Kotebel & Murky Red May 1, 2013, 't Blok, Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel (NL)
Drummer Carlos Franco took an early flight from Madrid. He was just in time to join the band, but due to transportation problems guitarist Cesar Garcia and bassist Jaime Pascual arrived only late in the afternoon at Amsterdam Airport. This meant that we had additional tasks by getting them to the venue, let them do the soundcheck and let them eat something! I've never attended a soundcheck that went as quickly as Kotebel's, but after solving some electronic problems their sound was okay in about ten minutes. This quick soundcheck provided them just enough time to have something to eat, while Murky Red were doing their soundcheck. Once the doors of the venue were opened, the concert hall slowly filled with people who came to see two completely different bands music wise. I guess Progmotion and Progfrog did a good job by booking these bands; it also resulted in a mixture of music fans attending the venue. Given the number of people that showed up that strategy worked. Murky Red The Belgian band Murky Red plays a strong kind of melodic rock blended with influences from several other musical styles. I have to compliment the band for their enthusiastic and tight performance. They had a lot of
During the break it was nice to notice that indeed, the audience consisted of two different groups of people: the ones who love the more complex and ingenious music came forward to the stage and bought Kotebel's CDs, while the other ones who like to party moved in the direction of the bar. Kotebel When Kotebel entered the stage they suffered a bit from equipment that wasn't willing to fully cooperate with the band. However, they opened strong and powerful with Hades, a composition originally from Fragments Of Light (2003). This complex piece set the mood for the remainder of the concert. A part of the audience that wasn't (yet) familiar with Kotebel's music, found it rather jaw-dropping stuff. The next part of the show was the forty-minute (!) Concerto For Piano And Electric Ensemble,
After performing the compositions of their latest album, the penultimate album Ouroboros (2009, see review) was next. We could enjoy perfect renditions of the title track where the combination of bass, guitar and keyboards sounded brilliant. Drummer Carlos Franco, who kept all these complex melodies together with his strong drum work, provided the song with an additional element by shouting out loud. In the middle of the stage stood bass player Jaime Pasqual, an impressive musician to look at since his skills on the bass go far beyond the average bassist. More than once he proved that a bass guitar can really add something to the atmosphere of a song. During Simugh, the audience could enjoy the diversity of techniques he's capable of playing. Having two impressive keyboard players in the line-up gives Kotebel's music something special. Plaza is capable of playing two different melodies or solos at the same time, while Adriana is a genius on the piano. However, the two keyboardists never dominate the music; they're in complete harmony with the other musical instruments. As an encore we got a stunning version of Amphisbaena, the opening track of Ouroboros wherein the dark and powerful piano sounded perfectly with the bass and guitar. Unfortunately the band had to quit, but I could have listened to Kotebel for hours. To me watching two different bands in 't Blok, was a special experience not only for the music, but also because of the venue's hospitality. I never had snacks during a show before, but the people in the audience were offered free snacks during the evening; a great gesture! I had a perfect evening catching up with friends, having a great time together and outstanding music as a bonus. At the end the only difficulty was to get all the equipment in Carlos's car, three musicians in my car and get them safely to the hotel in Rotterdam. A perfect day came to an end thanks to the magnificent team of Progmotion. Pedro Bekkers (edited by Peter Willemsen) |
Line up Murky Red:
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Stef Flaming: lead vocals, guitar |
Patrick Dujardin: guitar |
Yolanda Flaming: keyboards, lead vocals |
Tom Kockelmans: bass |
Joery Masson: drums |
Marie Vancamp: percussion, backing vocals |
Setlist Kotebel: HadesAdagio Maestoso Lento Cantabile Vivo Scherzando Allegro Moderato Hipogrifo II Satiros Ouroboros Simurgh Encore: Amphisbaena |
Pictures Kotebel by Hans Korbee Click on the picture to enlarge.
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Line up Kotebel: (left to right)Carlos Guillermo Plaza: Keyboards Adriana Plaza Engelke: Keyboards Jaime Pascual: Bass Cesar Garcia Forero: Guitar Carlos Franco: Drums |
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