Once again, I travelled to Denmark, this time to Soenderborg, a beautiful town of which most parts are located on the Isle of Als, with 26,000 residents. We had wonderful weather, a blue sky, and the sun was shining, so I walked along the beach and the seaside, enjoying the sunshine. The way back led me to the castle which is situated just in front of the seaside, and I decided to visit it. Later, I went for a stroll around the town. There were beautiful old houses just like in Aabenraa, and there was also the poster announcing the show for tonight.
Soenderborghus is a place for cultural events and activities. The concert took place in the hall of theatre in the first floor, a very large room with a high ceiling. I counted sixteen tables with five chairs each, three tables put in a row, with candles on them. The stage is about one metre high, and large enough for theatre plays. At the right hand side, there are stairs which serve as an access to the stage. The tables are scattered around in the vast space, so the atmosphere is not really cosy.
I arrived around 5 p.m., and Paul was about to do his sound check. A bit later, Kevin, Robert, and Al turned up, and Rune arrived a minute later, he had been at home in Copenhagen for two days. Dean had already left the band to return to Scotland. It took a long time before the onstage monitor mix and the sound were optimised. Moreover, all spotlights had to be tried out and adjusted.
In the meantime, Nigel and a few of his friends had arrived from Aabenraa, and he told me he had been asked by Kevin to act as support. I was happy to finally see him on stage, and to be able to listen to his music. After the sound check, we all went to the caf� together, the guys were served their food, and I tried the delicious apple pie. I was very happy to get hold of a tour poster, and would like to say thanks for that.
The show opened with Nigel Ray Beck. Kevin introduced him as a good friend from Aabenraa he had brought to open the show, a wonderful Danish singer/songwriter. Nigel started with Struck Me Off Your List, which he said is a pre-divorced song. Then he told us he thought about what songs he would play tonight, and he declared his intention to play mostly bar room songs. The next song, which he had written before Christmas, is a typical bar song: lonely guys sitting in a bar room and drinking beer, called Do I Go Home Alone? Then came Back For You, and he continued with a morbid song called Red Wine And Roses. Then followed Three Times Crazy For You, and another bar room song called BimboDancer. Next was De Soto Girl, and he explained us that a De Soto is an old American car. Nigel finished his brilliant set with Singing through a Lesley, and the audience showed him their enthusiasm with big applause.
After the break Robert introduced Kevin and Al, left the stage to them, and the set started with Red Blooded American Boy and I Can't Drive You From My Mind. They were great songs to start, really catchy numbers. Then Robert, Paul and Rune appeared on stage, and the entire band broke into the song Another Long Story, then they continued to deliver a wide range of soft numbers and rocking pieces as you can see on the set list.
After the song Your Kind Of Love Robert told us that they met Rune the first time while teaching in Copenhagen, and funny, now he turned back to a fifteen-year old!!!! Before starting his song Wishing, Kevin told a bit about Buddy Holly and his dad, and Robert said that he was impressed to discover the Buddy Holly Pub & Dancing Club there in Soenderborg.
My personal highlights of the soft songs were Stumbled, Angel Tonight, and Near Perfect Smile, presented with such an emotion you can only be impressed. The lyrics were touching and the music complimented them well. Toward to the end of the gig, they kicked into the songs Cajun Song, Melrose, and Ooh Las Vegas, every bit of them energetic and terrific. Of course, the crowd wanted to hear more, and Kevin, Al and Robert returned to the stage for the encore Fear Nothing. Then Paul and Rune turned up, and at the end of the show, they all delivered the great powerful medley American Girl / Not Fade Away. The audience loved it very much, and got all enthusiastic.
Another great night, the guys created an atmosphere that's informal, personal, and very humorous at the same time, and they shared vocals on the songs and harmonized together. And the audience's participation made a great atmosphere.
After the concert, I had the opportunity to meet the guys, and got autographs, I had the poster signed, and all of a sudden, it was close to burning: as Rune was about to sign it, he shoved it over the table, touching the flame of a candle. Fortunately, we noticed the flame just in time. I absolutely wanted to shoot a photo of the band, this time with a perfect flash. Thus, I asked Robert to organize the photo shooting. Again, it took a while before they all got together, and the only one that could not be found anywhere was Rune. I shot three photos, cautiously this time, and as I don't want to decide which one I should use, I'll show you all three. In the meantime, the tables and chairs had been removed, and it was time to say good-bye to the guys.
It was a great time, and I was happy to have attended a total of three shows of their tour of continental Europe. After all, in May 2001, I had missed the opportunity to watch Paint live.
Lou
Nigel Ray Beck (opening set)
Strike Me Off Your List
Do I Go Home Alone?
Back For You
Red Wine And Roses
Three Times Crazy For You
Bimbo Dancer
De Soto Girl
Singing Through A Lesley
Kevin Montgomery
and Al Perkins
Red Blooded American Boy
I Can't Drive You From My Mind
Kevin Montgomery
& The Road Trippers
Another Long Story
Let's All Go To California
Your Kind Of Love
I Don't Even Know Your Name
I Wish I Were Blind
Wishing
You Shook Me All Night Long
Tennessee Girl
Angel Tonight
Near Perfect Smile
Dragon Fly
Stumbled
Cajun Song
Melrose
Ooh Las Vegas
Encores:
Fear Nothing
American Girl / Not Fade Away
Aabenraa
Pics
Soenderborg (this page)
Pics
Fan Pics
My favorite Links
www.louhamburg.de
INDEX
tour poster
Left: Soenderborghus
Below: the Buddy Holly
Pub and Dancing Club
