unbelievable really - 23 years after they called it a day and here they are
i've had the box set of all their recordings on the mp3 player for a couple of years
said mp3 player used frequently and mostly in random play mode
so tunes from a 3cd set are likely to pop up quite frequently
every single one of their tunes is unique, demanding and rewarding
at the same time as indulging in this recorded stuff i've indulged in live 'jazz'
seen some totally beguiling improvised and composed local music
quite often leading to a comparison to this music from the 80's
a regret that the clowns were never seen live in their heyday
but thankful that their music is now entrenched in my head
and so when i read that they were reforming it was manna to me
special guests at all tomorrows parties made for compulsory attendance
a mid afternoon spot and a desire to be close to the action meant one thing
hot hot hot (appropriately) with the sun beating down as they set up
presumably no soundcheck and limited time to get it all together
some tension on stage as it was clear that there were sound problems
the man himself demonstrating admirable calm under pressure
roadies and stage managers only just managing to deliver the goods
so by the time the first note was struck it was an almighty relief
leading to a comment by ek that absolutely nothing had changed
the first tune saw all sorts of hand signals on stage to side stage
but to my ears the sound was just fine - as unique as recorded
louise elliot blasting away on her sax as though the last gig was yesterday
ed kuepper looking the part on the large stage in front of a large crowd
a glorious, contemporary, relevant and comforting sound belting out
the audience responding enthusiastically as each tune concluded
my feeling being that a lot of sets of ears were tuning in to this great sound
though a lack of volume was the a common complaint from the crowd
a reference by ek to the kiss army incisively shutting down the dissent
and back into the delivery of an exemplary set of original tunes
so good to hear mad filies mad flies live and from a large stage
to a mostly curious audience though reacting very positively
one wag behind me saying he goes to every ek gig
which seemed to be the pervasive mood in attendance at this show
a sense that everyone was a long-term fan - maybe they were
and of course the big numbers in the set were stunning in delivery
the slow, deliberate dig-in dirge-like collapse board a masterpiece
dedicted (by me) to a dear now deceased friend who loved this tune
ek completely dominating and controlling the pace and timing
just jaw-drop that this 23-year old piece sounds so contemporary
which has to be said also for the other big oft played classic
one can never tire of eternally yours and so good to see it reclaimed
ek has looked after this tune over the years in many different lineups
always welcomed, always brilliant, always a highlight of any set
but, but, but the missing element was now home and chiming in beautifully
louise elliot adding her haunting and melancholy sax to great effect
a definite eye-closed, spine-tingling, goose-bumpy moment or 2 for me
not to mention a whole lot of others in the audience who clearly love this tune
it should permanently be numero uno on any 'best songs of all time'
but that of course that defines what ek has had to endure for years
however today i sense an awakening - starting with reforming the clowns
a great set in the hot sun that sadly had to come to an abrupt end
wandering off wondering if the performance will ever be repeated
an anwer given in the form of a flier thrust into my hand
laughing clowns - 2 nights at the basement - locked in
that's it for all tomorrows parties for me
anything else a mere bonus
