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TEN
YEARS AFTER ROCKS HANNOVER,
GERMANY
Friday
APRIL 11, 2008
Travel
Journal:
We
tried to get an early start but ended up leaving later
than we really wanted. There was no way to beat the
Friday traffic rush on the “Warsaw Highway” . Take
a few million commuters, half in cars and the other
half in trucks – put them all on three lanes heading
east, then funnel them into one narrow lane and it
becomes a calculated nightmare. Inch by inch / mile
after mile for two hours. Same situation as in past
reviews, just a different day.
Pre-Concert
Dinner:
Even
so, we still arrived early enough to relax for a
dinner with friends at a cosy little Spanish restaurant. We
spent a few hours there and had the best meal.
We had the chance to converse, compare notes
and enjoy each other’s company.
Queue
Up at the Door:
Single
file folks, don’t push, buy your tickets and get
your hand stamped. A respectable, organized stampede
of music fans anxious to enter the venue. This is our
second visit here and I’d like it to be duly noted
that the staff and management here were excellent in
every way, not only for us the fans but also their
attention to detail in supporting the band in all the
technical details.
I
sit and talk with Ric’s contact person who is
responsible for getting Ten Years After to return
after the bands last performance here a year ago. Pre
ticket sales were very impressive, and the icing on
the cake was the strong ticket sales at the door.
It’s
another full house, standing room only, from the floor
boards to the rafters in the balcony.
FULL
TILT ROCK and ROLL:
The
band enters, they look happy and rested (which I’m
sure they’re not) and they’re ready to rock. The
audience is ready as well and just waiting to let
loose some harmonious positive vibrations upon the
band.
Right
from the get go the band goes into full throttle mode,
then tromps the accelerator right to the floor
just to make sure all systems are in motion. The
bass / drum rhythm section is reminiscent of two
things, the first reminds me of Tim Bogert and Carmine
Appice at the height of their Cactus years, which was
also the same time that Ten Years After were playing
to sold out crowds in venue after venue. In fact,
Cactus was the opening band for TYA in those heady
days of kick-ass arena rock and outdoor festival
gatherings with its marijuana / acid induced high
energy combination ……and tonight folks it’s all
back – the only difference is, cold German brew has
replaced the drug scene of yesterday….everything
else is in
full force!
RAZOR’S
EDGE PEFORMANCE:
Leo
and Ric are setting the pace and leading the way
tonight. Chick is showing a strong enthusiasm to be
counted in on this occasion. Joe is in full control in
his front man position, but his attitude seems to be
on a different level, he’s one of the boy’s in the
band. He’s comfortable, confident and supporting the
others now.
While
this goes unnoticed to the average observer, I view
this part of the bands current evolution as a critical
improvement and essential to the entire dynamics of
the situation.
It
wasn’t that long ago that Leo, Ric and Chick were
supporting Joe. Joe was the pivot point of the band,
making his stand and proving that he was worthy of
that lofty position. It took time, it always takes time and
gig after gig the band has finally made the mix
complete.
TRIAL
BY FIRE:
“Ten
Years After Now” -
have paid their dues once again, once more and
the same as in their past history. This time it’s
going to be permanent, well at least as secure as any
fleeting structure can claim to be. Ten Years After
today are laying down their definitive history.
They’ve accomplished what the many said couldn’t
be done, they’ve continued on as
Ten
Years After, they’ve written and recorded new music,
they continue touring in between projects and most
importantly, they’ve progressed well beyond their
own Woodstock legend.
TEN
YEARS AFTER NOW – IS INSPIRED:
The
band always seems to land on their feet, they’re
four cats with nine lives, and even if they seem down
and out they bounce back. Not only to rebound but
surpass their own previous accomplishments, while at
the same time setting new goals.
So
it is on this night that Ten Years After has reached
new heights, broken through another milestone and set
yet another precedent.
They
are first and foremost the most proficient musicians
that have ever graced a stage.
Secondly, they’re top notch entertainers, doing what
they love doing, playing and entertaining.
Thirdly,
they’re second to none in expertise and experience.
On
this night Ten Years After have done something that
even I hadn’t expected this soon, they rocked with a
heavier sound and with more passion and joy than ever
before.
Their instruments are used less as assault weapons,
that were screaming for vengeance, justice
and vindication and more as tools of musical
architecture in the higher pursuit of perfecting
their craft / art.
Ten
Years After are now one cohesive, self expressive,
innovative, hard working unit.
Every
member is just as important as the other. All
members are focused on the moment and supporting each
other in that endeavour.
Their interaction is a refreshing brotherhood,
onstage and off.
THE
AUDIENCE:
They
sang along, danced and were bobbing up and down to the music.
Some were reserved while others were dancing as on fire
and slightly crazy from all the bands energy. All in
all the audience was tight with the band right from
the start…and everyone in the room was overcome with
elation and positive energy. One thrived off of the
other until everyone was totally satisfied and drained.
THE
SOUND:
The
sound was superb, balanced / perfect. It was loud,
and
comfortable.
IN
CONCLUSION:
Fantastic
performance, quality sound, expert musicianship –
great entertainers all.
Joe's
attitude now reflects his equal status in everything
that's good and stands for Ten Years After.
He’s
comfortable, talented and like the others, driven to
perfection and giving one hundred percent every moment.
A
flawless performance, by a legendary band that not
only retains their historic status, but has also
worked their way right into the hallowed halls of rock
n' roll immortality
!
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The
following section is dedicated to TEN YEARS
AFTER, Tom and Wolfie -
and our German friends and devoted fans
from East, West, North and South of Germany:
Anita, Betti, Jessica, Axel, Thomas, Reinhard, Jens, Dave, Brigitte
and
many more...
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A
great time was had by all !
Photos
© Brigitte & Dave |
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