Reunited Eurythmics Keep Their Distance Onstage
Reunited synth-pop duo keep their
distance onstage, but manage to please
those in attendance.
Contributing Editor Gianni Sibilla reports:
BOLOGNA, Italy 霠Popular 1980s synth-pop duo the
Eurythmics may have recently reunited, but former
lovers Dave Stewart and Annie Lennox kept their
distance from each other during a two-hour concert
Monday at Palamalagutti.
"We could not be together, and we could not be
apart," Lennox sang during "Seventeen Again," a song
from Peace, the duo's first studio LP since 1989's We
Too Are One. It's due Oct. 19.
When introducing that song, Lennox said, "This is the
story of me and Dave."
Lennox, 44, and guitarist Stewart, 47, rarely exchanged
glances or even stood near each other during a hits-heavy
show that clearly pleased the crowd of 8,000.
Stewart played a series of glittering guitars while prowling
the stage, which sported artificial trees and an enormous
video screen. Lennox, in short red hair and black glasses,
sang and talked to the audience.
The duo played only a few other songs from Peace,
instead concentrating on their '80s hits, leaning
especially heavily on songs from Be Yourself Tonight
(1985). From that album, they played "There Must Be
an Angel (Playing With My Heart)" (RealAudio
excerpt of live version), an acoustic "Would I Lie to
You?" and "Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves"
(RealAudio excerpt). Lennox sang the latter,
originally a duet with soul queen Aretha Franklin, with
backing vocalists Claudia Fontaine, Beverly Skeete
and Faye Simpson.
The duo occasionally played alone, but most of the
time were backed by Steve Lewinson on bass, Sam
Flynn and Joel Campbell on keyboards, Chris Davis on
saxophone and Pete Lewinson on drums.
"They're formally perfect, the songs are still great, but
they look a little cold," concert-goer Dorina Gelmi, 29,
said.
The 21 songs in the setlist included only a few from
Peace, including the opening "I Want It All," the single
"I Saved the World Today" and "Peace Is Just a
Word," which showed up during the last encore set.
The duo closed the show with their 1983 #1 pop hit
"Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" (RealAudio
excerpt of live version).
The Eurythmics gained worldwide success in the '80s
as they evolved from a synth-pop duo to a soulful rock
duo. They separated after We Too Are One, which
drew tepid reviews.
Lennox launched a solo career with the
double-platinum Diva (1992) 霠which was represented
during the concert's first encore by "Why." Since the
duo parted, Stewart has concentrated on writing movie
scores and producing albums for other artists,
including Tom Petty, Bob Dylan and Mick Jagger.
The Eurythmics' reunion tour 霠which began three
weeks ago in Cologne, Germany, and included a
performance Saturday at NetAid in London 霠supports
humanitarian organizations Amnesty International and
Greenpeace. It is scheduled to continue through
Europe, Australia and the United States until the end
of the year.
--
gender is just an excuse, relationship shouldn't just be an excuse,
love is often an excuse, although sometimes these excuses are all
we have to hold onto,
death is the reason and living is the celebration
- Beth Orton
--
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