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On stage: Dan Reed



- Dan Reed & Band + Public Val - Nov. 2010 - Unna (D) -


www.danreed.com









- Dan Reed & Band + Public Val -
- November 26th 2010 - Unna (D), Kühlschiff -





Public Val - live in Unna

Public Val - live in Unna

Dan Reed - live in Unna

Dan Reed - live in Unna

Dan Reed - live in Unna

Dan Reed - live in Unna

Dan Reed - live in Unna

Dan Reed - live in Unna

Dan Reed - live in Unna

When I heard that Dan Reed will release a new album I was curious, now the album is out and it sounds different. A lot have happened through the years and now Dan Reed is back on tour with a band to promote Coming Up For Air. On a cold Friday night they came to Unna to play. The band arrived late, but they were pretty relaxed. On the German shows Dan Reed was supported by Public Val, a band from Hamburg. To be honest I haven't heard of them before and so I didn't know what to expect.
At about 8 PM Public Val entered the stage and kicked off with Boese Loser, a rocker with some electronic sounds. Singer Val has a powerful voice and is always in action trying to entertain the people. They continued as planned with I Love What I Hate About You. Public Val tried to cheer up the audience and get them more active, as it didn't worked out, they just continued. Musically Public Val offer rock with catchy hooks and sometimes spiced up with funky sounds. And so she reminded me a bit of Alannah Myles / Sandi Saraya / Debbie Davis (Witness) with a dash Patti Smith and when funky a dash of Joyce 'Baby Jean' Kennedy (Mother's Finest) - I know this sounds weird, but to only way to get an idea of Public Val is by watching a video of them at:




At Got The Feeling That I'm Under bassist Laurenz Moesbacher added a funky bass line to the up-tempo rocker and the guitarist offered a short guitar duel. Later Public Val asked "Are you funky?" and they headed into Static. Before they closed the set Public Val thanked everybody for the great tour. My personal favorite - as I can say now - was the closer Love Kills Me. And I hope to hear more of Public Val soon.
A short change over, so time to get a drink - or check out the merch. By now a few more fans of Dan Reed arrived.
First Dan Reed entered the stage, then the band followed. They kicked off with Cruise Together off Slam, but presented it in a different way. Afterwards Dan Reed talked to the fans: "It's a strange request, but can you bring the tables closer to the stage? Or are they too heavy? It's like a sea of emptiness..." And while Dan talked the fans carried the tables closer to the stage. Next in line was the title track of Dan's new album Coming Up For Air. The track is based on acoustic guitar, but in the band version it's a bit heavier and really rocks. "The next song I wrote in Jerusalem, 4 years ago at Christmas Eve." Dan explained before they played Nothing To Fear. After he introduced the band - guitarist Jimmy Lagnefors, bassist Bengan Jonasson and drummer Henka Johansson - it was time for one of their hits - Ritual! Not the way you'll know the song, but the stripped down version sounded just great. And the fans joined in and sang along. "I was in Vienna when I learnt about Ronnie passed away. I started playing Holy Diver in honor of him, and by playing I learnt to understand the song better." Dan's version of the Dio classic Holy Diver showed once more that a good song is a good song - even in a more rock singer-songwriter kind of sound. The song somehow was more intense and I really hope that Dan will keep it on the set list!
"This is the first song I wrote when I came back to love music. I live with monks and one of them asked me: 'Do you know this song?'" And Dan hummed a melody (We Will Rock You). "He wanted to learn this song and so I got an acoustic guitar at a second hand store." he continued the story. And they started playing On Your Side. Next in line a triplet off Slam - Lover, Stronger Than Steel and All My Lovin'. Before Stronger Than Steel the band left the stage and Dan played on his own. "From 2001 til 2003 O drove people away from me. My dad died. I even worked as a construction worker for a year. This one is about learning from mistakes you made." he introduced Pray For Rain. The band re-appeared for Closer, time to travel back in time with I'm So Sorry off their self-titled debut. "The next album will be called Signal Fire." And so we got an idea what to expect from Dan Reed in 2011. While the band played this song a small group of people came in and stand 1st row to the left, in this group a little girl and so Dan dedicated the next one to her - Rainbow Child. "I want to thank Attila who is a great friend and he brought us here!" Dan said and hugged Attila who came on stage. He also thanked Public Val for coming out with them. And with Brave New World the set ended. The fans wanted more and it didn't take long til drummer Henka Johansson came back. He did a short solo while the others walked on stage and joined in. As a closer they had chosen their biggest hit - Get To You! It was obvious that the band enjoyed playing live and the set ended with a jam session. Everybody was happy, especially when Dan Reed showed up a few moments later to talk to his fans, signed posters, booklets, whatever they wanted him to sign and let them take pictures.
Even if only a few dozen fans had some to see Dan Reed and his band, the atmosphere was great and it was a travel back in time. I guess everybody who was in Unna will be at the next show Dan and the boys play and hopefully they bring some friends... Word of mouth is strong, so if you witnessed on of the shows, tell you friends about it!




Claudia Ehrhardt

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           ©2008-2010 by Claudia Ehrhardt • E-Mail: contact@ice-vajal.com





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