danielb
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Registered: 10-2003
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Copenhagen Feb 11 - my review
I went to see them last night in Copenhagen. It's been a few years and I actually enjoyed it. Sound was the best I've heard from them and like a bunch of old friends I delighted in the reconnect and the possibility it was the last time I saw them. Even though there will probably be more chances.
Staying home seemed like a crazy consideration once at the show. Those who say "it's all over, they're just going through the motions" would likely change their minds if they saw them. I doubt anyone walked away saying that was a bad show.
Quite the contrary, once there it was evident to me they're really in some sort of zone now where they're enjoying their playing. And that they could go on like this for a long time, possibly even releasing new albums. Now What?! is a defining album for them and the vibe of those songs set the mood for the concert. Along with the solos of which there were plenty.
One comment I saw about them being the only true jamming band left like that on an arena level rang true with me as well. The show was '70s' in that sense even though the improvisation and playing of Airey and Morse is different from Lord's and Blackmore's. I felt Morse's playing was probably too full on all the time, and I wish there was more breathing space there. On the other hand, the sheer assault from him and Airey's powerful sound (massive really) was the 'hard rock' ingredient in the show. Otherwise it would have been closer to jazz
Paicey sounded powerful still, with him and Glover really grooving, even more so now than before? Gillan's lung capacity decreased but tone intact (and dignified because of the latter). There is only one Gillan and there's no faking it, nor will there be. So if he has to go to the tent every now and then in order to recuperate, then so be it...
Airey now almost the driving force with his sound, his solos on the Hammond often manic. In fact, when his proper solo spot started I thought he had already had one (starting Lazy). By the time Hush came around I had lost track of the number of lengthy workouts he'd had, but the solos are the format of the show now and will continue to be I think. A slight reduction of these with Gillan singing a bit more and the balance would have been perfect. Switching Apres Vous out for another opener would also be wise.
Perfect Strangers a crowd highlight, Gillan's singing making it sound majestic. Paicey's snare hit at the ending, Gillan front of the stage hands raised, lights out, classic. All hands in the air clapping after this one.
Goosebumps for me as well when Paicey closed out his solo, the fast part. He just sounded so powerful, sharp and one of a kind.
I actually enjoyed the newer songs more than say Space Truckin (played too laid back), just to hear Gillan pull these off close to the studio versions, and really giving it his all in order to do so. The tent beckoned afterwards...
If I were to sum up the show with one word it would probably be dignified.
Rating by DP standards: 4/6
Rating by normal standards: 5/6
Last edited by danielb, 12/2/2014, 9:13
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12/2/2014, 9:08
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Concrete god
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Re: Copenhagen Feb 11 - my review
Thanks for the review Daniel. Actually made me regret not seeing them some.
--- ConcreteGod
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12/2/2014, 9:44
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danielb
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Re: Copenhagen Feb 11 - my review
You should have gone CG but next time...
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12/2/2014, 9:48
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Eirik Solum
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Re: Copenhagen Feb 11 - my review
Dignified! Thats the word.
And so good to hear them with great sound. I'd definitely go to see them again.
But should we be concerned re the smaller crowds?
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12/2/2014, 10:03
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danielb
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Re: Copenhagen Feb 11 - my review
Norwegian dates seem to have done well. In Copenhagen they used to play the KB Halle (now burned down), going way back. Capacity around 3,000. So they don't seem to draw more in that area for some reason. 2,100 and a sellout last night.
Around 3,000 in Sandviken is also a decent turnout.
In mainland Europe they still seem to be playing the big arenas so I think it's pretty much business as usual there.
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12/2/2014, 10:24
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RatBatBlu
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Re: Copenhagen Feb 11 - my review
Nice review! Assuming they play somewhere close to me, I'll most likely go.
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12/2/2014, 14:10
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Rezi
Registered: 04-2004
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Re: Copenhagen Feb 11 - my review
Thanks, Daniel!
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13/2/2014, 6:43
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Concrete god
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Re: Copenhagen Feb 11 - my review
quote: danielb wrote:
Norwegian dates seem to have done well. In Copenhagen they used to play the KB Halle (now burned down), going way back. Capacity around 3,000. So they don't seem to draw more in that area for some reason. 2,100 and a sellout last night.
Around 3,000 in Sandviken is also a decent turnout.
In mainland Europe they still seem to be playing the big arenas so I think it's pretty much business as usual there.
I have this feeling that the more "trendy" a city feel it is, the less people would turn up for a band like dp..?
That why they don't do Stockholm anymore either, no one under 45 would turn up..
--- ConcreteGod
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13/2/2014, 8:52
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danielb
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Re: Copenhagen Feb 11 - my review
I think it's because they've played some of these places so recently (Gothenburg, Stockholm etc) that they're hitting the secondary markets, so to speak.
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13/2/2014, 9:39
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Apolllo
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Re: Copenhagen Feb 11 - my review
Very nice review !! Thanks for that, can't wait to see them again !!
About the crowds, It's of course a matter of demand and offer. I know in France they will do more crowd in "secondary" cities like Lyon or Bordeaux than in Paris were there are so much show and they've toured so often that not all people who might be interested in the show go every time. But in Belgium last time they played Forest (in Brussels), it was sold out with more than 8000 people...
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13/2/2014, 18:26
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