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21X21 fan reviews...17)Plagiarism
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dinky
Sparkologist


Joined: 26 Jul 2003
Posts: 669

PostPosted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 3:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

MarkRae wrote:
lost&found wrote:
And I don't really get the some of the comments here re Jimmy Somerville - his voice is totally different to Russell's that's all.

Yes it is - *totally* different. Specifically, it has none of the edge, style or timbre of Russell's, nor can he hold a candle to Russell's phrasing and delivery. Last night he was simply outclassed by a vastly superior vocalist.

lost&found wrote:
I thought his contribution was excellent.

In what way...? I agree that he's got a lot of energy, and is clearly a Sparks fan, but that doesn't mean that he can sing... I don't know him personally - I have nothing against him personally. He's just an awful singer, IMO...



Permit me if I ignore any of your reviews in future as you do strike me as a petty spiteful individual.
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Raoul
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PostPosted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 3:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Best way to act
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kev hook
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Joined: 05 Jun 2004
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PostPosted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 6:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I must admit that although Im not a fan of Mr Sommerville's by any means, it is unfair to compare his vocal abilities with those of Russell. I think we are all agreed here that Russell is unique, so there IS no competiton. Full stop. However I do believe it totally unnecessary to slag off an artist in the way some have just done to Jimmy. It is offensive and just downright rude. Some people just have to find negatives in everything ....ho hum, we're on familiar territory then arent we ? Pick on someone your own size and learn to sing yourself
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MarkRae
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Joined: 11 Mar 2008
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Location: London

PostPosted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 6:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

dinky wrote:
Permit me if I ignore any of your reviews in future

That's cool.

dinky wrote:
as you do strike me as a petty spiteful individual.

For the record, not liking Jimmy Sommerville makes me neither petty nor spiteful...
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MarkRae
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Joined: 11 Mar 2008
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PostPosted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 6:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

kev hook wrote:
Pick on someone your own size

Pick on someone my own size??? What on earth are you talking about?

kev hook wrote:
and learn to sing yourself

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Andy Whelan
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Joined: 14 Jan 2002
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PostPosted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 7:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I was not quite sure what to expect of this show. I've never really been a great fan of the album, which to my mind is a bit patchy.

The undoubted highlight was Propaganda. Russell's vocals were simply amazing, considering the amount of singing he's been doing of late.

As for the comments on Jimmy Somerville, all I'll add is that I'm glad he turned up rather than Faith No More's vocalist. I skip those two tracks on the album, and with just Russell singing we effectively got something pretty close to the original versions.

All in all, a stunning gig played to an enthusiastic packed house.
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Brightonian
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Joined: 22 Mar 2003
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Location: Brighton, UK

PostPosted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 9:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Excellent show, though I preferred the Grat Sax night as that's such a consistent album and Plagiarism has real triumphs but some filler - is there much point to the No1 Song electronic reworking, likewise Beat The Clock and the two tracks with Faith No More?).

Live, like everyone else I especially loved Propaganda & Change (how did they replicate those!); Pulling Rabbits was so intense and the orchestral This Town great; and despite the few naysayers on these boards, I thought Jimmy Sommerville was great with Russell on No.1. Generally, what a thrill again to see Sparks with live orchestration!

Worse moments: pointless retreads of Big Brass Ring (can't believe we've had to endure it twice!) and the two tracks originally with Faith No More. They had to do them, but maybe they could have done something different with them or got someone else to guest?

But all told, an excellent evening.
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sjadey
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Joined: 20 May 2008
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 4:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

In anticipation of a great show, I wore my Plagiarism pants (not that anybody would see them ). What a fantastic show! It exceeded my expectation. The sound was so clear and crisp tonight. Everything just came together perfectly.

This was the 9th concert I had attended during the run and I think it was the best performance so far. Both this and Indiscreet brought a tear to my eyes by the end! I also saw the Meltdown 04 (KMH/LilB) show and thought Plagiarism night beat it for the sheer variety of material which they had to contend with performing live, what with a string quartet, a brass section and all those vocal gymnastics. The performance of Propaganda was astounding! After hearing people singing along to the first verse, which we all know so well, most of us just gazed at Russell in stunned silence! Brilliant rendition. Russ! Russ! Russ!

Seeing Jimmy was a great bonus. Can people stop slagging him off, please? His voice is different to Russell's and both have their merits. R&R presumably chose him for the album based on his singing ability and asked him to sing at the show for the same reason. After all, Russell could have sung it alone if he wanted. Jimmy and Russell were clearly enjoying singing together. As for Jimmy bringing in the crowds, I don't think so; he's not had a hit album or single for years, so his fan base is probably smaller than Sparks'. Few people would have known he was going to be there, before they bought their tickets. Nice to see him in the EDVI afterwards too.

The Academy was very crowded again, so I was glad of the air-conditioning, although I did overhear a few people saying it was freezing! I know a few posts have estimated the size of the crowd on various nights but the biggest estimate has been about 450 and yet the venue capacity is supposed to be 800. Can you imagine it with that many people in? You wouldn't be able to move!

I'm looking forward to Lil' Beethoven.
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MarkRae
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Joined: 11 Mar 2008
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 4:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

sjadey wrote:
The performance of Propaganda was astounding! After hearing people singing along to the first verse, which we all know so well, most of us just gazed at Russell in stunned silence!

Apart from those who actually have the Plagiarism album, obviously...

sjadey wrote:
but the biggest estimate has been about 450 and yet the venue capacity is supposed to be 800.

No - the biggest estimate has been 800, specifically on the officially sold-out shows...
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Eve
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Joined: 20 Mar 2002
Posts: 615
Location: England

PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 5:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

they opened upstairs which I'm told only happens when they hit or pass 600 sales.

This was a high and low show for me. A high because I really like the album and the rejigged songs. It was great to hear a good portion of the show downstairs, alas this was one of my worst days of this bloody cough I've had for 10 days and once the smoke machine kicked in it pretty much did me in and I had to escape to the stairs for some air (wtf is it with some people, you say 'excuse me' throw in a please and they look at you as if you're mental, I'm trying to get out not push in front of you shithead. I could have coughed in their faces, may do that next time).

Anyhow spent the rest of the night upstairs for the first time. Had to stand on chair to see.

um, how can you recreate a full orchestra with a string quintet? You can't so clearly some backing was in play. They ladies seemed to enjoy themselves.

Jimmys voice -Some folks like it some folks don't. I'm not getting in a tizz over it.

Propaganda was sooo good, they all were working hard on that one and it paid off.
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MarkRae
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Joined: 11 Mar 2008
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 5:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Eve wrote:
They opened upstairs which I'm told only happens when they hit or pass 600 sales.

That's correct.

IIRC, they've opened the upstairs for Kimono, Propaganda, Indiscreet, No 1 and Plagiarism so far...
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sean's sparks thing
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Joined: 19 May 2008
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Location: london

PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 5:51 am    Post subject: Plagiarism Reply with quote

Words cannot express...the feeling I suggest...
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Eve
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Joined: 20 Mar 2002
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Location: England

PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 6:44 am    Post subject: Re: Plagiarism Reply with quote

sean's sparks thing wrote:
Words cannot express...the feeling I suggest...


is it warm and tingly?
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unprinted
Certified Fan


Joined: 23 May 2008
Posts: 55
Location: London, UK

PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 7:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Eve wrote:
Anyhow spent the rest of the night upstairs for the first time. Had to stand on chair to see.


Yeah, that balcony is not set up for more than the front 'row' to be able to see the stage.

Quote:
um, how can you recreate a full orchestra with a string quintet? You can't so clearly some backing was in play.


I'd bet my ECOTD ticket that it wasn't, but then I've probably seen more amplified quartets/quintets/etc than most people here.
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Eve
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 9:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

confusion - are you saying IYO there was backing or no backing?
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kev hook
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Joined: 05 Jun 2004
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 2:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I believe Ron was beefing up the strings with some orchestral keyboard samples. But not having been there.........
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themightybishop
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Joined: 04 Dec 2007
Posts: 73

PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 4:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

and the last word goes to steve nistor:

"The pinnacle of the show was Jimmy Somerville's appearance on a symphonic/disco version of "No. 1 Song in Heaven." He stole the show! I'd never seen him before but this 5 foot 6 inch Scottish man shows up and sings the most amazing falsetto I've ever, ever heard. Anyone who claims to be a fan of Antony and the Johnsons needs to check out Jimmy doing it 20 years before Ant did.

A really kind and gentle man who managed to get the crowd worked up and sing his ass off at the same time. He got down on his knees and sang the "Written of course, by the mightiest hand..." line directly to Ron and Russell.

After the show Jimmy told me my drumming on "Beat the Clock" made him feel like he was 18 again. I'm going to have to compile a list of "Unbelievably Flattering Compliments." "
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LightsOut
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Joined: 12 Mar 2004
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Location: Lancs, england

PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 8:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Words cannot express, for me, just how good this gig was....The atmosphere was electric....The band were stunningly superb.....I and many, many others were speechless afterwards, such was the wonderfulness of it all......An orchestral brain blast.....Is the only way I can describe this wonderful night.....And as if that wasn't enough, the encore song, blew me away.....Still not recovered from that wondrous night......In a world of madness, Sparks shine like stars in a cloudless sky........
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SparksMarie
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Location: Denmark

PostPosted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 12:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I just read an interview with Erasure's Vince Clarke. Apparently they weren't asked to come perform Amateur Hour at the Plagiarism concert. Well, here's what he says

John: Right. I'm a big Sparks fan as well, you probably know they are doing there 21 albums in 21 nights. Did you know about this?

Vince: No, tell me?!

John: Well you've answered by next question. Well they are doing all of their 21 albums from their career in 21 nights so that they're performing the whole album all the way through, and then the next day it's the next album and so on. Does that idea appeal to you?

Vince: No!

John: Too much work! They've had to learn 256 songs I believe for the tour

Vince: I still look at chord sheets now, so I don't suppose that's going to happen with us.

John: The reason why I was going to ask you that they did do the Plagiarism album which you did the 'Amateur Hour' remix for, and they kind of pulled a few musicians together, I thought you might have had a call to see if you would turn out for that!

Vince: No!

John: You were in Manchester for Yazoo though

Vince: No, I didn't have the call - but who knows!

John: Interesting! Well good luck for the future and enjoy tonight! Thanks Vince.
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De Sade
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Joined: 11 Jun 2008
Posts: 61

PostPosted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ok so 1st, stunning show to be at, breathtaking, but I do love the album, not sure why some dislike it, yes some improve on the original (angst) and some are interesting reworkings (Change & Amateur) which you take or leave according to individual taste. 2nd, minor quible agreeing with a previous post, the faith no more 'less' songs could have used something else to differentiate them form the other versions, yes they rocked more but an additional vocalist, even a backing singer type, would have helped the mood. Lastly to return to the JS subject, I am a classically trained singer by profession and to compare Jimmy with Russ is stupid, just because they both use falsetto doesn't mean they are in competition - you wouldn't compare George Michael with Kurt Cobain even though their range is/was probably very similar. Jimmy has a beautiful lyrical & effortlessly 'feminine' voice whereas Russ is far more energetic and stacatto in his delivery. I loved that 5 minutes when they were together, although I normally wouldn't consider myself a fan of Jimmy's music at all, it was a beautiful tribute to Sparks for him to be there and to be so charming and sweet in the way he sang and clearly admired R & R
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