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| Info | Setlist | ||||||||||
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01. Musicbox Intro 02. Overture 03. All Is Full Of Love 04. Unravel 05. Aurora 06. Palmstroke 07. It's Not Up To You 08. Cocoon 09. Unison 10. You've Been Flirting Again 11. Isobel 12. Pagan Poetry 13. Possibly Maybe 14. Venus as a Boy 15. Hyperballad 16. Bachelorette first encore 17. Anchor Song 18. Army Of Me second encore 19. It's in our Hands |
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| Reviews |
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| Ok, another review of Cologne. First of all, I was looking for Vespertine songs which I heard in the 1st set. It was more magic for me. The swann dress, the girls choir, the orchestra, the light, the harpist, the music box, all a perfect vision of a vespertine dream became real in the cologne opera. Sound and sight was brilliant. I missed the choir more in the second set. I love the old songs before Vespertine, since the last CD for me marks a step into eternal music, and Homogenic and the other Cds had some trendy sounds, which is good but different than Vesp. Anyway, I like the songs though I think the voice was too loud, the choir in general was a little silent. There were only 19 songs, it was like 1 hour 45 min, but what can we expect these days?? Well, I missed Yoga and Undo, but well, am I disapponted? No way, this was a night of magic for me, great sound, looks, spirit, and I like the tiny girl who sing with this voice that heals nightmares. It´s so nice to experience how Bjork just creates this magic out of nothing. I felt a special atmosphere in the Cologne opera, makes me believe me and the audience are all in the special community. I guess everyone who particpated a Björk concert will make the same experience. For me the concert is the perfect climax to the experience you have when you are familiar with the music and the videos and stuff. The real experience... is just real. Oh well, I better stop this blah blah here, I am still too thrilled. Thank you Bjork for this great evening you gave to me and many others, I will always remember. ...and I can´t wait to see you again... Sebastian K hey. a concert of some star some shiny little creature (may be blown up into a sky by some people worshipping) same concert again again again again some differences some nuances sometimes not dancing all that much sometimes not talking all that much sometimes not smiling all that much she tired maybe she bored maybe she moody maybe possibly. so? and who is that she? just a girl, just a woman who happens to be able. of making marvel-music and being starrish. listen to the music and be astonished look into the girls face and risk being dissapointed (don't look, just listen, look vaguely maybe but don't just watch a girl cos just a tired girl is dissapointing for what should have been a star) so look at the girl and catch a glimpse of beauty so look at the music and séé the beauty being a fan = being dissapointed. i wasn't. i heard beautiful music (so i might have cried) and hey. it may be hard to believe but even björk is just a little human -a full-grown woman actually- (off course there are elves and fairies but just because she mentioned them doesn't mean she's one of 'em. right?) greatest concert of my life i admitt but then again, i'm only 19 (so who knows what's going to happen) .f. WOW!!!!!!! what a show. I have traveled all the way from California to see her, and it was well worth it. I thought her voice was not loud enough during the first set. They seem to fix it for the second set. She did seem a little tried but what can one expect, she is only human. Her show to me is one of the best shows I've ever seen and I have seen alot of artist through the years. I work at a concert venue in Los Angeles for the past 18 years. Anyway, the way she lit the stage, the use of the backdrops and the contrast in color. I highly recommend this show if you can still catch her performance. I love when an artist performs barefoot theirs just something cool about it. I just hope she puts out an album soon and I hope it does not take four years. that's just to long to wait for more incredible music. I just returned home hope this is not to late. life and love Joni http://www.ksta.de/ Arktische Landschaft VON THORSTEN KELLER, 14.11.01, 18:45h Achtung, Hochkultur: Der Popstar aus Island zu Gast in der Oper. Die Schilder im Foyer der Kölner Oper verheißen nichts Gutes: „Bitte, während der Performance den Saal nicht verlassen“, steht da schwarz auf weiß. Als der Auftritt der Vorgruppe Matmos im vollen Gange ist, vermögen die 1300 Zuschauer die Tragweite der Plakate erst richtig zu würdigen. Das Trio sorgt mit seltsamen Geräuschcollagen für Irritation - und setzt neben Synthesizern und Computern auch eine Art surrenden Schraubenzieher ein, mit dem ein Musiker dem anderen über Haut und Haare fährt. Der Sound, der dabei herauskommt, liegt irgenwo zwischen Dental-Labor und Kurzwellen-Radio. Und dafür hat man im schlimmsten Fall 210 Mark verfeuert. Glasklare Stimme Platzanweiserinnen mit frostigem Charme sorgen dafür, dass in der Pause kein Bier aus dem Foyer mit in den Saal genommen wird. Dies signalisiert auch dem langhaarigsten Lederjackenträger: Sie verlassen den popmusikalischen Sektor! Als Björk kurz nach 21 Uhr barfuß auf die Bühne kommt und in einem weißen Schwanenkostüm Drehorgel spielt, rieseln Papierschnipsel vom Bühnenhimmel, und man muss schon ein rohes Gemüt besitzen, um in diesem Moment nicht an Frau Holle oder André Heller zu denken, an Federn oder Schneeflocken. Links auf der Bühne hat sich die fabelhafte Harfenistin Zeena Parkins positioniert, rechts befinden sich die sterilen Computer-Arbeitsplätze der Matmos-Crew. Dazwischen steht - in traditionellen bodenlangen Gewändern - ein grönländischer Inuit-Chor, dahinter eine Leinwand, auf die eine stilisierte, stahlblaue Arktis-Landschaft projiziert wird. Im Mittelpunkt des Auftritts stehen die Stücke des neuen Björk-Albums „Vespertine“, ein anrührender Weltflucht-Soundtrack, der von sphärischen Keyboard- und Harfenklängen, und tröpfelnden, kargen Computerbeats getragen wird. Der Sound ist glasklar, Björks Stimme ebenfalls. Die Mixtur zwischen den einzelnen Komponenten (Orchester, Harfe, Chor, Computer) verändert sich von Song zu Song, die faszinierende Sogwirkung der Musik nicht. Phasenweise dreht das Orchester voll auf, manchmal reduziert sich der Sound auf ein intimes Zwiegespräch zwischen Stimme und Harfe. Nach der Pause - Björk trägt jetzt ein rotes Federkleid, dessen Form an einen Weihnachtsbaum erinnert - erklingen die besten Songs des Abends, erst „Pagan Poetry“ vom neuen Album, wobei der Chor einzelne Textzeilen wie ein Echo zurück wirft. Zu effektvoll auf- und abschwellenden Streichern singt Björk dann „Venus as a Boy“, im regulären Set der einzige Zugriff auf ihr erstes Album „Debut“. Die erste Zugabe bringt noch eine „Debut“-Ballade („The Anchor Song“), die hier auf Sparflamme köchelt (nur Gesang und Pump-Orgel) und deren niedlich-naiver Wohlklang kaum noch zu steigern ist. Das muss Björk genauso sehen, denn in direktem Anschluss gibt es „Army of Me“, eine Rückblende in die kurze Techno-Phase der Sängerin aus Rekjavik - hier in der Kölner Bühnenfassung noch eine Portion dissonanter und heftiger. Standing Ovations. Fantastic... Die Show startet mit den Soundtüftlern von Matmos. Je länger man sich in diesen Musikstil reinhört, desto stärker und ausgefallener wirkt er. Danach liegt die Spannung in der Luft, gleich wird Björk die Bühne betreten. Die Streicher nehmen langsam ihren Platz im Orchestergraben ein. Kurz darauf wird es dunkel und auf dem weissen Stuhl in der Bühnenmitte sitzt Björk. Viele kleine Papierschnippsel fallen von der Decke, während die wunderschönen Töne von "Frosti" erklingen. Danach wird fliessend in das instrumentale Titelstück von "Dancer In The Dark" übergegangen. Nach diesem wunderschönen Einstieg legt Björk mit "All Is Full Of Love" los. Die Begeisterung überträgt sich sofort auf den gesamten Saal. Im Programm geht es nun weiter mit den traumhaften Songs der neuen CD "Vespertine". Den ersten Teil des Abends trägt Björk ihr weisses Schwanenkostüm. Im Hintergrund wird immer wieder ein Bild mit Schnee eingeblendet. Nach einer kurzen Pause erscheint sie wieder auf der Bühne, diesmal in einem roten Kleid. Es folgen einige ältere Songs, die sie mit viel Freude präsentiert. Sie hüpft sehr verspielt auf der Bühne umher und man merkt wie sie in ihrer Musik auflebt. Mit "Bachelorette" wird das zweite Set beendet. Niemand hält es mehr auf dem Stuhl und unter einem riesen Applaus kommen Zeena Parkins und Björk wieder auf die Bühne zurück wo sie den wunderschönen "Anchor Song" spielen. Danach betretten auch Matmos wieder die Bühne und es folgt ein unglaublich packendes "Army Of Me", die Beats von Matmos werden wohl auch die hintersten im Saal vom Stuhl gerissen haben ;-) Nach diesen beiden Zugaben kommen alle nochmals auf die Bühne zurück, inklusive des Chors. Mit einem fröhlichen geklatsche wird der letzte Song des Abends "It's In Our Hands" eingeleitet. Der anschliessende Applaus hält noch Minutenlang an, bis auch der letzte vom Orchester der Saal verlassen hat. Der Abend war unvergesslich und wunderschön, thank you!!! Best wishes from Switzerland... Fabian Cologne, 13.11.2001 Matmos started at 8, I do not like this kind of avantgarde, every sound I heard before and every effect I saw before. They used the metal-strings of a bird-cage as an instrument, 15 years ago they same by the "Einstürzende Neubauten". The Akkupunktur-Stick with camera about 10 years ago by "Skinny Puppy". Ballons to make music you can see in every Kindergarten. So nothing new. The composition was a bit boring, for that kind of instruments. Than Bjork started. Matmos played the Synthys very well, a good harmony with Bjorks voice. The Opernhaus is a very cold building in the "Bauhaus-Style" (?). The accoustic is good, but Bjork used once again her own speaker equipment all arround the hall. So a good soround was heard. Bjork sung brillant, but again a bit tired. Also she danced a very few times and her hands were sleeping. Usually she is using them to emphasize her singing. After the break she woke up a bit and also the spectators. The slide-show in the background was excellent. I was bit dissapointed. I saw her in Stuttgart and Parma. And there I saw a complete different Person. Maybee the Tour is bit to long, but next week she can take a rest. Very impressive for me was a girl sitting next to me who was looking like Bjorks Sister. But she is from San Francisco, living in northern Germany and really crazy for Bjork. After the show we had a beer and a good conversation. Hallo Jacque !!! I made some pictures my very bad Quality, see below. Cotopaxi from Germany, sorry for my bad English Good Evening! Yesterday I've been in the Opera House of Cologne and I was very impressed, because it was a very good performance, exept the singing ladys from Island wasn't so urgent, the mix of elektronic stuff and orchestra was perfect, BJÖRK herself has been a bit nervious, but she was very great with singing and performing. Thank you Björk Michael I've been to Cologne yesterday and here's some information: Setlist: Pt1: 1) Frosti 2) Overture 3) All is full of love 4) Unravel 5) Aurora 6) Generous Palmstroke 7) It's not up to you 8) Cocoon 9) Unison Pt2: 10) You've been flirting again (isl) 11) Isobel 12) Pagan Poetry 13) Possibly Maybe 14) Venus as a Boy 15) Hyperballad 16) Bachelorette 1st encore (standing ovations): 17) Anchor Song (isl/eng) 18) Army of me 2nd encore(standing ovations): 19) it's in our hands I'm not the first with a setlist, am I? And here is my review: The problem with seeing more than one concert of a tour and reading so much about them is that they loose some of their unique character. However, Cologne was unique in some parts not that special in others. First of all she seemed to be in not that happy mood. Not many smiles, not much dancing around. And she seems to have problems with her voice during the first part. Soundproblems due to the location (very strange building) seemed to occur. Maybe all this explains why the concert was shorter than most of the others. However, let's concentrate on the unique moments, which the concert definitly had. It took some time, but she catched me again. In the end I loved it again. "All is full of love" had a nice little improvised vocal ending by Bjork. The first highlight was "palmstroke" which nearly makes me cry every time I hear it live. This song is sooooo strong. I can't understand why it didn't make it onto the regular album. I saw people crying around me (was it you " hyper@bjoerk.ch"?). Breathtaking! "Cocoon" was very intense, I start to love that song. The more you listen to it the more intimate it gets. Very good. The second highlight was "unison", which is my favorite on vespertine. Matmos accidently created some very disturbing noises so Bjork lost the timing and sang some very "special" first chorus. However, that's how we love her, don't we. ;-) What's true for "cocoon" is true for "possibly maybe". I love it played live. The absolute highlights finished the concert. "Army of me" was so powerfull and fitted perfectly with her dark mood. Never heard anythis this intense by her. Very dark, very angry. Matmos did a very good job on this. Last encore was "it's in our hands". It had a nice new intro with the choirgirls not only clapping hands but clapping hands and their heads (!) and singing a funny little traditional tune in a language I didn't know. That was fun. The song itself literally exploded. Bjork jumped like a devil and threw her fists in the air. Seems the first time this evening she was really in her music. I will never forget this last two songs. These two were worth coming to cologne. Thank you Bjork! And now I'm looking forward to Berlin. You'll have my review on friday. CU, Fairytales Hi Björk! Thank you for your outstanding concert in Cologne ! I saw many concerts since 1971, but only a few of them impressed me so much as your show. The 1st half was a little bit too quiet, but the fantastic 2nd half and the 2 encores were really great ! Have you try to let the symphonic orchestra play "unplugged", I mean without microphones ? With the mics and the amplifiers it's not possible to "identify", from which place the instruments sounds. So long Juergen When I found out Björk was playing here, I was disappointed as the gig had already sold out, but on the advice of a friend I went along to the Opera and asked if there were any tickets left and was told there was only one, but it would cost me DM 210. I jumped at the chance because I have wanted to see Björk live for years now. I was first introduced to her by a friend who played me the song "Hit" by the Sugarcubes as she thought I would like it. I fell in love with the song and the vocalist almost immediately. As time has passed, I have grown very fond of her style, her amazing voice, her visceral presence, her amazing lyrics and not least her wonderful compositions. I think I witnessed something truly amazing and unique last night. I must say I was (literally) blown away by the Matmos guys; I had never seen anything as inventive or entertaining as that. That is until Björk took to the stage barefoot, wearing the now famous swan dress and accompanied by her fantastic orchestra, her Inuit choir, again the Matmos guys and the amazing Zeena Parkins. There were some times during the performance that I was close to tears and my skin rippled with goosebumps virtually all night. The first part of the set was enchanting, the scene was very frosti (sic), and began with Björk playing a music box as feathers floated from the ceiling. Then came the "Overture" and the emotions started to run. The highlights of the first set were "Unravel" - a gorgeous ode at the best of times - , "Generous Palmstroke" - where Zeena Parkins shone brightly and "It's Not Up To You" - the Inuit choir taking the helm perfectly at the chrorus. Whereas the first set was mainly a showcase for the Icelandic genius's more recent efforts, the second set was a welcome mixture of material from Debut, Post, Homogenic and Vespertine. My favourite Björk songs are "Isobel", "Bachelorette", "Hyperballad" and "Venus As A Boy" and you can imagine my delight when she played all four of those during the second set. The orchestraI manouvres during Isobel will never leave me! The lush, sweeping adventure of the song was captured beautifully by Simon Lee and his orchestra. And the new song "Pagan Poetry" was a delight to experience live and it is fast becoming another one of my many Björk favourites. I must admit I was slightly confused at the omission of "Hidden Place" as this would have surely been amazing with the choir, but then again the choir were amazing all night and I can't be too greedy. The encores were very welcome after my hands seized up from frenetic clapping - "The Anchor Song" again demonstrating the wonderful talents of Zeena Parkins and "Army of Me" as overwhelming as ever. The second encore was introduced by Björk asking if the audience could speak English. She then introduced her musicians and rapturous applause ensued. The final song, we were told, was a new song "It's in Our Hands" and boy can Björk move, her acrobatics towards the end captivated the audience and she did save the best for last. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to see this fabulously uninhibited performer and her highly talented musicians and I hope the memory will remain with me forever. There is only one Björk and we should treasure her greatly. Nick S. Hi, I just arrived from the concert in Cologne today. Just a few words: The second part went a lot better than then the first. She seems to be a little angry or whatever for me in the beginning of the concert. She messed up sometimes and finished AIFOL with blablabla-lyrics. Second part was very powerful and unfortunately too short at all... And..oh..no "Who is it". But the Cologne-Opera House is a good vespertine-venue. Very close and intimate... It was again an unforgetable evening. And finally I have to say that everything is OK with her feet ;-) I was lucky to get a setlist from one of the orchestra. It's attached to this message. Feel free to use it for your tracklist and ask me if you need it in better quality. I have a high-resolution-scan as well. keep on BaKKeR /old reviews - 3108 |
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