Sunday, June 27, 2004
All smiles in Ringsted
This afternoon I hooked up with my online friend Olle from Sween to drive out to Ringsted to catch Deep Purple's only Danish show this tour. They laid a good one on us and I've aded my review to The Highway Star's Tour Review pages, including a couple of pictures.
However, there's one pic you won't see there - my friend Jakob Ellerup and myself outside the venue before going inside.
Yes, a great night was had by all. :-)
Saturday, June 26, 2004
Dave? Dave!
4000 shows later, David Letterman is still the best talkshow host around!
Last night he had Michael Moore on there (yes, Europe gets Letterman a week after the States) and the little man with the big movies came across as shy and coy - but made some excellent points. Fahrenheit 9/11 is a must see.
Funniest bit though was Miss Universe letting Letterman wear her 'scarf' (or whatever that banner across her chest is called). The girl who wins the Miss Universe competition gets to go around the world preaching against HIV and AIDS and things (exposing her limited wit in the process), and all the time she wears this scarf? Does she have multiple copies in case one gets dirty and she can't get it cleaned before her next tv show appearance? What if she spills gravy on it?
Anyway, today is Purple day, so I'm off...
Friday, June 25, 2004
Clubbing, but not in Kansas
Toto - KB, Malmö, Sweden, June 24, 2004
Following the cancellation of this year's Midtfyns Festival, a string of bands found themselves with a gaping hole in their schedules. Deep Purple were soon booked for Ringsted Kongrescenter on June 26, a show I'm seeing, and Toto managed to squeeze in two shows instead of Midtfyn. One in Ringsted, which was the debut show of their summer tour, and one at Malmö's cozy little KB club, which holds less than 1000 people. Tickets were steep, but hey, how often do you get the opportunity to catch these guys up close and personal? If I had to review this show...I'd waffle endlessly about how brilliant it was to witness the inimitable Simon Phillips again as he effortlessly whisks around his Tama playground, while locked tightly into that bouncy groove only he can muster with bass player Mike Porcaro, a man who seems to break into a sweat from just moving his fingers.
I'd mention how David Paich has taken a break and has been substituted by 'A Black Guy' who plays well, but never sounds like anything other than someone copying someone else's parts almost well enough.
I'd certainly make a point of applauding the very inspired setlist, which included a whole string of unexpected favourites of mine. Songs that I never thought I'd hear Toto play, but seemed to have been included because they'd been voted for online somewhere. A few were strung together in a medley, but nonetheless felt like surprise visits by dear old friends. (And not one single cover song in sight. Thank you!)
I'd tell you how pointless it was to have Steve Lukather occupy the center third of the stage, thus relegating Bobby Kimball and a second guitarist/backing vocalist to a spot almost behind the P.A. - especially when Lukather's vocals were so rough and not at all impressive. To have Bobby Kimball redundantly standing there while Steve 'hoarsed' his way through about a third of the set seemed downright stubborn on Lukather's part.
I'd speculate that Steve Lukather only insists on singing so many of the songs because he knows how silly his busy toungue looks if he doesn't sing while playing guitar!
I'd also show you a couple of pics from the show.
But... I'm too tired and it's late and I've got an early start tomorrow.
I will give you a rough set list though... [unsure of a few titles]
Only the children
Pamela
I will remember (yes!)
Goodbye girl
I'll be over you
Good for you (yes!)
Africa /
jam
keyboard solo (incl. a Toto song the audience knew and sang along to)
Better world
5 minutes of acoustic guitar wanking
The road goes on (acoustic, Lukather only)
Medley:
Angel don't cry (yes!) /
Carmen (yes!) /
Dave's Gone Skiing (very short) /
Gonna get easier (?)
Mushanga /
drum solo (by the master)
Rosanna
Gypsy train (fabulous energy)
- - -
Hold the line (tired and highly predictable encore)
Onstage 21.15 - end of encore 22.55
Check back later for the 'enhanced and remastered' review...
Following the cancellation of this year's Midtfyns Festival, a string of bands found themselves with a gaping hole in their schedules. Deep Purple were soon booked for Ringsted Kongrescenter on June 26, a show I'm seeing, and Toto managed to squeeze in two shows instead of Midtfyn. One in Ringsted, which was the debut show of their summer tour, and one at Malmö's cozy little KB club, which holds less than 1000 people. Tickets were steep, but hey, how often do you get the opportunity to catch these guys up close and personal? If I had to review this show...
Thursday, June 24, 2004
Communication: Roskilde
Next week I'll be working at Roskilde Festival, Scandinavia's largest music festival. I'll be there to report on events related to my company which sponsors the festival. Will you also be there?
Wednesday, June 23, 2004
Nordic triumph 2-2
Denmark and Sweden played 2-2 in tonight's Euro football match. Good for us, good for them. It means Italy are out of the cup. Bad for them.
I'm not used to watching football, but there's someting about a big crowded bar with huge screens on every wall and stacks of cheering fans. The atmosphere lifts me up and it's almost as good as a great concert. Almost... ;-)
I went with my two friends from work, Knud and Pernille
There's also a pic of the cheering crowd when Denmark scored its second goal :-)
Minutes after the match, Danish fans crowded the streets and cars drove past honking their horns as if Denmark had already won the Euro Cup. Talk about overreacting?!
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
It was 19 years ago...
Looking at the date on my first post I realised it's coming up to the 19th anniversary of my first Deep Purple concert. Yes, these things matter - or at least it's one form of measuring time. Mannheim, Germany, June 29, 1985. The memories are plentifold...
This coming Saturday, June 26, I'm seeing Deep Purple again. This time within an hour's travel distance from my home. And so the seasons change. If you wonder what the Purple fuss is all about, try investigating this little old website I'm involved with: The Highway Star - it's all about that band and its fans.
Hello and good morning
There's a bustle in the hedgerow... Or is it just me finally finding the urge to create my own blog?
Whatever buzz you get, follow it and do your best. This blog is for anyone who cares to read it. Pretentiousness is out. Content is in.
:-)
