Great lake swimmers
(October 18, 2005)
The Great Lake Swimmers is Tony Dekker + band, dark, slow, hrm, nothing like anything I would normally appreciate. Found them through 6ize, and I didn't expect much when I clicked the link; I hate whiny people with guitars. This was better - no selfpity, just sharp searches for the way the world spins round, with a lot of spirituality inside, which at the same time is very down to earth (if I’m to understand it somewhat, has to be).
So I got the two albums they have out, been favorites for months now. It even grew on the girl, while a bit sceptical at first. So when they came to Paradiso, time to go check them out, and she’s now totally converted. Even if planned in afternoon, and in small hall, the show went really well. I got a bit of an uneasy feeling when only 50 or so people showed up, Tony turned out to be a bit shy, but when reception was good (and most people seemed to know what to expect), they presented a nice mix of both their albums, some solo songs with only Tony, technically really well.
Foremost change with the albums, I now consider those a bit ‘flat’ produced. Debut simply is, 2nd is actually well produced, but we got to hear his voice so much better, which drew much more attention to his words, and emphasised the beauty of that voice is a major attraction for the band. Sincere, somewhat female even, spiritual. There's an urge to his words that I hardly see around, we went home kinda ‘high’…
Below are the songs they prolly thought are most catchy for promotion, but there’s some more worthy for (our) funerals - big thanks for playing ‘A man with no skin’ (that be me) and ‘I could be nothing’ (from my much more spiritual girl).
From their selftitled debut:
Moving pictures silent films;
I will never see the sun.
From ‘Bodies and minds’:
Various stages;
Bodies and minds.