Stereophonics
Live Magazzini Generali Milano 03.03.02

It might be that I love the venue, perfect for concerts, small enough, perfect acoustics, you can always see well thanks to the average height of Italians around five foot three. It might be that they objectively played well... I liked them. It was the third time I'd seen them (Imola 1998, Milan 1999 supporting Red Hot CP), and it was the best. With the addition of two session men (guitar and keyboard), the sound is less raw. They start with "Mr. Writer" from the latest "J.E.E.P. Just Enough Education to Perform" and then continue throughout the concert to jump from one album to another, without privileging the latest one as often happens. From the first album, I remember the excellent "Thousand Trees," "Looks Like Chaplin," and "Not Up To Me." From the second, "Roll Up And Shine," "Hurry Up And Wait," "Just Looking," "I Wouldn't Believe The Radio." From the latest, "Have A Nice Day," "Everyday I Think Of Money," "Nice To Be Out," and "Vegas Two Times." Let's be clear: these Welsh guys with a Bryan Adams-type voice haven't discovered any revolutionary musical genre. Originality is not their strongest suit. They are appreciated for a good sound, perhaps I notice it because a friend made me understand how different the Gibson "Diavoletto" and Les Paul sound, which makes a difference, always. Even if seeing them doesn't reveal anything new, even if it were the first time, I liked them.