Venue "Universitaet der Kuenste" (University of the Arts).
It turned out to be a theatre with balconies and stalls inside a building where you wouldn't expect it.
Last minute ticket for me. I was told that approx 500 people were attending the gig. The sound, however, left to be desired but everything else was ok.
My review:
I made a last minute decision and went to see Ray Davies who was playing in Berlin. Didn't regret it as Ray delivered an excellent performance.
Venue was full, all seated. I was surprised how many Kinks' fans turned up and that the show was so excellent. Ray was cool and in a good mood, despite of some technical probs which almost no one noticed. He gave a lot of background information from his New Orleans time and played songs from his new album "Other peoples' lives" which I bought (and am consequently playing it today instead of taking care of my neglected household).
I like the stories Ray is telling in his songs and the characters he's talking about - a good observer and storyteller delivering most interesting background information to many of his songs.
Of course, he did Kinks' stuff as well which brought the audience finally to their feet. Sadly, he didn't do "Waterloo Sunset" despite of requests. I would have liked to hear "Apeman" as well but it wasn't to be. Ray dedicated one song to brother Dave during which Dave's part was sung by Karin Forsman, Swedish singer and friend of Ray's. Unfortunately poor photos only, my seat was row 9 which wasn't too bad, but I had 2 tall guys in front of me which made good shots impossible. Finally Ray said he liked to play in Berlin and would hopefully be back.
After the show, a bunch of people were waiting at the stage door but Ray didn't show up, had disappeared already as we were told later. But I was lucky to get autographs by the bass player and guitarist ....
Setlist:
I'm Not Like Everybody Else / Where Have All The Good Times Gone / After The Fall / All She Wrote / Oklahoma USA / 20th century man / Village Green/ Sunny Afternoon / Dead End Street/ Next Door Neighbour / Over My Head / The Tourist / Till The End Of The Day - Interval - This Is Where I Belong / Autumn Almanac / Other People's Lives / Stand Up Comic/ Is there life after breakfast ? / Things Are Gonna Change / Days / The Getaway (Lonesome train) / Tired Of Waiting for you / Set Me Free/ All Day And All Of The Night
Encore:
Lola / 2nd: You Really Got Me
The Band:
Keys/accordion/background vocals: Gunnar Frick
Bass: Dick Nolan
Guitar/background vocals: Mark Johns
Drums: Dylan Howe (??? not sure)
Vocals (on some tracks) Karin Forsman.
On sale at the show. My favourite song he did during the Berlin show "Is there life after breakfast".
Review by Jason Walker for amazon.co.uk: "This CD is astounding. Several of the songs should be hits, if there's any justice in this world. Ray Davies's lyrics are still oblique, sardonic and full of biting reality that make him one of the truly great song writers of our time - alongside Dylan, Steve Earle and Jackson Browne, to name a few. I always get the feeling that he manages to say directly what people are thinking but are too afraid to voice, or are ready to deny about the world and themselves (... I humbly include myself in all that too). The best tracks are The Morning After, Next Door Neighbour, The Stand Up Comic, Life After Breakfast .. but all the songs are very strong lyrically and melodically. This album is not to be missed and I hope it doesn't get dismissed or ignored, as a lot of worthwhile music is these days. It says a lot about the times we're living in ... and maybe we should be listening very hard. Nice one Mr Davies. Very nice indeed :o)"
Mark Johns of Ray's band, a guitarist from Australia. Friendly guy, had a brief chat. Ray himself didn't show up. We were told he went back to the hotel immediately being exhausted from the tour.
Dick Nolan, bass player in Ray Davies' band. Signed patiently for all the waiting fans.
Dick Nolan signing, only parts of him can be seen (I hadn't any photo skills then and a very basic camera only)...
Another review (by David Gallagher): "Well, I saw Ray live last September and he played some of the tracks to be featured on this long-awaited album then, The Tourist and Stand-Up Comic amongst the set. I loved these new tracks and looked forward to the February launch, hoping that live memories wouldn't taint the album for me. I needn't have worried. The album is spectacular. The sound is not far away from The Kinks later material, and in passion, not far away from the mid-60s work. There are songs reminiscent of the legendary Kinks Village Green album (Next Door Neighbour) as well as songs unlike any in Davies' oeuvre (Other Peoples Lives, with its Latin sound). Ray is 61 years old but still has the passion of a younger man (not to mention the voice) on tracks like After The Fall and Things Are Gonna Change. The hidden track at the end of the last song, Thanksgiving Day seems like a tribute to the USA, where he has spent many of the last few years and is a jaunty pop song. If you like this, check out The Storyteller, with its acoustic setting and its crazy narration. At 61, Ray Davies is finally, a bona-fide solo star. "
From: thisisjuanitatoo Sent: 01/05/2006 01:07
Aw thanks Gudrun, had great time and hope you are good too. U are a real rock chick and a kindred spirit. We admire you. Keep on keeping on. LOVE from Beryl and ALL your mates at Guru. xxx.
From: jillydesmo350 Sent: 01/05/2006 12:05
Hi Gudrun, pleased to hear that the Ray Davies gig was great, his current CD is very good. He did an interview on BBC Radio 2 not so long ago, interesting, but I thought he'd lost the plot at one point. Did you hear the interview, Beryl? ciao, jilly x 
