Sparks

Sparks’ ‘Two Hands, One Mouth’ tour found the youthful, joyful Mael brothers stripping songs from their considerable catalogue down to just keyboard and voice. Opening on a piano medley, Ron and Russell repeatedly took our breath away with clear, light theatrical arrangements of cult album tracks and other recent, delightfully clever compositions. Following selections from opera in progress ‘The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman’, the hits came flying, peaking with ecstatic Eurodance versions of their ‘No. 1 in Heaven’ singles. 40 years in pop, and Russell’s voice and energy are unsurpassable, with Ron as wickedly inscrutable as ever. Multiple ovations ensued.

Concert Hall, Brighton Dome, 25 October 2012
Rating:
Stuart Huggett