SPARKS

Hornetpinata · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 4:45 am Post subject: Another review on my blog

Great night -- again!

http://habloennui.blogspot.com

TommyGun · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 4:50 am Post subject:

I watched it online and i think it was brilliant
Im not a fan of equator and though it sounded much better live than on the record it still couldnt reach the level of the other songs. but hearing Hasta Manana live and Complaints and..BARBECUTIE was just great.
Cant say which one I liked more, Kimono or Woofer
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Tim Collins · Fan-in-Training Joined: 02 May 2008 Posts: 19

Another great show. I have to say it will be a long time before the novelty wears off for me. I went down without a ticket (I don't live that far away so I thought I'd give it a go) and unsurprisingly had a difficult time getting in. I tried first at 7:30 where a really aggressive tout wanted £50 for a ticket that turned out to be for the Propaganda show on closer inspection. So I tried again at 8:55 where a different tout gave me a ticket for £35. It's a shame that these people are making money off Sparks, but the relief I felt when I got into the venue just in time for the opening bars of 'This Town...' was worth it.

veryoldfan · Groupie Joined: 22 Mar 2002 Posts: 197

The novelty isn't wearing off for me either. Admittedly I don't think that Kimono was as polished a perfomance as they gave at Meltdown but in the circumstances (they have had 21 albums to rehearse after all, plus all the 'obscure' stuff) that's not very surprising and I still thought it was a cracking performance. OK there is something not *quite* as exciting, for those of us who've seen them do Kimono before, as seeing stuff like Halfnelson (which was absoultely brilliant, as was Woofer) but that's rather like saying that winning 2 million on the lottery isn't as exciting as winning 3 million.
I feel like I've won the lottery anyway. All 3 shows so far have been fantastic and I can't wait for the rest.

lost in space · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 6:05 am Post subject:

A really good gig - the time simply flew by as they joyfully crashed through the set list (an Item I managed to aquire from one of the roadies at the end of the gig btw!) As they are only playing for an hour it all seems too brief, but then you can't fault the quality. I would say that last nights kimono show came across as a close second as my all time Sparks gig (so far) as the previous nights Woofer show was AWESOME in every respect and frankly rates as one of the best of over 70 gigs of all kinds I've attended. Looking forward to the next on my list - Introducing, which I feel having chatted briefly with one of the guitarists (sorry I am crap with putting names to faces - the chap without the goatee) after the show, that the Introducing show would be beefed up to give it a more rock edge in parts more akin to th last three shows.

If any one from the promotions or band check these forum posts, can I kindly request that the dreadfully dull 'DJ' is not allowed to taint the prospect of any future shows. His performance was TOTALLY AT ODDS with the whole Kimono vibe as was demonstrated by the masses in the crowd. I think that it may be his best move to take his DJ equipment to the nearest 'Cash converters' store and take whatever they offer him for it!
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(physically) physically,I'm splendid
(mentally) mentally ,I'm splendid
(morally) morally he is lax
and maybe thats the problem!

Tim Collins · Fan-in-Training Joined: 02 May 2008 Posts: 19

I don't mind the comparatively brief showtimes. It all feels like one huge show with 23 hour breaks between encores, anyway.

BigManRestless · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 6:40 am Post subject:

MarkRae · Groupie Joined: 11 Mar 2008 Posts: 199 Location: London

Tim Collins · Fan-in-Training Joined: 02 May 2008 Posts: 19

Never mind, it's Dan Le Sac and Scroobius Pip tomorrow and they're great. Plenty of wordplay for Ron fans to enjoy. As long as they don't say 'Sparks are just a band' during 'Thou Shalt Always Kill'.

Eve · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 8:02 am Post subject:

Jesus, bitching already?

Moustache - first 2 night pencil thin. Kimono, the 'tash was back.

Voice - the high notes are still there but not with the same sustained power (can't expect a voice not to change after 35+ years) I sing and keeping the voice up there is hard work. Ever wondered why in most operas/arias the high notes are used as high points (no pun intended) i.e you're showing off the voice and it is hard work! I didn't notice a key change?

Perhaps my untrained ear was not listening out for mistakes but hey ho.

DJ - Anyone else notice the last track he played was a 'good morning' mix. I just think people were getting fed up of standing there for 2 hours.

Novelty? They sure looked like they were enjoying it.

Personally I think each night got better.

MarkRae · Groupie Joined: 11 Mar 2008 Posts: 199 Location: London

Kermit · Guest

I seem to be out on my own here but I really didn't mind the DJ set. Having spent more of my years in clubland it was a welcome change to the usual warm ups. I guess it might have been better to have saved him for one of the dancier albums cosidering Kimono is a rocker but a little bit of Goldfrapp (who incidentally were just outstanding at the Royal Festival Hall a few weeks ago) kept me well happy.
I loved the remix of "Good Morning" too right at the end of his set. Where is that gonna be available and who was responsible for the mix? Will we ever know as there is no physical release for an extra mix or b-side of the single?
And as for these petty gripes of a few of these posters...jeez...Lighten Up Moaners!! Let's see anyone of you try anything remotely like what Sparks are doing here! This is history we are seeing and for ****s sake appreciate what we are beholding!! Bravo Sparks for even attempting this! The whole band are doing an excellent job and their talent and enthusiasm is an incredible assett!!

Eve · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 8:36 am Post subject:

MarkRae · Groupie Joined: 11 Mar 2008 Posts: 199 Location: London

TommyGun · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 9:11 am Post subject:

whats so bad about the key change?
it aint 1918, russel gets older too
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Eve · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 9:15 am Post subject:

MarkRae · Groupie Joined: 11 Mar 2008 Posts: 199 Location: London

Eve · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 9:44 am Post subject:

:-) me. I got home at 3am and got up for work at 7. I was saying even with 4 hours kip I could tell the difference between objective/subjective.

Take no notice, I can turn in to a snappy cow when tired.

MarkRae · Groupie Joined: 11 Mar 2008 Posts: 199 Location: London

[quote="Eve"]Take no notice, I can turn in to a snappy cow when tired./quote]
LOL! Ron Playing

TommyGun · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 10:31 am Post subject:

http://flickr.com/photos/deadbysunrise/sets/72157605130001855/

here are some amazing photos for those who are interested
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