Spandau Ballet - Live (1998)

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Spandau Ballet - Live (1998)

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"If you know this one, you're showing your age," a wry Tony Hadley says by way of introducing "Cut a Long Story Short," Spandau Ballet's 1980 hit from their formative years as a prototype New Romantics band. Still fun, still refreshing with its post-punk vitality and Bowie-esque sound, "Cut a Long Story Short" cheerfully closes out this 1990 Birmingham, England, concert before a massive crowd. Not that the preceding 17 or so songs on this performance document are anything less than spirited. But in Spandau Ballet tradition, they are monuments to the kind of musical proficiency and gloss originally washed away by the recording industry's sea change, almost a lifetime ago, to a rock-friendly medium. Without a lick of irony, the band's determination to be your father's preferred pop wins one over through sheer earnestness. While there isn't a heck of a lot of variation in the sound and arrangements of these songs, that's no reason not to admire Hadley's ripened vocals, stronger and more expressive than ever. Gary Kemp, so menacing as a character actor in films, is Hadley's delightful stage partner, anchoring the band while dancing in and out of the shared spotlight. (By contrast, handsome brother Martin Kemp barely makes it into the camera frame for a full 90 minutes. For shame, Mr. Director.) From the hit catalogue, "Gold," "Chant No. 1," and "Only When You Leave" are reminders of just how good drummer John Keeble and the versatile Steve Norman (saxophone, percussion, etc.) can be. "Communication" is glazed gospel touched by glee, and "Lifeline" demonstrates how you don't have to be in Oasis to flaunt a Beatles influence.

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Spandau Ballet - Live (1998)

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Spandau Ballet - Live (1998)

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Spandau Ballet - Live (1998)

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Spandau Ballet - Live (1998)

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Spandau Ballet - Live (1998)

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