SPARKS

MissmissyTannenbaum · Groupie Joined: 29 Sep 2007 Posts: 164

I expected this album to work fine on stage. It's so diverse and the drum'n bass isn't so prominent that the vocals drowns out.

Ah I was right

the concert was great

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lost in space · Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 7:49 am Post subject:

Kermit · Guest

"Introducing Sparks" surely was a big surprise for a lot of people last night. When it was released it was supposed to be an intruducer to a lot of doubters as to what else Sparks could do. Unfortunately most of the UK had deserted Sparks by then and moved on but hopefully after last nights performance it really will be reinstated as an introducer to what Sparks can do. This album absolutely rocked in all it's live glory! The summertime atmosphere clearly came across with the opener of the wonderful "Big Surprise". Outdoing even those Beach Boys themselves, the sound and harmonies from everyone, along with the crowd, came over loud and clear. I hope Russell caught all the Hawaiian shirts in the crowd. The lovely Ricky from Honolulu had come with a bag full of shirts for everyone to make this night a special night for us all and Aloha to you Ricky!! It certainly was a very special night!!
"Occupation" was a highlight. I wanna see the video to this one too. The band were so tight tonight sounding even better tonight than the album if that's possible. Backing vocals enably assisted by a more than harmonious chorus in the pit answering back with all the oooh ohs and la las! I think even Russell was surprised at the reaction to this one. Lyrics 500 miles an hour again!! A great singalong number!!
"Ladies" such a cute fun song. Harmonies working again so good to this one. The mix was right up there tonight for the backing vocals, best so far!
It makes me so glad I was brought up in a era when vinyl was released so you got a song sheet with your 12 incher!! None of this download only rubbish today!!! Would Sparks be getting such a great reaction to all these songs had they not been released in an age when a lyric sheet was a must with each album? Nothing like the feel of good a 12 incher!! Oooer!!
The driving "I'm not" with it's echoey vocals came over really well. The guitar on this one was just astounding! Jim in his total element here.
"Forever Young" will surely keep us all forever young with it's crashing intro and Russells screaming "Alright"!!!! You know you're in for a blaster with this one. It was the B-side to the sadly ignored "Big Surprise" at the time. It had me jumping round my bedroom at the time at the tender age of 16.
Then the highlight of the album "Goofing Off". With it's gypsey lead up to the way this song unfolds before it rocks out is a joy to behold. Should have been the single at the time. So totally coming alive though in a live environment. When the guitar gets going to this one just must get some damp knickers going in the audience!! Fantastic! It has to be in the final set no matter wether it's got enough votes or not!! We wanted Sparks to sing this one again, another rendition would have gone down so well but Sparks are sticking rigidley to the setlist. Got one of those though, thanks Sue.
The sleazefest of "Girls On The Brain" was a stounder. "Over the Summer" had the sweats really going and the heat was rising. Beach Boys couldn't do this one better. Absolutely sizzling!
The closing "Those Mysteries" had a few tears going. A fitting ending with it's roaring aah aah aah aahs!!! Sparks chorus sounded great on this one and when it fades right down to the "Why's there you...?", you could hear a pin drop before it comes right back in at ya. The drums crashing back in on the final chorus and the guitars rock us out after a truly astonishing show. Wonderful wonderful song!! It was a real tear jerker to see the flames going up over the cover of this one at the end. "Intoducing Sparks" certainly had it's reincarnation tonight and again like last nights "Big Beat" must have converted a few doubters as to how strong these albums actually are.
I was hoping for "I wanna hold your hand" as the encore to this one as the single was released around the time of "Introducing" but "Alabamy Right" was a fitting encore as well. Harking back to "Propaganda" for it's B-side it still fitted the set tonight. One of those songs that could have had an extra few minutes added on the end would it to be ever be re-recorded again or in a live set. There just wasn't the room on the old 45's.
It seemed to go so quick tonight though. Only 9 toons to this album. Billy you were sorely missed tonight but Kev rocked it tonight for ya. The party continued at the Eddie after and meeting more and more beautiful people from all over the world. Denmark and France in!! Welcome guys!! This is all such an amazing experience and uniting so many people from so many different walks of life but with one common bond of their love of the music. I haven't witnessed this ammount of genuine camaraderie since the acid house days of clubs like "Shoom" and "Spectrum" back in '88. Yeah we might not be as young or as beautiful as we were back in those days but the souls have grown and they are shining through very brightly! Sheer Joy!!!

lauraleeandme · Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 8:50 am Post subject:

This was absolutely fantastic! I had never heard ANY of those songs before and I'm completely blown away. Two things struck me most. First, the continuity between the first couple of songs and Big Beat. Second, the brilliance in the overall theme of the rest of the album, in which Ron is trying to see how far he can take familiar and overdone pop song forms -Greek syrtaki/cossack song in Goofing Off; the Beach Boys sound in Over The Summer; the grand rock ballad in Those Mysteries etc.- and infuse them with the Sparks sound. To my mind, this also explains why Introducing is the end of an era: having exhausted the familiar pop song form and paid creative homage to its best traditions, the Maels could only be interested in new things...
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Robin Davies · Certified Fan Joined: 16 Jun 2004 Posts: 64

Fabulous show, mainly because of the best sound mix after Indiscreet. Goofing Off was as good as I hoped it would be. It's always baffled me that this hasn't been a regular in their set over the years.

Billy Stevens · Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 12:24 pm Post subject:

Thanks Rolf, I am still walking round the house in a big sulk! See you on June 7th!
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unprinted · Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 4:06 pm Post subject:

eyesbleed · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 8:35 am Post subject:

Just watched the youtube vid of Goofing Off that Davyboy1001 posted & I'm totally floored. My dropped jaw is still touching the floor.
I certainly never expected that song to be THAT good live.
Absolutely amazing.
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PETER RAWCLIFFE · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 6:20 am Post subject:

Probably the best gig for me,Ive always loved this album and Goofing off was the highlight of the show,I think Ron & Russ enjoyed it as well which pleased me.9/10

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