Adding Caroline Indjean has made a difference, I think. But I am still trying to enjoy Jimi Tops's bass- it does not have the bite or roaming creativity of Bubu, seeming more to play the main line each time without embellishment. I could not see him pulling off KMX B12 quite yet. Not a slam on him; I just miss Bubu.
from flytomars- thanks!
I'm not lazy. I just work so fast I'm always done.
Yep, I share these sentiments exactly RE Jimmy Top. He is a nimble player but doesn't have the extra OOMPH his father had. And Bubu... best of both worlds, both nimble and balls of steel.Originally Posted by Dana5140
Though I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised from both Jimmy and Rudi, they sounded better to me than previous clips online.
Ya know they've played Stateside several times in the last 23 years, right? THey even did a full blown tour a few years ago.
Sounds like Jimmy Top is getting better, but those are some pretty monster sized shoes that Bubu wore, that are tough to fill.
Neil
My bad luck and somewhat narrow experience, then, to have only become aware of them in the past year or so.
Still looking for any reports on The Utopia Strong's opening set(s)...
David
Happy with what I have to be happy with.
Listening now to the recordings of the shows, a few insights:
It wasnt my imagination (or delirium due to the extreme heat), the first of the 2 shows was not as good as the second. The drumming was not tight (especially on the first song and on KA), the singing was sometimes off-key (I suspect due to monitor problems) so all in all it was an OK show but not on par with the Magma standards. In addition to this, I am not a fan of the ER extended Hhai and Zombies and prefer the original versions- they seem to be dragging, without adding any new information. I know they were performed like this on the seventies but still...
Also Hhai and Zombies were not too tight in the keyboards section and needed several atomic snare hits from Vander to get things back in order.
I also think Jimmy Top is not yet ready to play such a bass heavy song as Zombies- it was not as powerful as previous renditions. On the bright side, the ER vocal intro was superb and definately benefited from the added vocalists.
Regarding the new material- for me it was hit and miss, the first song, Walomendëm warreï (written by Thiery Elias) was nice, in the Magma style we all so love, and grown on me from show to show. The second new piece- (haken deis? Didn't catch the name) which Stella told the story of how it was found on a tape cassette recorded in 79- should have stayed on that cassette, imho. I think Cristian was influenced from watching too much Love Boat when he wrote it. (I am not a fan of the 79 compositions- retrovision etc, nor of the Bobino concert, nor the Merci album which suddenly became every one's guilty pleasure).
Irena Baladdina was a nice little bosa nova piece that started with the chords of Kobaia but then drifted into something else, I think it is a good piece akin to Klaus Kombalad and other Magma "soft" songs and has a really nice and lush melody.
On to the second show- first off, the temperature was sanerThe first half of the show was similar to the day before, which made me worry a little that they won't do MDK which I was hoping to see (after the fabulous rendition for Arte TV).
Stella remarked on the similar setlist that they wanted to play the new material but I suspect it was also because they were not too pleased with the first show (if it was solely to showcase the new material then why was KA done again?). I think the first show did not do the new material the justice it deserves, hence it was all done again, this time flawlessly (apart for some technical problems with the keyboard, but the overall energy was much better so it did not hinder the performance)
In the second show we also got a quiet contemplative keyboard ditty that started off with a fender rhodes solo which was then augmented with some moog flurishes and then some bass- it was not a typical magma piece, having no drums or vocals, but it served well as an interlude before MDK. Vander was standing at his post, listening attentively and I think I even saw him wipe a tear from his eye... naaah, that's highly improbable
Stella then introduced the band and then those sounds I've been waiting for... the pulsating bass and keyboards signaling the begining of MDK.
And what an MDK! Definately one of the best I've seen, energetic, dynamic, almost flawless (marred just a little with the aforementioned keyboard buzzing problem).
The show ended with "the night we died" to soothe the mind after the powerhouse that is MDK, with some inspired vocals from CV. By the way all the CV vocal duties sounded really emotional to me, may be I have changed and grown old and mushy but it was the first time I noticed how soulful they are (in a good way, not the "America got talent" soulful).
All in all 2 great shows, the first was an OK Magma show (which is better than most of the bands alive today) and the second show transcended to the spiritual experience which some Magma shows achieve
Some clips for your viewing pleasure:
17/6/22
Some more clips - 18/6/22 :
And some snippets from the amazing MDK:
Rudy is a great replacement for James, even though he's not as virtuoso as Jim Grandcamp. Rudy can nail the lyrical development in guitar solos James excelled at, something not really up to Jim's more lockwood-ish aproach to soloing.
bassist in Papangu, a zeuhl metal band from Brazil https://papangu.bandcamp.com/album/holoceno
Indeed, I was pleasantly surprised, having only seen the Arte clip in which he was so so IMHO.
I was at the Saturday show, it was my first ever Magma show, I really enjoyed it, and I’m especially pleased how highly you rated MDK, I thought it was sensational so great to know I saw a top level performance. Where I was stood I had a good view of Jimmy the whole gig, difficult for me to comment on him against others but I thought he did a great job. Thanks for posting the clips I will enjoy watching again.
The Utopia Strong were excellent on Saturday. They played 3 extended numbers, a lot of sequencing in the first and last pieces, the middle was a bit more of a drifting piece. Michael York seemed to be running the heavier sequences, Steve Davis sat at modular I would guess doing a lot of the textures, Kavus was busy on harmonium, guitar, vocals and crouched down out of my sight presumably adjusting pedals and other fx. Michael York also played bagpipes and flute at various times. I would say there was quite a bit of a Berlin school sound in the first track with the sequencers going full tilt, and the last track was a bit more kraut rock with Kavus on guitar. I was already a bit of a fan of their CDs but live they were really good, I hope I manage to see them later in the summer playing a full set. Magma had no merch for sale so TUS seemed to be doing very well with their merch after the show selling out of books and CDs.
I also enjoyed them, here is a small clip from Saturday`s show:
that's awesome...do we have a thread on Utopia Strong anywhere? I really dug their debut, and the pieces I've heard of the second sound amazing. This double bill must've been incredible.
do we have any clue what this new album is going to be? would love to hear some new compositions but I fear it's gonna be a lot of unfinished stuff from 4 decades ago
Critter Jams "album of the week" blog: http://critterjams.wordpress.com
Here's a 2019 Utopia Strong concert....
https://www.progressiveears.org/foru...01#post1128701
I've seen all cruel people bashing heads each day so sadistic I'm on my way.
You mean Magma new album?
According to what Stella said it will have these pieces that they played-
Walomendëm warreï - a piece written by Thiery Elias, perhaps not as inspired as the Christian Vander composed material, sounds like it was tailor made for Magma (in Kobaian), which is not necessarily bad. It is a nice canvas for CV to play upon.
Unknown piece- Stella introduced it as Haken Deis or something like that, on the lists it appears as Stevie Vander, I did not like it that much and it is indeed a piece from 4 decades ago (which should have been left on the shelf, but I might be wrong... need to listen to the studio version)
Irina Balladina- a nice bosa tinged ballad that starts off with the chords of Kobaia, I liked it, also an old piece. And another new tune was played but I dont know if it will be featured in the album- a nice quiet Fender Rhodes / moog piece with some bass and that is all, I liked it.
There will probably be more... I wonder what they played in Manchester, anyone been there and can comment?
NP - Utopia Strong vinyl I bought
Isabelle now has a full arm sleeve tattoo?
Their recent instagram reels have had them rehearsing Walomendem warrei- which does sound like Magma of old and will get better as they play it more.
I'm not lazy. I just work so fast I'm always done.
Turns out the beautiful quiet rhodes/moog/bass piece is a cover for Michel Grallier:
https://youtu.be/6zvhi87ltQ4
Yes, it's a highlight of the 2020 live album...
Calyx (Canterbury Scene) - http://www.calyx-canterbury.fr
Legends In Their Own Lunchtime (blog) - https://canterburyscene.wordpress.com/
My latest books : "Yes" (2017) - https://lemotetlereste.com/musiques/yes/ + "L'Ecole de Canterbury" (2016) - http://lemotetlereste.com/musiques/lecoledecanterbury/ + "King Crimson" (2012/updated 2018) - http://lemotetlereste.com/musiques/kingcrimson/
Canterbury & prog interviews - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdf...IUPxUMA/videos
London Euston station flashmob June 19
https://www.facebook.com/zeuhlwortzm...91847595636626
Hervé Aknin Stella by Starlight Baz Zanhka Sylvie Fisichella lLora Yma Perso Caroline Indjein Thierry ELIEZ Simon Goubert Christian Vander
Magma will play at Monte-Carlo Opera, Monaco, on november 27, 6pm, with Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra. Tickets at https://ticket-online.montecarlolive.com/
Amazing. Wish I had been there.
Alas a bit to far away.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks