We just saw him conduct Symphonie Fantastique at the Concertgebouw and he also explained what he was going to conduct. He is a terrific conductor and I quite like his expressive style.
It was great to hear some raw music rather than the digitised version delivered digitally. On a few occasions some audio delivery was quite harsh on the ears.
But only momentarily.
Nothing beats the power of live music at a decent venue. I still enjoy my system of course but certain programs particularly classical orchestral or chorus music there is no chance in hell my hifi can match the impact of live performance.
My dad used to drag me to the Greyhound pub in Sydenham on a Friday night to listen to some bands. A bottle of coke with a paper straw and a packet of crisps.
That’s a shame, they really are something special. You can sign up for emails on their website, you never know, they might add some more gigs. I saw John just once, also in the nineties. Everyone sat on the floor (I think most of us would have had difficulty standing up ), and he was incredible, all that One World stuff with the guitar effects. Guy sat in front of me was a friend of a friend, we got chatting and became best mates - he was my best man when I married, and went to the Project gig with me last week. Music, you can’t beat it.
A really interesting programme of guitar duets. The first half was traditional classical guitar with a Spanish flavour. The second half was much more eclectic and experimental with three of the four pieces being UK premieres. The final piece was on electric guitars (‘Judas!’).
They are both talented but Sean Shibe is really something else
First time I’ve seen this band. Not the usual ‘Tribute Band’ as they were formed (by Roger Taylor) with a focus on playing the songs, not impersonating / dressing up. They were quite good, and worked hard. The audience included a good number brought in by the Bo Rap film and the setlist pretty much followed the Greatest Hits albums.
Having seen Queen many, many times, I was not expecting too much but for most of the (full) crowd, they were great. For me, the guitar was way too low in the mix and anyone who gets the claps and foot stomps in Rock You mixed up has committed a sin! I might go again if they ever tour a complete early album but otherwise this was pleasant but nothing more.
We saw them in Brighton a couple of weeks ago. I liked it it, Mrs Si loved it!
Agree with you, I like the fact that they’re playing their own takes on the songs rather than impersonations. And they did get a good atmosphere going.
I’d go again, but only if convenient (in Brighton and not on a school night). But certainly worth going to get to experience the songs live.
I find it a little strange that we have both noticed different aspects of the sound mix to be unbalanced. I thoguht the vocals were OK but the keyboards were quite high in the mix. Thinking about it, I don’t recall where the PA cabinets were and they are not showing on my photos. Perhaps the PA was not up to the different demands of these quite large venues?
Saw Archive in Paris on Friday & Saturday - their ‘Classic Albums’ Tour.
Friday they played pretty much all of ‘You All Look the Same to Me’ and "Noise’ (although not in order)
And on Saturday they played ‘Controlling Crowds I-III’ and ‘Controlling Crowds IV’.
It’s been a while since I have heard the Tristan und Isolde live ( last one was with another Finn, Essa-Pekka Salonen with the CSO )
First off: We sat on the terrace for the first time and it was a huge mistake. I could not hear any of the singer’s low notes. Plus I did not much care for the overall balance.
Second: the lighting effect which were to enhance the performance felt rather gimmicky and distracting.
Third: Whilst Tarmo did a respectable job, the opening Overture still missing the tension to create a feeling of doom. This lack of tension was throughout the performance and the finale did not have enough impact. I felt rather cheated. I wish the would done the Third act with the proper finale.
), and he was incredible, all that One World stuff with the guitar effects. Guy sat in front of me was a friend of a friend, we got chatting and became best mates - he was my best man when I married, and went to the Project gig with me last week. Music, you can’t beat it.
.
