Rock4 - Timeless
January 27th 2007 - Reggehof, Goor
Never have I been better prepared for a concert. Knowing which songs they're going to sing (thanks Luc Devens!) made me do some research and thanks to some friends with a large music collection and YouTube, I know the original songs quite well by now. Although I normally don't listen to this kind of music, I'm really looking forward to the concert and beforehand I'm convinced Rock4 will stun me, because it's definitely not a kind of repertoire I don't like at all. It's just not my first choice (but definitely second or third).
I think the songs are perfectly chosen to be sung by Rock4. Somehow I can already imagine Luc Devens singing many of the leads, they just seem to suit him in advance. Second, there are many songs which will give Luc Nelissen the opportunity to amaze us even more with his sublime vocal percussion. I already know Nico is finally given a 'lead', which I'm looking forward to as well. I wonder about Peter... will he have some leads as well this time? We'll see. Furthermore I'm very curious how they are going to bring some songs a cappella because of the many instrumental parts, or even completely instrumental songs.
Workshop
But, before leaning back in our chairs, we are going to try some vocal percussion ourselves: Luc Nelissen is giving a workshop in the afternoon and of course, we decided to join in. So there we are, listening to his instructions with sweaty hands and hearts beating a little faster than usual. I'm trying to banish the little voice in my head telling me I will never be able to do any kind of vocal percussion or whatsoever...
No, it's not that worse. We really have a lot of fun. After warming up, we start examining drums and we try to make different sounds with our voices. It's really hard, but there are a lot of people who have never done any vocal percussion before, so I'm not alone. We also combine different sounds. Later, we move on to body percussion. It's pretty hard to keep the right rhythm. It's easy to accelerate and it's easy to get confused. Body percussion during walking is also harder than it seems. In the end we add singing (four different voices), and I'm glad I can finally do something which is not so hard. In the end we can sing a song with rhythms, body percussion and it sounds really cool. A great way to spend a Saturday afternoon! And after that, it's worth mentioning, we are having a dinner with other a cappella lovers, and we've never been talking about a cappella, choirs and other relative stuff for such a long time. Great!
The concert
When we get back in the theater, we sneak in to see and hear the final part of the sound check. Of course we are discovered and recognized right away, but we can stay and have a first taste of Timeless. I can hardly wait for it to start, but we have to wait a little longer. Finally we get to our seats, which are located right behind the sound engeneer. Our view is terrible, but the sound must be good. On the other hand, the view is interesting as well and I tend to say: "what does this button do??" One of the screens tells us Rock4 has been renamed to Rock Goor. And they'll rock Goor, I'm certain.
When the curtains open, the four men are already standing in the smoke and they start singing. Although I know they'll start with In the air tonight (Phil Collins), I don't recognize the intro at first. During the song, spotlights are moving over the audience as if seeking for someone. During the final part of the song, the vocal percussion gets louder and the lights are flashing. Great start of the show! During Every little thing she does is magic (The Police) the four men are standing next to each other, and I wonder why it's always from left to right: Luc Devens, Peter, Luc Nelissen, Nico. Would there be a reason for this? Anyway, it's a nice song and I try to make some pictures which is pretty hard from my point of view. They are dressed in black, but all different. Especially Peters jacket is very eh... special.
After those first two songs, Peter welcomes us and tells us they're going
to sing timeless music. Songs they like, music that touches their hearts,
songs they want us to know as well. I feel personally spoken to, because I
didn't know most of the songs until some weeks ago. Their influence reaches
far - all the way to Hengelo.
Ammonia avenue (Alan Parsons Project) is really beautiful. During the
song a clock without hands is being projected behind them. I really like this
timeless clock! Halfway the song, the audience thinks the song is over and starts
to applaud. I'm glad I know the original song, while apparently most people
don't know, and I feel pleased.
High Hopes (Pink floyd) is being sung by Peter and Luc Nelissen, the other two are sitting in the back. Peter is singing the strophes and Luc Nelissen the chorus. I really like it, but until this point there is not much power in the show and I start to miss it a little.
Peter tells us they don't just want to sing, they also want to introduce
themselves to us. We should know Rock4 is timeless as well, because they've
always been telling people they are singing together for five years. In the
beginning this was just to prevent looking so inexperienced, and nowadays it's
to stun people with the achieved quality over such a short period. After this,
Peter introduces Luc Devens to us. He's a bit worried about him, because people
keep saying his voice sounds like Freddy Mercury and Jim Morrison - but they are both
dead... The other Luc (very easy to remember: the two
with most hair are both Luc), is the little Benjamin of the group. When Peter
says this, Luc climbs upon one of the blocks in the back. Luc Nelissen is
admired because of his salsa moves, which he won't show to us tonight... Nico's
low tones come from the depth of his toes and he's Rock4's sexsymbol... Peter
about himself: "Well, that should be clear: I've got the best jacket, the
best haircut, I'm always right and I will always have the final say".
The next song is Mr. Blue Sky (Electric Light Orchestra)
and I'm surprised, because this is a song from the Pure Show and I thought
they were happy never having to sing it again. The next surprise is the fact
Luc Nelissen is singing Only the very best (Peter Kingsberry).
I thought Luc Devens would be singing this song, because of its wide range. But
it appears Luc Nelissen also has a very wide range. I really love this song!!
Beautiful!
Luc Devens tells us what he wants when he goes to a concert. He only wants
sex! Luckily he doesn't want real sex, he just wants to hear and feel emotion,
and he wants to see and feel physical singing. He'll show us during the next song.
The way he is saying this to us, and his sudden movement as if unfasten his
pants make the audience laugh. The song is Be my sculpture
(Rock4) and it starts calmly. I'm always amazed by the simplicity (it seems)
of some parts of arrangements of Rock4. With minimal bass and vocal percussion
they create an atmosphere which is so unique. It makes me want to close my
eyes and just enjoy the music. Later on, the song is not so calm anymore.
I like this increasing power during a song.
Am I being knocked down by the last song? Anyhow, Eye in the sky (Alan Parsons Project) doesn't, although Luc, Luc and Peter harmonize beautiful together.
School (Supertramp) on the
other hand is fantastic. Luc Devens starts in a beautiful spotlight and the
stage is totally dark. During the intro he's screaming and I wonder which song
he's about to sing. His naughty smile and eyes in between the screaming are just
great - I love it. For the first time I've got the feeling Luc Nelissen can give
all he's got. A great vocal percussion and finally there's more volume and power!
This song is definitely going to be on my favorite list. Back home I suddenly
realize, the screaming at the start represents the harmonica from the song - of course.
Time for a break. Enjoying Rock4 makes us thirsty ;) We get back to our seats
pretty fast, because I want it to continue! The first song after the break is
Kashmir (Led Zeppelin) and I'm already looking forward
to it, because I love the song and I'm curious how Rock4 will sing it. Well,
it's a great a cappella version! Luc Devens voice suits this song very well.
Should I mention he can be scary sometimes when he's rolling his
eyes, and that I'm wondering what he's been drinking during the break? ;)
Clocks (Coldplay) is one of the songs I like a little less, but I'm also distracted by one of the sound engineers getting away. Nico is also moving off the stage shortly, and I wonder what's wrong. The sound engineer doesn't come back and the song is being finished, but it all feels a bit messily to me. Peter comes forward and for a short moment I expect some kind of explanation, but he doesn't pay attention to what has just happened. He tells us there are songs you shouldn't touch, because they're impossible to sing a cappella, because they're instrumental. But songs like that can also be a challenge and Rock4 likes to be challenged. Private investigations (Dire Straits) is one of those songs. I really like the song. Nico is doing the speaking part of the song and it's beautiful. I agree with Peter, who told us they thought it would be fair to give Nico some text as well. Maybe they could try text with melody next time, it would be fair as well.
When Peter announces it's time for a song with just Luc and Luc, I wonder what song they will sing for us. It's Sweet Lady (Queen) from the Queen Show, and I'm so happy!! This song was not on the list Luc gave me, but it's one of my favorite Rock4 songs. I love the vocal percussion in the song and Luc Devens going crazy. And I love the fact that only two voices is enough to be captivated completely! I'm not the only one who loves it, they're rewarded with the biggest applause so far.
The next song is Tubular Bells (Mike Oldfield). This
song is 100% instrumental and now it's 100% a cappella without words. They even
renamed this song to Tubular Voices, because they don't
have bells ;) For a short moment we are all blinded by a very bright light coming
over the audience, from the back to the front - nice, although I can imagine they're
just curious who is sitting in the audience ;) I love to watch Nico, and the way
he's holding his microphone. It's like there's an invisible base drum hanging in
the air, and he uses his microphone as a drumstick. He just can't hold it without
moving it, haha.
They sit down and sing Never Knew (Rock4). Compared to the other songs, it's quite short, but I like it. Right now I only remember Luc Devens singing the lead "Never knew what I was looking for till I found you..." It's another self written song and we'll see if it'll be timeless music as well.
Peter tells us it's time to hear the final song. But, it's a very long song so we
shouldn't leave yet. I like Fool's Overture (Supertramp)
a lot, by turns it's calm and more powerful. Again this song suits Luc Devens voice
so very well.
After the applause, there are two extra songs. Both songs are from
the show "A night at the Opera". Under Pressure (Queen)
is funny, because at the end, they're snapping their fingers and the audience
has to join. But Luc Devens starts to laugh and during the song he starts to
explain to us that he can't snap his fingers, because he's always doing that
with his little finger, because with the other fingers it hurts. It's so funny.
Such a cool man, but he can't snap his fingers ;) The audience is laughing.
Luckily he can do other things. They finish the song and after another applause
they sing Love of my Life (Queen). A beautiful song
to end this show.
My conclusion is short and clear: Timeless is definitely worth visiting! Rock4
exceeds itself with a varied, unique and - for what it seems - impossible choice of repertoire.
Only one question remains: When will we be able to buy the new album?
After the show we hang around for a little while. Shocking discovery: one of
the singers made notes on one of his hands to remember what he should sing.... I won't
give away his name... but you could guess.