Review by Ira Kantor
On a night when all eyes — and news trucks — were on the venue across the street (Chris Rock was performing in Boston post-“Slapgate”), nearly 1,600 of us gathered instead to witness the triumphant real-time return of Sparks, a band uncompromisingly ahead of its time.
The energy was already there on both sides before the first song kicked off. With the hat trick of their much-praised documentary (The Sparks Brothers), their movie musical Annette, and the ability to play again live post-pandemic, the brothers Mael — singer Russell and keyboardist Ron — enthralled for two nonstop hours and 23 songs spanning their collective discography. From opener “So May We Start,” Sparks made it their mission to gleefully squeeze out the music that we all could dance to. The audience, including myself and a former work colleague who had seen the band twice prior, loved them for it.
For a group that can easily coast playing tracks from three or four of their most beloved 1970s albums, Sparks’ commitment to art and keeping things fresh is their modus operandi. Though his curly mane is now shaped into a helmet-like jet-black sweep, Russell Mael proved no less energetic, breaking out his trademark falsetto while not breaking a visible sweat. Clad in yellow and black like a lusty bumblebee, the bouncy-legged Russell was all cheerleader pep — the living embodiment of the seminal Sparks track “Get In The Swing” (a show highlight).
Brother Ron, meanwhile, more than lived up to his enigmatic stage presence. Dressed as equal parts undertaker, frequent MoMA patron, and my great-grandfather circa 1944, Ron’s stoic mannerisms were as ovation sparking as his facial smirks, lyrical recantations — repeated “Yeahs” during “Shopping Mall Of Love” was both a laugh and a treat — and frenetic dancing towards show’s end. Only needing a single keyboard to establish his presence, Ron Mael’s pounding chords and finger dances — and impressive lighting shifts per song mood — set the tone for the entire evening (and really for all that Sparks does).
The band also demonstrated they didn’t need flash, video, or ostentatious soloing to secure audience adulation. That was there from the word go and only propelled the band to further artistic greatness. Yet the brothers seemed legitimately warmed and humbled by the crowd response, repeatedly thanking the audience for their support, and highlighting the talents of their backing foursome of musicians (usually five, yet one member was absent due to contracting COVID).
While tracks like “Amateur Hour,” “Dick Around,” and “Something For The Girl With Everything,” were absent, the band’s setlist was loaded with one delightful romp after another. There was the trance-like “Angst In My Pants,” the gaudy “Tips for Teens,” the waltzy “Under The Table With Her,” and the cheeky “I Married Myself” and “Wonder Girl” (replete with amusing Todd Rundgren anecdote). As the group’s more danceable tracks came to the forefront (“Music That You Can Dance To”), the only disappointment was not having Vince Clarke and Andy Bell of Erasure suddenly pop out to sing along.
The band also did a fabulous job of ramping up the excitement to a cathartic climax in its final songs of the night. Starting with “Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth” from 1974’s propaganda, the brothers Mael proceeded to move seamlessly through the terrific “When Do I Get to Sing “My Way”,” the driving “My Baby’s Taking Me Home,” the rave worthy “The Number One Song in Heaven,” and finally the anthem to end all anthems, “This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both Of Us.” As Russell Mael pulled into himself for the final exclamation of “I ain’t gonna leave!”, we — the sweaty, euphoric, dancing masses — all collectively felt: “Please don’t!”
The show’s final song “All That” proved an emotional and sweet closer as Russell summed up two years’ worth of pandemic-influenced resilience in just a few minutes. We also received the delightful news, courtesy of Ron Mael, that the band currently has “lots of content” percolating, including a new album and movie musical in the works.
While Chris Rock may have been the talk of the town, Sparks proved (as they have time and time again over the years) that talent is indeed their greatest asset. As Russell Mael asks in song: “When do I get to do it my way?” This night provided the answer: Now, gentlemen — you’ve more than earned the right!
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