19 October 2012 Munich – Muffathalle review by Fleur

Munich – Muffathalle review

by FleurA cool little venue in a cool town. When I arrive there are signs up saying the show is sold out – amazing how he can do that without really doing any promotion at all!Highlights as follows:* Lisa delights the crowd with her set – Knots and Little Bird in particular sound fab and Graham and Justin join her for a song – she gets a great response and sells plenty of cds after the show when she turns up at the merch stand to sign things.* Glen pitches up on stage shortly after and following the now standard opener (The Storm, It’s Coming) they launch into Talkin With the Wolves. It is a treat for the ears – the lads are sounding really, really tight and I think that we are getting the benefit of the US tour ‘warm up’ – there is a clear difference between the sound of this track now compared to the Union Chapel gig – it is so much more dynamic and the crowd respond in kind. It’s a great tune to draw people in and focus their attention.* Philander is introduced as a song about the first girlfriend you kissed and the feeling that after that event nothing else matters other than finding a private spot to re-live that moment – Glen notes that even a wardrobe or the shadow of a speaker looks tempting for the purpose 🙂

* Before Bird of Sorrow (which STILL rocks my soul) Justin Carroll is introduced to the crowd as someone that Glen and the Frames guys had been watching playing Mingus tunes on Tuesday nights for a long time in Dublin – they are really happy that they’ve been able to nab him into the touring band. It’s nice to see the Frames family expanding.

* Just prior to Glen starting Backbroke solo there is an almighty grinding noise from the back of the hall – Glen soldiers on with the song introduction but eventually has to ask what it is and is told that it is the espresso machine at the bar – he then asks if someone can bring him one 🙂

* The version of Please Please Please which is delivered is about as good as you are going to get for a white Irishman covering James Brown. As you might expect, the horns sound amazing on this track and it is jam-band central. There is a great vibe coming off the stage and it ebbs and flows through to the crowd – great stuff!

* The trio of Fitzcarraldo, God Bless Mom and Star, Star are fab for us Frames fanatics – ohhhh I’m gagging for some more Frames tunes – could you guys not just drop in Santa Maria, Headlong or Red Chord? – puhlease 🙂

* The Song of Good Hope is dedicated to the now Munich based Berny – great to see him at the show 🙂

* As always the incredible off mic abilities of Glen and Colm in Say It To Me Now and Gold shine from the front of the stage – this shit never gets old to me and the crowd agrees with my assessment.

* Lisa brings her uke on for a gorgeous duet with Glen of Blue Moon. Its melodic sweetness is pretty much the dessert to this musical cordon bleu and the after dinner glass of port is Bruce’s Drive All Night into The Parting Glass.

Danke Munchen, Danke Glen, Danke Frames & Danke Lisa