The Potsdam Stadtwerke hasn't got much cause to celebrate at present. For example, their modern tram-cars were pulled from circulation because Siemens have miscalculated the statics. Some of them are back up and running again, but only time will tell if that's for the long run. Nevertheless, regardless of this, they sponsored again this year a huge festival, which according to the "Potsdamer Neuesten Nachrichten" (Potsdam Daily News), was attended by about 35,000 people. And some of them stayed until the very end, where Dave Davies was originally scheduled to perform. However, the Potsdam lady-footy side had won their first German championship, and they came to their concluding programme on the same stage, so they may have been the reason why so many hung on until the end of the festival -- not that anyone would have regretted it!
Little brother has finally stepped out of the shadow of the older. And the show in Potsdam has proven this again once more. Partly because Dave Davies himself works the show with even more self-assurance than ever, and he tried to use most of the large stage. And partly because of the versatility of his singing and musical arrangements. For example, his version of 'Set Me Free' is different in his vocal pronuncement and he makes his own songs that were originally composed by his brother. His version of 'See My Friends' is similarly beautiful, and shows the shortcomings of the other songs. 'See My Friends' is also a different arrangement musically, a challenge one hopes Davies attempts with other songs.
A highlight for many long-time Kinks fans was 'Last of The Steam Powered Trains.' Indeed, this is no new song, but Davies made it a live experience now for the first time in many years, and the song deserves it. The version was strong, although there were a few missed notes, and Davies wasn't entirely sure of the lyrics. For such a contingency, however, he's got a lyric sheet on his musicstand. The song was expanded from the original version, and came out well, but Davies needs to leave off on the noisy Telecaster! This is by no means a 'lead-guitar' and is better suited for rhythm parts. If Davies played loud solos, Jonathan Lea's rhythm playing made better sound (Lea is a really good guitarist!) often quite pleasantly. Beside Lea playing once again was the new and very young black bassist Derrick Anderson. He also sang back up vocals, which, unfortunastely, were often lost in the sound mix -- which otherwise was very good considering the venue was a large, open air festival. At the drums sat for the first time Dave Davies' son Simon, who played solidly, without attracting attention. It seems that Jim Laspesa will be back for the US-dates this July.
He played a smashing version in Potsdam of 'Dead End Street' until Davies tries to copy to his brother at the end. That was unnecessary, because if he had to, he could have mimicked him. Davies asked several times if there were any requests, and he heard the shouting of 'Fortis Green,' which, however, he ignored. Maybe the instrumental section of the song was still too much for the new rhythm section, but since it is Davies' best composition, he really ought to include it in his setlist in the future. 'Death of a Clown' was not excluded, although here it became clear, the the Tele is only noisy; although Davies tries to play the song quietly, an acoustic guitar would have been the better instrument of choice. 'This is not a rock song, Dave!' The audience sang along, and Davies pulled off a good prank when he snuck in a tape of Rasa Davies' 'la la la' chorus from the original recording. The whole song illustrates what a grown-up showman Dave Davies has become and he didn't do too much -- as his brother sometimes in the past.
Especially effective was that he followed his own biggest solo hit with new songs. 'Bug' and 'Life after Life,' however, were the only two new pieces in the show. Unfortunately, he played neither the new 'Come to the River' nor any other songs from his in-progress studio album. 'Bug' went well, and was the freshest song of the set, as one noted well. 'Transformation', on the other hand, was a bit of a problem, and too long despite some interesting musical potential. The accompanying tape (following Davies' wish) was too loud, and so the vocals were completely drowned out, and Davies' high voice was painful to the ears. The follow-up 'Living on a Thin Line,' with its synthesier introduction was a recovering number, then 'All Day and All of the Night' was a rocker again.
The encore followed with some classics. Even the Tele solo suited in 'I'm not like Everybody Else,' and probably even the younger spectators knew 'Twist and Shout' and they danced in the rear rows despite the muddy ground. All concluded with the obligatory 'You Really Got Me,' and then Dave Davies vanished, unfortunately without giving autographs to those fans who remained waiting.
This concert showed a matured Davies, who looks younger than he did two and a half years ago -- probably because he's lost some weight. The joyful playing and fun made up for the weaker musical quality. It is unfortunate, however, that Davies didn't play a few more new songs, to bring the audience under the band's spell. He needs to have more confidence in his own risen song writing abilities, because 'Creepin Jean' and 'I Need You' aren't that well known, too. There are some reserves in the instrumentation and softer songs could be added -- which would make a nice contrast. And: the acoustic guitar is very much missed. But: the most important thing is that it was a lot of fun!
Links
Setlist
pictures
Interview in the "Potsdamer Neuesten Nachrichten"
review of the English version of Bug (by Carey Fleiner)
text and pictures: Helge Buttkereit
translation: Carey Fleiner with the help of Thomas Bartoldus and Helge Buttkereit
(updated: 17-Jun-2004)