDGG as a three piece are now very tight. A great mixture of old and new tracks.

Peter Hammill's voice as powerful as ever, Hugh Banton's keyboard and pedal playing is something to really see live. For me Guy Evans is the best drummer I have seen live (and I have seen Bruford, Peart, Art Blakey, etc.)such precision, but with feel, both light and driving. Still my favourite band both live and studio.

Jarre was a little gentler, but seeing Oxygene performed with the original analogue instruments had such a rich and gentle sound that has been lost by digital technology. Another wonderful concert.

We missed the first five minutes as Manchester has deliberately misleading road signs, and there was no support despite what the tickets said.

The anniversary CD & DVD release is well worth getting. As the reviews say, the CD is of little interest, but the DVD of Jarre and his fellow musicians playing Oxygene and the new variations is fantastic. You can get it in 3D if you so wish, but 2D is fine for me.

I hope some of you manage to catch the London concerts by both these bands this week, you will be in for a treat with either concert.

Jamie

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Adam Meredith,

Jamie,

Sounds great. Have to say I would like to have seen both of those shows but just a bit too far to travel. Doubt they will come down under but you never know.

I have never seen VDGG but did see the Jarre Docklands show years ago. I imagine seeing him in a small venue is a very different and worthwhile experience. What else did he play besides Oxygene?

Adrian

Hi Adrian

This is the setlist from this year's shows as taken from a bootleg recording of the Amsterdam show

01. Jarre's Introduction (spoken)
02. Tuning The Old Ladies (getting the analogue synths to warm up and make the right sounds)
03. Prelude
04. Oxygene I
05. Oxygene II
06. Oxygene III
07. Variation I
08. Oxygene IV
09. Variation II
10. Oxygene V
11. Variation III
12. Oxygene VI
13. Variation IV
14. Oxygene XII
15. Oxygene XIII

The show was about 1 hour 50 minutes, including the spoken intro, the variations extend Oxygene to over an hour. As I said we only got there at the start of Oxygene I.

Tracks 2-12 are on the anniversary DVD I mentioned above which is a live performance in a large studio space, but without audience called 'Live in your Living Room'.

The warmth of the analogue synths, and an excellent PA did make it quite an aural experience. The visuals were very simple, just a few lights for most of the show, a huge mirror was lowered at an angle from the end of Oxygene II until Oxygene 5 which gave the audience a lovely view of what the band were doing. There was a back projection for the last part of Oxygene.

Jarre has three other musicians with him on stage.

In his blog about the tour Jarre said that the Manchester gig was the best performance so far, and that the audience were very appreciative.

This is the first time I have seen Jarre, but being a fan of the old electronic bands like Tangerine Dream, Kraftwerk and their newer followers like Redshift, the small venue and the focus on the instruments was exactly what I wanted to see.

Jamie

Thanks a lot. Makes me want to see it even more now. I have the CD/DVD so will give that a watch soon.

Cheers