| Oslo concert review |
| Country: Norway City: Oslo Arena: Valhall Date: 25/03/01 |
| Minor Earth Major Sky Opening numbers are always special. You have such an adreneline rush that you really don't don't care what they're singing, just that they are there. But I did my best in the listening aspect and I must say that "Minor Earth Major Sky" is very good live. The lighting effects and the sound was great and the audience really loved it! 8 p The Sun Never Shone That Day Catchy: yes Fun to watch: yes Did a-ha perform it with joy: yes Good song: No. I don't understand this one at all. The more I hear it, the more I dislike it. I just wanna hear them sing "The Sun ALWAYS SHINES ON TV"! 4 p Little Black Heart I like this song in some ways, but in this concert.. Well it was kinda lost since it isn't an a-ha highlight. 5 p I've Been Losing You The first classic a-ha song to show up and I was filled with joy. But, what did I hear? Not the rocky version from "Live In South America", but a lame album version that really felt like they didn't have the strength to perorm it with power. The evenings biggest dissapointment! 6 p Manhattan Skyline Now the boys really show their TRUE power! For the first time in the evening I felt my heart was jumping of joy! Just like the live version on the "Move To Memphis" single they perform this with a lot of interludes and twists. It really is so much better live then on cd! The best part was when Morten jumped on the stage and sang the final part of the song starting with: "But how can you say, that I didn't try?". With that line I started crying. 10 p Thought That It Was You After the breathtaking "Manhattan Skyline" number it was hard to focus on the next song, which by the way has been called one of the more anonymos songs from "Minor Earth Major Sky" (not by me though). Anyway, I like this song and Morten sings it beautifully and makes this number very good. 8 p I Wish I Cared Great! Annelie supports Morten well in the refrain and the music feels great. Very nice! 9 p Cry Wolf Haha, this is as I mention earlier in my reviews a-ha's worst song. But I have to admit, who can resist singing along in the cryyy wooollf refrain? The song remains lame, but in concert its a true audience favourite! 4 p Mery Ellen Makes The Moment Count Still boring... 5 p Stay On These Roads A beautiful acoustic performance. It really outclasses the album version! It feels so sad.. Annelie (as always) contributes a lot in the refrain. 9 p Early Morning A-ha sticks with the acoustic sound and performs the best "Early Morning" I have ever heard! Its a lot different from their previous live gigs. Much more feeling and not so much rock. It suits the song perfectely. I have always felt something was missing in this song and now I know what. Calm and Sensetive singing. 9 p You'll Never Get Over Me This one sounds great! Annelie and Mortens voices floats together like water... 8 p Velvet Magne on guitars.. Strange, I can't feel the a-ha touch in this song (I know its a Savoy song). 6 p The Sun Always Shines On Tv Still the best live song a-ha got! 10 p The Living Daylights I should mention that this is my favourite a-ha song, so my hopes were set up way too high (ha ha) and maybe that was why I didn't enjoy it completely. I really don't like how a-ha perform this bond track live. The song looses its meaning at the live gigs. It turns in to a simple "sing along song". I can almost sense that a-ha doesn't even want to sing this one and lets the audience take over completely. Of course I enjoy singing: oohhhh the living daylights ahhh the living daylights with all the other fans, I am just irritated how they performed the verses. The song is dark, perform it dark!!! 8 p Hunting High And Low Beautiful as always. Pauls acoustic guitar is on fire here, burning everyones soul.. 10 p Summer Moved On Very Good. It is still the best song from Minor Earth Major Sky. And of course the famous 20 second aaaaask was a big highlight! 9 p Crying In The Rain Here a-ha has made a huge mistake on the playlist. Puting one of their most moody and beatiful songs before the concerts highlight "Take On Me"! It was totally lost among all the fans singing lalala Take On Me. I was so mad, I tried to listen but I was irritated by all the Take On Me fans and that Annelie had a part in this one. Morten should have performed it solo, it would hcve been much more moody and dramatic. 7 p Take On Me And here it was. The one that half the audience was waiting for. What can I say, it was great. Paul was mad with guitar! Magne was hot at the synth! Morten sang it with joy and remembered almost all of the lyrics! A true hit this one! 10 p Angel in The Snow Beautiful. What more can I say? 8 p |