Just got back last night from 4 nights in London, taking in 3 Sparks' shows; 'Kimono My House', 'Propaganda' and 'Indiscreet'. Apparently the shiningly accomplished LA/Detroit-based backing band did 4 months' of solid rehearsals for the 256 songs featured across the 21 nights. These gigs were special, not just because they're such a fine band, but because they were the first-ever band I got to see play live - at Birmingham Odeon back in 1975. A year or so earlier, 'This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us' was the first pop single I ever fell in love with - and
to - buts that's another story! But rather than simply this being a nostalgia trip, in a way that's perhaps hard to explain, these gigs were a kind of personal re-evaluation of where I've come from on my own musical adventure - something I'm sure the Mael Bros, are experiencing many, many times over via these performances. Russ and Ron are such genuinely warm and funny blokes, too.
Thanks also to Mr A. for both putting me up and putting up with me.
John
