Set Listing
01. Michael
02. Appetite
03. I Remember That
04. Moving The River
05. Machine Gun Ibiza
06. We Let The Stars Go
07. Bonny
08. Faron Young
09. Nightingales/Hey Manhattan!
10. Carnival 2000
11. One Of The Broken
12. Wild Horses
13. Jordan:The Comeback
14. Cruel
15. Goodbye Lucille N.1
16. The Golden Calf
17. Looking For Atlantis
18. Moondog
19. King Of Rock N Roll
20. Cars And Girls
21. When Love Breaks Down
22. Doo Wop In Harlem
A live recording of this concert exists. “King of Rock N Roll” and “Cars and Girls” are partially obscured by taping problems. Good audience tape.
A Happy Evening
Prefab Sprout in Pumpehuset, Sunday
It would take only one song – the for an opening song dangerous Michael taken from Jordan: The Comeback – before English Prefab Sprout had tightened the last bright bolts, shut the gates and launched the glittering pop ship which is singer, songwriter and guitarist Paddy McAloon’s own living dream. And for this ultimate classic pop group the rest of the show was done without a hitch, with a few exceptions. The concert at a full Pumpehuset was a shining triumph: For McAloon’s pop symphony and for Prefab Sprout as a group aiming to prove that they could live up to all the world’s superlatives performing live.
And what could you grab from this cornucopia? The young manifesto on Appetite; the soulful sentiment on I Remember That; the full-ranged declaration of love and solidarity to the unknown American country singer Faron Young or the throbbing dream on Wild Horses? The songs poured from an abundant source from the both proudly self-assured and restless group that repeatedly added a depth and twist to McAloon’s songs which made them stand out more impressive than on the albums. Especially the bassist Martin McAloon and the drummer Mick Salmon contributed with playful allusions and fine details in absolute top-grade.
No doubt that Paddy McAloon enjoyed the space he gave himself to play the great entertainer in an ironic wrangling between him and his songs. But not more sophisticated than he invested himself in every song. At the same time it was more difficult to identify the transparent velvet fairy, Wendy Smith, whose voice is an essential part of Prefab Sprout – but this Sunday evening she did not know what do about herself. She must definitely have been the only one who did not know that as it has been a very long time since this reviewer have experienced such a fantastic atmosphere at a concert. Neither the group nor the audience held back their expectations.
A long, happy evening was completed with Doo Wop In Harlem. Who else would say goodbye with this hymn bathed in the city lights?
Marc Girelli: Politiken, 4 December 1990 (Thanks to Thomas Pedersen for the clipping and translation)
