Thursday, April 27, 2000 Ole Blues Festival, Bergen, Norway (Night 1)

Report by Sali

The show started exactly on time at 11pm with the Morroccan alarm clock. The band received a huge welcome from the Norewgian (plus 3) audience.

Robert in black sparkly shirt, black trousers and black soft pull on boots welcomed us to the band’s first international appearance. Owen appeared brandishing a video camera which he was obviuosly itching to use, so Robert asked for the lights to be turned on the audience for a quick bit of videoing. This was very popular.

At first the sound was a bit muddy but it was sorted out and although one, possibly two of the band members were possibly a little tired from the travelling they were soon infected by the energy in the room and a lively evening ensued. There were particularly enthusiastic performances by Alistair Crowley on drums and Owen Glendwr on keyboards and acoustic guitar. Alistair was highly energetic and focused, producing some delicate fills and dainty touches amongst the driving power. Owen was apparently fresh from another border skirmish and wearing the spoils of war to prove it - huge baggy jeans, a T shirt with some number on it and a Body and Soul hat pulled right down to his eyes. He seemed particulary keen to get stuck in to Darkness Darkness - perhaps he enjoys it as much as I do - He certainly wasn’t going to wait for anyone else to be ready but they caught on And Alistair was there with his chimes. Owen and Carlisle really got it together, Carlisle almost laid back in places (!) while Owen fairly fizzed. Meanwhile the newly named Eric Bolldaxe on guitar made it all look so easy throbbing away underneath it all. Still waters run deep, especially in the fjiords. The bassline from Darkness was still in my head throughout the following day.

Endings are becoming particulary flambouyant with some notable leaps from Carlisle Egypt, complicated flourishes from Alistair and Owen’s fingers whizzing up and down the keyboard and Robert seemingly able to do anything he wants to do with his voice at the moment, we got some powerful, soulful wails.

The third song was new to me - I’m looking forward to getting to know it. I particularly enjoyed Bluebird. Robert sat down for this one. His voice was in fine form, sounding relaxed and melodic and he really got into soaring mode, complete with actions. There was a teasing hint of Light my Fire as they went into the bridge, and some light hearted reggae got an enthusiastic moving in the audience. For Carpenter Robert moved the music stand away, always a relief to the photographers but also to those of us who want to see the man as well as hear him.

Think was less powerful and dynamic than it has been but GLORIA made up for it with immediate and powerful audience participation. We all agreed with the sentiments of Baby Please Don’t Go at the end of nearly 90 minutes of pure pleasure.

article courtesy Sali, who allowed the contents of her Calling to You website to be added to ManicNirvana.com.