Concert Review: Braunschweig, Germany - May 12, 2004
Claudia Schreiber:
Ok-here we go! First of all the stage decoration is much more detailed this time, with a slightly more effort on the lightshow as well. That's probably why Chris was dressed in a white shirt instead of black so far...this decoration includes also about 14 monitors, hanging from the ceiling at the back of the stage. There are several songs, when the monitors are being used to show symbols referring to the songs, eg. a snowy tree with falling snow during "Snow is falling". The next thing is that Chris uses a electric piano which can also do some choirs, strings and different sounds, which he uses quiet well. The first show contained the trilogy from "Into the Light", and the part "What about me" was being played in the original version through the speakers, with full instruments. Unfortunatly the voice was also full playback in the last part, and Chris (as usual) missed his moments of when to sing-maybe that's why they exchanged that song into "Guilty secret" yesterday...Chris needs a little practice for playback-or, even better, should sing that part live as the rest of the show! Also during 1 or 2 other songs there's a orchestra or band bit coming in addition of Chris' live playing, which sounds real good. I'm amazed that they make it fit together so perfect! The second best surprise is that for a medley of 5-7 songs Chris uses a headset, a microphone which is put around his head, so he can run around the stage while singing and playing the guitar, and both concerts he came walking down from the stage, singing-while walking through the whole venue!!! That's real fun, makes everybody stand up and clap and sing along. Maybe that would be even better later during the show, because it's hard to convince the audience to sit down again after that... And then, finally the biggest surprise is, what was already mentioned on the list: During the chorus of "Read my name" there are the names of (I think Astrid said) about 150 fans shown on this monitors in the back of the stage, and that is the most loveliest idea I have ever seen (maybe because my name's on it???) - it makes me have a gooseskin to see! THANK YOU!!!!!!! The names change depending on the music, and when there is a slow part in the song, in Berlin Claudia Gerike's name was stopping on the monitors, so that she had time enough to see it though she can hardly see at all! What a luck :-))) Folks, to be honest, after having tickets for 36 (*shame*) concerts this year, I was getting afraid that I might be bored at some time, BUT: it's soooooooo much fun this time!!!!! And all the songs that I could not hear anymore have gone, replaced by songs like Such a long way home Rainy night in Paris Tender hands or It's me (all of them sung in a completely different key, style and sound!!!!!) I'm glad to attend at all the places...and I'm honestly sorry for all of you who will miss it. Maybe everybody should email Chris or Kenny and ask for a DVD/Video of this tour as it's remarkable. We'll keep you informed with our reviews til then.