The White Stripes   Paradiso-Amsterdam   May 21, 2003

 
Whirlwind Heat After interviewing these boys I got the impression that they were quiet, relaxed ‘boys-next-door’. What a shock when their live show started! It took me half an hour to grasp it all and come up with the only word that can describe it: intense! David Swanson jumps, crawls, dances, rolls over the stage inbteween singing and creating weird sounds with his synthesizer. Brad practically breaks his drums apart, by bashing on them like it is the last day on earth. Steve on bass dances around as well, and keeps on making surprising sounds come from his bass. Time flies when you are having fun, and these were the fastest 45 minutes of my life! Both the crowd and I need a few minutes to catch our breath after all this, but then we are ready for the White Stripes.



White Stripes Almost as energetic as Whirlwind Heat before them, Jack White and his ‘big sister Meg’ (as he calls her) give it all they have. One of the first songs they play is a heartbreaking cover of Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’, which almost brings a tear to my eye. Jack can make his voice sound really sad, but also really cocky as he sings to the girls in front of the stage that swoon at the sight of him. Halfway during the show, Meg comes out from behind the drums and sings ‘Cold, cold night’, with Jack guiding her on the guitar. Barefoot and with trembling hands playing the keyboards, but her voice is almost as good as her brother’s! The audience loves it. It seems that the more of a maniac Jack becomes, the more peaceful Meg becomes. There is a balance and harmony between them that you do not see in many bands. It must be the family bonds! Every once and a while Meg gives Jack a look that says: ‘Are you serious?’ but the rest of the time she seems to be in her own world (trancelike even) with her drums. Amazing!

(Review & Pics: Gonneke Arts)

 

© Rockezine.com May 21, 2003, viewed 776 times since 666
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