Damian gets emotional as his favourite band visits
I first saw sparks at the Birmingham Odeon on November 6th 1975 on the Indiscreet tour so it`s always a very emotional time when I get to them. The brothers Mael almost seem like my eccentric extended family, who come and visit every couple of years. They have a wonderful new album, Hippopotamus, which has reached the top ten and the 1500 capacity Institute, once a Methodist congregational chapel, is rammed to the guilders. The brothers are backed by a five-piece band and kick off tonight`s show with “What the Hell is it this time?” from said album. A track about God being overworked, being asked for trivial indulgences and being fed up. The opening tracks from 1975`s `Propaganda` album follow with title track “Propaganda” and “At Work At Home At Play”
Russell takes time to says that the brothers are delighted to be back in Birmingham and gives a shout out to Birmingham born Mervyn “Muff” Winwood, brother of Blues musician Steve, who produced their albums `Kimono My House` and `Propaganda. `
There is always at least one track on a Sparks album that gets into your subconscious and you end up singing and humming it all day. The next two songs are examples of such with the bouncy “Good Morning” from `Exotic Creatures Of The Deep` and the extremely danceable “When Do I Get To Sing My Way” from `Gratuitous Sax And Senseless Violins`
There is a brilliant new album to promote and we have three songs from this with a song about absentmindedness by means of the quirky “Probably Nothing”, the second about the championing of and the joys of a popular sexual act with “Missionary Position” and the album title track “Hippopotamus”
Where else in a song would you get references to the Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch and Titus Andronicus, the Roman General from the William Shakespeare play. Genius lyrics and a melody that will have you singing the chorus all day long.
A song that I don`t think I’ve ever heard live is aired with the idiosyncratic “Sherlock Holmes” from 1982`s `Angst In My Pants` followed by the equally amusing “Dick Around”.
It`s back to the recent release and a ditty that champions the delights of beautifully constructed furniture. with “Scandinavian Design”, followed by a heart-breaking song about somebody whose life parallels the short life of the French cabaret singer with “Edith Piaf (Said it Better than Me). “The refrain of `Life fast and die young` is almost painful.
A 1974 top twenty hit single is shared in the form of the ballad “Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth” Another couple of inimitable songs are next with “I Wish You Were Fun”, an imaginative reflection on a partner that is wonderful in every respect except humour and “My Babys Taking Me Home” The show is closed out with three superb tunes “Number One Song In Heaven”, “This Town Ain`t Big Enough For The Both Of Us” and “Hospitality On Parade.”
The faithful go crazy during `Number One Song` but reach fever pitch when septuagenarian Ron steps up from behind his keyboards, removes his jacket, neatly folds it and counts himself into what can only be described as manic, speed skate dancing, albeit without the aid of the ice. Marvellous to behold.
The band take their bows and exit stage left.
After a couple of minutes of frenzied applause, the band return for a version of “Johnny Delusional” from the collaboration with Franz Ferdinand and finish with “Amateur Hour.” The brothers seem genuinely touched by the warm affection that the audience shows and it`s some time before they leave the stage.
There is no other band like Sparks. They are incomparable, astute, write songs with intelligent lyrics, catchy tunes and melodies. After nearly fifty years in the business, they continue to challenge you both intellectually and musically. As the global lager brand says. If they did bands, Sparks would probably be the best band in the world. For me there is no probably.
