La
Manoir, Namur, Belgium 16/10/95
by DENIS DUBUISSON
by DENIS DUBUISSON
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La
Manoir, Namur, Belgium 16/10/95
by DENIS DUBUISSON
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Moondog Jr opened the Belgian leg of their european tour this monday, October 16th in Namur, at the Manoir. The Manoir is a small student bar located in a cellar which gives it a special athmosphere, even though it is not a very beautiful place. Opening for Moondog was La Macchia, a local band from Namur, they did a good job warming up the crowd of 160+ (the show was sold out, first time ever for this place!). Moondog Jr started their set around 9:45pm. The lineup was Tom Pintens (keyboards, sound effects, backing vocals and guitars) on the left, stef (guitar and vocals) in the center front, Benjamin Boutreur (bass saxophone) on the right. Tomas DeSmet (double bass) was standing behind stef and Aarich Jespers (drums) in the far right. Very few light effects, two yellow-orange spotlights, and two beautiful 1950's livingroom lamps which gave a really intimate feel. The show started strongly and i think the audience was not prepared for such a powerful set. Don't mistake me, i don't mean it was loud and straight rock, but incredibly moving; Stef definitely drives this band the same way he glows in dEUS. By the time Moondog was played (second or third song), the groove had filled the Manoir. I was amazed at the beauty of their music combining intelligently all kinds of influences. The first that come in mind are Tom Waits, the Residents, X-Legged Sally, the Tar Babies or the Lounge Lizards, it would be unfaithful to them to stop there. Then the keyboards definitely add a trendy jazzy and funky touch, flowing from triphop to techno at times sounding like Bjork or Money Mark while the double bass warms the rhythm perfectly. Most surprising is that all these influences make a very coherent set together. Some songs started really slowly, with just a few notes and other instruments will after a few minutes progressively fill the rest of the spectrum before reaching a climax i've very seldom experienced musically. I had not heard the album before, except for occasional excerpts of the single on the radio, so i won't even attempt to reconstruct a set list. But i know they blew my mind with an incredible cover of Jacques Brel. Is Stef Brel's secret son??? After around 90 minutes of pure joy, they ended their set, a few songs after having played TV Song. They came back on stage for another three songs and closed the night with Love 609 at around 12:00. I've seen quite a lot of gigs, small or big, jazz or rock, and this one might simply be the best i've ever seen. Moondog is all i ever wanted to experience. Make sure you don't miss them if they drop by close to you, you might regret it... |
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La
Manoir, Namur, Belgium 16/10/95
by DIMITRI DELLA
FAILLE
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C'est avec grand plaisir que j'ai assiste au concert de Moondog Jr. lundi. Partage? La qualit\'e et la longueur de la prestation etaient epoustouflante. Offrir un concert comme celui-la a des etudiants releve d'une drole de politique commerciale (si il y a?). J'ai aussi releve la simplicit\'e (le non-galvaudage) des musiciens. Sais-tu si cela etait un concert Nietzscheen (dEUS is mort!)? O=F9 l'on aura encore droit a d'autres gigs du band (dEUS)? Ce concert m'a reconcilie avec une certaine approche du jazz. Jazz qui etait jusqu'alors pour moi synonyme de torture musicale. Voir dans le volume 3 de ma biographie ma mere \'ecoutant de la musique. Le tortureur va torturer (je suis presse de faire des enfants) avec du Vervloessem-Moondog Jr. tout son entourage. |
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This page contains a comprehensive list of concerts by Zita Swoon and related events. Where the entry is 'clickable' there is more information or reviews to be read on a separate page. If you have any additions (dates, reviews, setlists, corrections etc) to this list, please mail me at zitareviews@mandarinmedia.com and it will included. |
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