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Burswood
Casino Showroom
(Perth, Western Australia) 18th April 1998 |
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Review
by Ken Greenwell (19/4/98)
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ELO
Part II were given a warm Perth welcome last night at the Burswood Showroom
on the first sell out show of their eleven date tour of Australia. It’s
a shame that a second show had not been planned for Perth considering
that they had sold out almost two 7,500 seater venues on their previous
1995 tour. The band jetted into Perth on Thursday afternoon and with five of them still eight hours behind and one poor soul in the shape of Eric a good twelve hours behind on their body clocks, they looked a tad jet lagged when the lights went on. Kelly wore sunglasses! The cobwebs rapidly disappeared as they warmed to a crowd that knew what to expect from the fine line up of Masters Bevan, Kelly, Kaminski, Lou, Eric and Phil. Most of the 2,000 strong audience saw them last time they were here. The set list was marvelous and worked a treat. They performed the extended medleys to perfection with each song blending deliciously into the next, giving a good sized helping of each number. The acoustic section was beautiful and the highlight for me was "Midnight Blue" with crystal clear vocals from Kelly and a wonderful wash of instrumentation and harmonies from the lads.  Audience favourites came thick and fast with every song receiving tremendous applause. If and when Part II get the right record deal they must record the acoustic version of "All Fall Down". Apart from liking the song when I first heard it at the Perth Entertainment Centre, the acoustic treatment really makes it shine. Other highlights was the inclusion of "The Diary Of Horace Wimp" with a great outro’ guitar solo from Phil. Kelly, Phil and Eric three parting the Beatles gem "Because." "Getting To The Point," "Shine A Little Love," and Bev’s breathtaking Sandy Nelson cover of "Let There Be Drums" which the audience lapped up. Thank you Part II for including one of Moment Of Truth’s finest moments in the shape of "Love Or Money." Those swaying backing vocals floor me every time I hear this song but to hear it performed live… I was in Heaven! Acoustically, the venue was in fine form and the mix was clear and defined, although I thought Mik’s violin could have been a tad further up in the mix and the overall sound a wee bit louder. I believe the band used the venues sound and lighting systems, which were okay but maybe next time they might bring their own equipment? A big disappointment to many fans was the absence of any tour merchandise which I believe will be the same for all other venues on the Aussie tour. The new tour programmes should have been available at the very least. Without further adieu I give you the set list for the Perth concert, 18th April 1998. If you’re going to the show and do not want the surprises spoilt for you then skip the next bit. As I enjoyed the show so much there may be the slightest of anomalies in there… But it’s pretty darn close. |
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