Hello,

Something a bit different for me last night, hah-hah! Sparks were one of my earliest memories as far as 'musical TV' goes : I can still remember thinking to my five-and-a-half year old self, "Who on Earth is that bloke playing the piano-thing?" as I saw the band mime to their still-barnstorming 1974 single...

[www.youtube.com]

Fast-forward 38 years and I get to see the Mael brothers onstage. Not all their songs are my bag, but Russell Mael still has a hell of a voice and is far from a static presence. Ron can certainly play the keyboards like a man possessed and it was extraordinary how dense he could make the sounds er, sound.

They are still a little mental, camp as you like, obviously talented and do give it 100% for the 90 minute show. Oh yeah, and not without a sense of humour either when they swap places towards the end and Ron cuts the rug- the funniest thing I'll see this week!











Cheers,

Simon.

Saw them back in their heyday and they were absolutely fantastic. Don't doubt they can still cut it.

(Unlike some but we won't go there! )

Good to see you enjoyed it simon.

Sparks continue to amaze, and have been on an upswing since their "Lil' Beethoven" album ten years ago.

Last summer I attended the staging of "The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman" at the John Anson Ford Theatre in L.A. It was a fantastic night, better than anything I expected.

They don't have wide appeal, but they are brilliant and their fans love them.

Hello,

Apart from the stuff that you learn about The Stones, *this* is why I love IORR and value the people who post here. Well most of them, at any rate hah-hah-hah!

It is the diversity of musical tastes and shared experiences that I just don't see in too many other places. Just great to see...

Re Sparks: I would jump at the chance to see them with a band...or maybe I'm just chasing the thrill and awe that the five-and-a-half year old me had when he saw 'This Town...'!

Cheers,

Simon.

SPARKS!!!!!! One of my favorite albums of all time is Kimono My House. I have sent them emails through their website to play in the US to no response. Too bad. I saw that they played that album in full a few years ago which I would have paid through the nose to get to had I known about it. I don't believe they ever play in the US which is sad but understandable.