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Two
weeks prior to this concert I heard Sparkler at DTU in a much heavier version.
I do not know what had happened during these weeks. A complete changed set of
songs, and a much more relaxed band. I asked Freya after the concert,
what had happened, and she explained that the artistic expression depended much
on which mood the band was in prior to the performance, and tonight they were
all in a very good mood!
In short, they seemed to have transfered from heavy
rock to country rock! No more long festival-rock guitar solos was heard,
and Jakob had found his place behind the keyboard or at his lovely
slide lab-steel guitar. They allowed themselves to play soft and laid-back momentarily,
which improved the musical impression a lot. No guitar battles between Rune
and Jakob, and Freya and the rest of the band seemed
to be in a very good mood. Rune's guitar was sharp as a knife and
the sound at Vega was excellent.
Now, for the first time Spakler
had rised to the level of the Freya concerts from 1999 / 2000. Being
almost the same musicians, it would be evident, but the first Sparkler
concerts seemed to be a step backwards from the high musically quality attained
at Freya's solo years. But now it has changed.
An explanation
might be, that the heavy majority of the audience consisted of private friends
of the band members. Only 45 tickets were sold, but the gust lists filled four
sheets of paper! So it may be because being among friends that the band was in
good mood, relaxed and full of energy.
The concert opened with a wonderful version of Lazy Days, which
was new on the set. Very country-like with a lovely slide guitar by Jakob.
I think that in this live version it was the best song of the night - for me at
least. Stop and Mr. Pete were more relaxed than usual,
and they improved by that. A good beat in the latter, also including a nice wah-wah
pedal guitar.
New was also Talkin' bout A Revolution (with some
strong drumming by Kåre) and Listen Once, in
which Jakob did some really nice keyboards.
I couldn't help
thinking of Bob Dylan when Sparkler played Fool
For You. Jakob played a true 1966-Bob Dylan-keyboard
on that, with Freya duetting with Rune on vocals.
Thus it was natural to slide directly into Dylan's Like A
Rolling Stone. A wonderful experience. The song is now a steady point
on the set. I wished, that they would include more Dylan covers
on the set list. Rune even played the guitar much better than His
Bobness himself!
First set finished with the most heavy song on the
night, Someone Else To Dig. I think that the album version is far
better than the live version. Too much heavy metal for my taste. After
a short break, Sparkler re-appered on stage with a swinging version
of Total Control. This time we heard a clear guitar sound, not heavy
as in Someone Else. Freya sang an up-tempo Tiger,
very much dominated by Kåre's drums. A very fine rock tune,
totally fit for live. I See Stars was very sensitively song by Freya.
It has improved by a slow start followed by a short break in complete silence
before the guitars come in. Should maybe have ended a little earlier before the
guitars went too crazy :-)
Next song, You Belong To Me, also
brought memories of the Master, Bob Dylan. Jakob's
fingerpicking guitar play sounded exactly like Bob's at his live
shows, the harmonica and the guitar riffs.
Magnifying Glass
was intruduced by Freya as "a country song" - lovely, but is
still better in the semi acoustic version. Wild Horses had changed
dramaticaly since the first jobs and Freya sang it more entusiastically
this time.
Why Should I Worry, again better on the album, as
the hook-line is repeated too heavely, but Freya's rare recitation
worked out very well.
You Don't Notice is Sparkler's
ultimate live song (together with Tiger). Still very Rolling
Stones-like without being a plagiate. Good tempo shift in the middle of
the song.
I was pleased to hear that I'm Fine was back on the
set. It is Freya at her best. Fine, subtle and sensitive. Very beatiful
in this semi acoustic version.
The closing song, Free Session
was much similar to the 2000 live versions of the song. It had an extended ending,
but could be excluded from the set, if I had to decide. But
it was
a nice surprise to hear that Sparkler by this performance finally
seem to have found its place at the music scene, - neither among the heavy
metal bands, nor among the hit charts pop bands, or among the country/western
bands. But having taken the best from it all. Enjoy
the photos of the happily smiling Freya in front of her band ...
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The set list:
01. Lazy Days
02. Stop
03. Mr. Pete
04. Talkin ' bout A Revolution (Tracy Chapman)
05. Listen Once
06. Fool For You
07. Like A Rolling Stone (Bob
Dylan)
08. Someone Else To Dig
09. Total Control
10. Tiger
11. I See Stars
12. You Belong To Me
13. Magnifying Glass
14. Wild
Horses (Jagger / Richards)
15. Why Should I Worry?
16. You Don't Notice
- - Encore - -
17. I'm Fine
18. Free Session | |
Photographs
by Eric Klitgaard © 2003
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