SPARKS

Tvcoahran · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 1:58 pm Post subject:

Good to hear that the concert went "quantum <mumble> jillion miles" past ron's expectations. so good. #1 in heaven is gonna blow my brain
_________________
-T.v. coahran
www.myspace.com/tvcoahran

Robin Davies · Certified Fan Joined: 16 Jun 2004 Posts: 64

dafom · Junior Groupie Joined: 23 Feb 2006 Posts: 41

Andy Whelan · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 4:40 pm Post subject:

I always thought this would be the most difficult album to perform live with such limited rehearsal time, and I thought overall it was magnificent - sure, there were a few mistakes, the worst of which was Ron's inaudible vocal in Under The Table With Her, as he'd been building up to it throughout the song. But fair play to them for trying to reproduce the album, and for the most part it was a great success.

I was surprised at how busy it was again - I guess punters had bought 3 tickets at the discounted price for the Kimono, Propaganda and Indiscreet gigs.

And Russell did not fail to mention his penning of Pineapple...

Alex MacDonald · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 4:54 pm Post subject:

The best of the Island album performances so far with 'Get In The Swing' being the highlight of the week for me, the place was just jumping!!!!

nightporter · Guest

Noisy Boy · Power Groupie Joined: 20 Feb 2006 Posts: 292

Tvcoahran · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 6:14 pm Post subject:

[quote="nightporter"]

Brightonian · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 6:36 pm Post subject:

I'm with the 'that was totally brilliant' crew. I thought the sound was excellent throughout the performance: in my view this was the best of the shows yet.

Sure, Ron's mic being off for 'dinner at ...' was negligent on the part of the sound man (I'm having a senior moment: what is it they call the sound man/woman?!?) and, sure, it was a shame the vioinist fluffed all his cues in IA1918). But it was still totally awesome throughout.

But, as some people have pointed out, maybe it depends where you were. From about 5 rows from the stage, in the middle, it sure sounded mighty fine.

Brilliant fun

kev hook · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 7:30 pm Post subject:

It again was a privilege to be present at such an astounding event in such great company. All I can say is 'GET IN THE SWING

_________________
"Nothing of a liquid nature's gonna mess with me...."

http://www.myspace.com/alphamael

Ian Hampton · Groupie Joined: 13 Sep 2006 Posts: 111 Location: UK

Having just got home after the three Island shows, I am in awe of what all those guys did on stage. I wouldn't have remembered all the songs from those three albums! Far less 21! So let's not knock the odd goof. Besides, it's pretty normal in a "live" situation for much bigger acts.

I do agree though, that to my tired old ears, the whole mix (everywhere - I walked around) was bass and drum heavy. The guitars, and more importantly Ron's keys were virtually inaudible most of the time. Someone suggested to me " Why doesn't Russell or someone go walkabout to check during the soundcheck?" Sadly, an empty auditorium has vastly different acoustics to one which is heaving with sound absorbing bodies. Perhaps the mix is decided by computer these days?
If so, bring back the man with real ears!

All that said, I enjoyed every moment of every show, and like I said, congrats to everyone on stage. No worries Ron & Russ, it's getting better day by day!

Having played on two of those albums, may I offer my big respect to Jim, Marcus and the "2 Steves". Great job guys! Job done on those three! And nice guys as well! Now bring on the rest!
Oh! And Happy Birthdays!

Billy Stevens · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 9:58 pm Post subject:

Ian I saw you in the queue on Tuesday just after getting R&R to sign my original sparks fan club membership card from 1974 which features you in the picture. I went to the Hammersmith concert in 1975 it was a sunday and I bunked off school on the monday (aged 12) to go and buy tickets for the show at lewisham odeon (didn't know where this was at the time), only to find out, for some reason it had been cancelled. If I see you again would you mind putting your autograph on the same card for me? I need to ask now, so I don't invade your privacy.

Thanks Billy

By the way I am not a stalker but three autographs are better than two!

and if anyone is reading my signed ticket post. This is for my own personal collection. But please bid for the introducing ticket! It will all go to children with leukaemia!
_________________
Don't let it get me!

Alan Liddell · Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 7:15 am Post subject:

Been watching to all the streams or catching the mp3s on here if I cant watch the show. The gigs have been excellent so far and Indiscreet sounded great. This was always gonna be one of the more complex albums to play live and do justice too and I think they carried it off brilliantly. Looking forward to Big Beat tonight, not my favourite album but I can see it being a rocking live show.
_________________
somethingforthegirlwhohasgoteverthingyeseverything

sean's sparks thing · Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 9:21 am Post subject: indiscreet

This was truly superb, everyone in the crowd really getting into a great band performing a great recording!
Top!!!
As for 'the flaws', well I guess that without them we wouldn't be able to stand it!
Quite literally!

sean's sparks thing · Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 9:24 am Post subject: big beat

ROCKS!!!!

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

Kermit · Guest

What can I say that hasn't been said already? "Indiscreet" was AMAZING!!!!
From the opening of Russell singing "I am the King" going into "Hospitaliy on Parade" you could tell this was going to be an extra special show. The troops were in fine form again, singing word perfect all along with Russell and lurching into "Happy Hunting Ground". Everyone going mental to this one. The young guy next to me near the front I heard say "This is just so surreal", seeing this army of fans singing along every word to these amazing songs it surley must be. Surreal it surley was with everything to follow. Surprises galore and by the time we had "Get In The Swing" going it was truly a carnival atmosphere. I remember Radio really didn't know what to make of this song as a single when it was released because it was so different to what Sparks had released as singles in the UK at that time and although it was a minor hit I think it's strangeness alienated a lot of Sparks fans at the time that just weren't ready for that change of direction. I remember seeing Sparks perform it at the Gay Pride Open air Festival in London in the 90's and the crowd there really still just didn't get it. Great to see you there then anyway guys by the way! But tonights atmosphere brought this song to it's triumphoust best and absolutely brought the house down and was definately from where I was standing the one track that had everyone singing like they couldn't sing no more! A true result to a massive tune at last!
But then we had the gorgeous "Under The Table With Her" complete with strings. How fantastic! I'd been up to Brick Lane gallery the day before to see the set up of this song and I finally get to know it's a Koyote singing this song under the table with her!! Magic!
On top of the table is sat a pineapple on a plate too which nicely introduces Russels writing contribution. Russell why don't you wright more songs too? I'm sure you have enough to do but you do know how to put a good tune together Mr and "Pineapple" is a scorcher! You can't always blame Ron for making you hit those high notes when you wright a song that stretches your falsetto to it's very top like this one!! It was fabulous!!
"Tits" had everyone mesmerized and reminded me of when we were playing it in the Eddie earlier and I suggested we make the next album Sparks "Greatest Tits", a collection of Sparks tunes for the over 18's...what with "Tits", "Balls", "Willys", "All you ever think about is sex", "Dick Around", "Here Kitty Kitty", "Goofing Off", "Big Boy", "Fill 'er Up", "Baby Baby Can I Invade your c***", please....and plenty more....I'm sure we can get an X rated sparks album out! I wanna be on the cover of that one!!! (Just what are they putting in the water over in LA?)
Anyway, the crowd had "Harry" singing back at Russell at the top of their voices with the delerium of the drinkfest ending! Marvelous!
Then we get another treat with the quartet coming on for "It ain't 1918". Those young musicians looked so totally bewildered by what was going on around them it was priceless!
But then I was in heaven with "In The Future". My fave Sparks toon of all time . It's so totally bonkers! I always feel if this had been released as a single at the time we might have had a huge hit with it in the UK but back then we only had 2 songs from an album as singles. England wasn't ready to accept the big band stuff of "Indiscreet". At the time it would have still taken the Sparks bonkersness of "In the Future" to be a big hit. Still, I'm glad I shared that moment with Lauren & Mike from Atlanta. Special guys! And we had "Gone with the Wind" especially for you tonight as well don't you think? Lauren had her original "Indiscreet" T shirt with her from way back when for tonight but it looked like it had shrunk a little in the wash since! LOL! I hope we get to meet again someday as I know this was your last night. Going back with aching backs but smiling faces and no, Atlanta, ain't burning down tonight my sweet! Hope you made it home OK. Love ya!
Anyway, back to the concert and the brassed up "Looks Looks Looks", how fantastic? If only we had time to get Ron blacked up like on that special "Top of the Pops performance" that went missing. But hey, times are different thank God! But so special to hear this song in it's glory. When it was released as a single in the UK it was around the time that the UK was having a bit of a big band revival anyway. Manhatten Transfer were charting with "Tuxedo Junction", Winifred Shaw was having a hit with "Lullaby On Broadway" and old Glen Miller tunes were charting. It seemed the right time to take this track for Sparks to the top. We had a number 26 hit with it but still the UK just didn't get it enough to take it to the top although the reviews were fabulous.
Funny to see that Manhatten Transfer had a hit with "Who, What, When, Where, Why" in 78 in the UK, funny that being that's the lyrics of "Happy Hunting Ground"on "Indiscreet". Do Sparks know the Manhatten Transfer at all? It's always interesting to know where tangents go....
Still "Miss the Start, Miss The end" was another fitting anthemic ender and the birthday cake and all made the whole night feel like it had indeed been one hell of a birthday party! "Indiscreet" is such a challenging album with all it's different parts but tonights performance just raised it ten times higher and beyond. Yes, there were a few little glitches but that's what makes the joy of the live performance, seeing everybody just having such a great time and to hell with the glitches. If there are any DVD's at the end of all this I hope they won't be edited out.
A night of rest is well needed before we take on the rocker of "Big Beat". My ears are permanently ringing with all this but you have to suffer for your funtimes. But it's all good. Thanks again Sparks!! See you Friday!

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

Kermit · Guest

Ok MarkRae, maybe I was just totally wrapped up in the moment to see from where I was that things might have gone a bit wrong. But, God, give them a break! Put on your own spectacular and let's see it faultless! The people who mean anything to Sparks are having the time of their lives and Sparks know it! If it ain't perfect for you then I guess we won't be seeing you at the next 16 shows then??? Maybe stay at home and listen to the albums!

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