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Live Review
by SashaS
6-5-2003
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| Erasure: flight of a navigator + singer |
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Live: Erasure
Astoria, London
Monday, May 5, 2003
Erasure reaffirm electro-pop glory
When you visit the band’s official website you discover the level of devotion Erasure evokes in, alas, apparently respectable but not overwhelming numbers. They have been an inventive, brave and a duo not afraid to challenge the pop-norm and still Erasure are far from the recognition one would expect them to have commanded by now. The injustice becomes even more apparent when they are onstage.
These two are such a tour-de-force live it is inconceivable they are not playing Wembley Arena. There is the masterful and quiet musical driving force, operating machines like he was born to, Vince Clarke; in front is Andy Bell who is one of the most mesmeric performers: great voice, perfect delivery and enough camp-showmanship to be taking the mickey out of himself and stardom in general.
This is a show postponed from 21 February when Bell developed some throat problem and thus the reschedule. It might be better because we’ve had additional time to familiarise with their versions of ‘Other People’s Songs’ and a fair number are performed tonight but the ‘Greatest Hits’ don’t get overlooked. Goodness after goodness, even the cover-versions we usually abhor artists/bands doing due to simply despising to have sonic memories messed with.
There sure aren’t definitive versions – Johnny Cash’s cover of Depeche Mode’s ‘Personal Jesus’ is another trip altogether – and although new ‘translations’ are necessary for the follow-up generation, arguably, we feel it is less than a second-rate creativity. Still, ‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’’ sounds brilliant and infinitely more passionate than any Pop-Idols rendition.
Tonight’s repertoire is slightly different from a new DVD fans could buy at the show and received with such vibe, you know that many of these happy people will be back for some more fun tonight. Plenty also left with a copy of ‘Sanctuary - The EIS Christmas Concert 2002’, a Live DVD released today. (Aside being available during the tour, it can be purchased from Mute Bank, www.mutebank.co.uk). The concert was shot in Widescreen and mixed in 5.1 Surround Sound; the DVD features footage from their spectacular EIS Christmas Show in 2002 and marks the first time the band performed live tracks from the current disc.
Filmed at the Sanctuary in Birmingham on Friday, 13 December 2002, the DVD includes a visual roller coaster ride through the band’s ‘Greatest Hits’, all performed tonight also, including favourites such as ‘Stop!’, ‘Sometimes’, ‘A Little Respect’, ‘Oh L'Amour’, ‘Love To Hate You’ and the previous Top Ten hit from ‘Other People’s Songs’, ‘Solsbury Hill’ (plus exclusive interview with Clarke and Bell).
The fans, and this humble scribe, thought it – fabulous!
SashaS
6-5-2003
Erasure’s DVD ‘Sanctuary - The EIS Christmas Concert 2002’ is released 05 May 2003 on Mute
Erasure’s album ‘Other People’s Songs’ is available now on Mute
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