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M-PEOPLE - Eric Gadd Live at Bank Austria HHalle / Museumsquartier Vienna - March 21, 1998

Chartbusters M-People's show at the Museumsquartier has been sold out for days, which is just a normal thing if a band of that quality makes their way to Austria and end up in a comparably small venue.
When Swedisch Soul Star Eric Gadd and Band hit the stage at 8 pm to open up the show the joint was already crammed full. Erics set list was put together at equal parts from songs out of his current album "The Right Way" and older tunes.
Initially the audience merely responded with polite and friendly applause but as the set went on Eric and his band (put together from Scandinavian musicians with the exception of the N.Y. based duo of backing vocalists) definitely played themselves into the heart of the Viennese audience as the performance grew more dynamic and powerful.
The band proved highest technical skills during the solo parts while Erics voice always reamind in focus of the event and when the audience started to join in to a couple of choruses it was clear that it's been a great show for all participants.
It's a tough challenge to open up for mega acts like M-People, but Eric Gadd solved it in a convincing way and we're tensely looking forward to catch up with his future activities. His albums (most of all the recent CD "The Right Way") can be highly recommended to everyone who loves high class Soul music.

After 90 minutes of stage preparation the main event finally took place.
Accompanied by a brief instrumental intro and frenetic cheers from the audience Mpeople vocalist Heather Small stepped out on the stage. With her unique voice and her stunning looks she had control of the crowd from the very start.
M-People came, saw and conquered. The place was steaming and when songs like "Moving On Up" or "One Night In Heaven" the Museumsquartier turned into a dance hall. None of their successfull songs was left to be desired; the 90 minute regular set featured chartbusters like "Search For The Hero" as well as the recent hits "Just For You", "Fantasy Island" and "Last Night 10,000" from the current album "Fresco" serviert. The obligatory encore set highlighted in cover versions of "Avalon" (Roxy Music) and "Don't Look Any Further" (Dennis Edwards).
Aside of the extraordinary Heather Small it must be mentioned that mastermind and main composer Mike Pickering with his tasteful and uique way to create magic from his saxophones ans flutes as well as the rest of the band were in top shape that evening. It's been a high class professional performance that didn't show a single hint of boring routine. All in all a terriffic show and I'm absolutely sure that everyone who has seen it will come back next time they'll be around

© - Piet Patek -