| los angeles swing two 11/08/1996 |
| fire in cairo robert alone/acoustic boys don't cry robert alone/acoustic want club america a night like this push lullaby if only tonight we could sleep... a strange day just like heaven jupiter crash strange attraction lovesong piggy in the mirror the walk primary return numb prayers for rain inbetween days from the edge of the deep green sea bare hot hot hot!!! close to me why can't i be you? medley 10.15 saturday night killing an arab a forest different 2nd verse w/wayne hussey forever w/wayne hussey |
| the cure plays in los angeles in 1996 as part of the swing tour dates in the united states... and a unique show--robert starts things off w/an acoustic two-song performance (!!) w/"fire in cairo" and "boys don't cry." the sound is nice and clean, and robert plays and sings a wonderful little mini-set. the acoustic sounds really good and robert makes it work well...great start! and the show proper starts w/the normal swing tour openers of "want" and "club america," the mix/sound of the full-on show is pretty good--not quite soundboard/radio broadcast, but if this is an audience recording--it's a good audience show--very very good. everything sounds sharp, robert is on top of the vocals and things get kicking. the low end kinda drops out of part of "club america," but it comes back and stabilizes a bit better... robert actually sings "say hello on a night like this" as the first line of "a night like this," (!!) but it turns out ok--he changes the opening line of the second verse to "say goodbye on a day like today." and this recording of the following song, "push," is actually the best performance from the band--after 1992/1993--that i've heard...jason plays it really well and keeps it moving. "lullaby" is next--good--and a swing tour/1996 rarity "if only tonight we could sleep..." comes after, another good performance--then "a strange day" that's quicker and more crisp than normal. clean and direct...different feel. "just like heaven" is also energetic, very tight--followed by a really nice performance of "jupiter crash," just done w/the right touch...good mix of acoustics and everything. |
| the band continues on w/a very good "lovesong," but choose to take the crowd in a different direction altogether w/"piggy in the mirror." very cool and unexpected really...but a nice change of pace, robert plays the middle section guitar solo very well--that's always a great listen. back into singles w/"the walk," and it's good and solid, as is the version of "primary" that comes next... this recording of "numb" is easily the best live one in my collection so far--it's got some interesting sounds...not a favorite of mine, but interesting to have for a listen here and there. much better is a good live "prayers for rain," immediately followed by a fresh and kicking "inbetween days." the energy is excellent all the way around, and this is a good night... "from the edge of the deep green sea" is really good, the mix on this recording makes this really enjoyable--the band makes it work, really taking off a little bit w/perry doing some nice guitars and getting a great sound for the solo...and then right into a lovely reading of "bare" to end the set. the encores are all fun starting with a very jumping "hot hot hot!!!" robert totally lets go of the real structure of the last chorus just to play around, but that's fun anyway..."close to me" keeps things loose and swinging, w/guitars crashing around during the intro and everyone dancing. the band keeps los angeles moving for "why can't i be you?" in a performance that also visits "witchcraft" "young at heart" and "the lovecats" before singing "we are the champions of the world...what the fuck are you up to?" (directed in a funny way to the other guys perhaps)....and "foxy lady" (just those two words) and then ending up back where it all began...(one chorus before the medley stuff also has robert singing "why can't i be a drowning man?")...funny stuff!! "10.15 saturday night" and "killing an arab" follow, both are good recordings/good performances--if nothing too amazing. some really nice guitar sounds/work in "killing an arab," sharp and biting tones. robert says "hopefully joining me on lead guitar for the rest of the night, mr. hussey," as he introduces wayne hussey (of the group, the mission)...joining them onstage for both "a forest" and "forever." and things actually go a bit mad...parts get changed and added, robert sings something totally different (most likely on-the-spot improvisation) for the whole second verse of "a forest," and then the ending is really cool w/extra guitar parts flying back-and-forth...first over long phrases, and then back into the normal feel of "a forest," than faster and faster until the end--nice!! and then the band goes right into "forever," in a middle-tempo solid bang and crash beat--steadily working the pace up faster and faster...it's a short version, but very cool...it's almost like a coda for "a forest" instead of another song tonight =) this is a super set--good recording/excellent performance w/acoustic songs (!!), a great energetic set and then the additional kick of a special guest w/a cool ending--must have must have! |