|
|
 |
The Cure: Robert Smith (vocals, guitar); Perry Bamonte, Porl Thompson (guitars, keyboards); Simon Gallup (bass); Boris Williams (drums).
Recorded live at The Palace, Auburn Hills, Detroit, Michigan.
The Cure: Robert Smith (vocals, guitar); Porl Thompson, Perry Bamonte (guitar, keyboards); Simon Gallup (bass); Boris Williams (drums).
Filmed at The Palace Of Auburn Hills, Detroit, Michigan in July 1992.
The Cure's second full-concert film shows the band on the Detroit stop of its 1992 American tour in support of Wish, directed by Aubrey Powell and Leroy Bennett. It was done both because Smith was tired of people thinking The Cure in Orange represented the group in concert and because of Thompson's imminent departure after the tour's completion. After its release, Smith expressed the feeling that the results weren't what they could be, but if anything Smith is being unduly harsh. While a different film in visual feel than Orange, Show is actually a fairly strong effort, showcasing some excellent performances and often perfectly capturing the visual and performative charisma of Smith and company in a surprisingly close, intimate fashion. Structurally, Show and Orange are similar in that both capture a performance without narrative, interviews or any sort of detailed behind-the-scenes look. Show does have an interesting framing device at the start, though, filming a wide variety of the concertgoers as they assemble, hang around and kill time waiting for the show to start, while "Tape," the instrumental introduction piece the band used on this tour, plays on the soundtrack. Though there are more than a few people gothed up in terms of looks, if anything it shows that Smith's contention of a far wider fanbase than might be guessed is true, with a wide variety of looks and sorts featured. The segment is also filmed in grainy sepia, making for a quietly dramatic shift when the show is featured in clear, clean color. The show itself is mostly captured on the live soundtrack album (and in America the accompanying Sideshow EP), but interestingly the film is the much better way to experience Show. Partially this has to do with the fluid flow of the filming - it's much like Orange, but with a wider array of angles, camera shots and especially close-ups. Cameras swoop in close to the performers, even Williams, who tended to be in the background of most Orange shots, and whose fan-blown hair, energetic performance and the like actually help him stand out quite a bit. Gallup and Thompson also get their fair share of time, the former indulging in his favored combination of spot-on bass and just-strong-enough rock-out fun, while Bamonte isn't so ill-served himself. As for Smith, he projects the same aura of slight uncomfortableness and playful intensity as in Orange, but the camera just knows how to treat him right, with gentle close-ups, pans around his face, and more. Happily the final cut keeps in quite a few fun exchanges of nods, winks and smiles between the bandmembers, helping show they're not the gloom-laden doomhounds of myth. At one point Smith even sneaks in a quick riff on the Kinks' "All Day and All of the Night" before "Inbetween Days." The band's great performance throughout, meanwhile, is immeasurably enchanced by the great set - a crumbling Greek temple and light show song for song, sometimes accompanied by particular films and images. It's a very artistic set-up for a rock show and works much better than might be guessed. With the material from Kiss Me, Disintegration and Wish to draw on, Show also provides a good contrast to Orange in terms of the band's commercial ascendance. The audience reaction to numbers like "Just Like Heaven" and "Lullaby" shows that much! The real treasure of Show, however, appears at the end with the encore, which didn't appear on the soundtrack album at all. Besides strong runthroughs of older number like "Primary" and "Boys Don't Cry," there's an astonishingly beautiful version of Wish's "To WisRolling Stone (10/14/93, p.114) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...There are no unbearable guitar solos or concert versions that completely distort the songs, just the big, echoing sound that has filled many lonesome rooms..."
Entertainment Weekly (9/24/93, p.94) - "...just like a dream...[this] live album plows through some of Robert Smith's dark and playful fantasies ...almost a greatest hits package..."
Musician (1/94, p.92) - "...The Cure play pop stars, dispatching their alterna-hits with a fair amount of style..."
NME (Magazine) (9/18/93, p.34) - (7) - Very Good - "...SHOW possesses an abundance of highs....the Cure's court is once again in session..."
Show Music Review
Average Rating: (5 out of 5 stars)   BEST Cure Concert EVER
Of all the concerts I've seen and heard.This is the one you must have!Robert Smith really brings out the mystical sound of his guitar as you've never heard it.
Submitted by ANGEL-HEART (LAS VEGAS,NV,USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No bliss
This album was the first I ever heard of the Cure, and it has been in constant rotation ever since. There is something about Robert Smith's captivating, echoing voice, the lush guitar harmonies, and that huge aural live sound that just makes you want to laugh and sing along. If you think you can handle their darker, moodier side, pick up PARIS, the live album that came before it.
Submitted by a reviewer (Harwinton, CT)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No A wonderful evening with the Cure
SHOW is one real good live album from the WISH area tour(1992). Most of all, it's an official release (so you won't have to pay a fortune to get a fine recording)!!! The emotions of every song are purely delievered, the general mood of the show is fantastic, and the sound is great too ! A great way to familiarized yourself with the british band, for the few who haven't hear anything from them yet (is it possible ?). Grab it and enjoy The Cure.
Submitted by a reviewer (sherbrooke, QC)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Doesn't get any better than this!!!
Even if you are not a Cure fan, this album is well-worth owning. Robert Smith's vocals combined with the music the band produces (live) is truly impressive.
Actually, the live versions of the tracks are better than the studio cuts. The live versions have more feeling and passion incorporated into them.
The only thing better than listening to the recorded live CD was being there. It was an incredible concert. They played for over 3 hours!!!
Submitted by a reviewer (Cleveland, OH USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No
This review is for a different format. A really grand live album!!!
The Cure are truely magnificent in any setting. Especially live. This is the most complete live album anyone can own. If you're wanting to get a great live performence, get "Show" here at CD universe. Also, get the video to go along with it. It's brilliant!
Submitted by a reviewer (Murfreesboro, TN)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No
This review is for a different format. | Have you heard this album? |  |
|
|
|
|
|
Share this Product