Coyne,Kevin Live At Rockpalast 1979 CD

Kevin Coyne on this Rockpalast recording from WDR studio L, K?ln from January 4 1979 finds him at the top of his game, performing to a captive audience midway through a sold out German tour and gives a splendid flavour of his idiosyncratic but particularly individual style with eighteen cuts like the venomous Right On Your Side, the acoustic punk-style approach of Amsterdam or the righteous anger of Having A Party. Only three songs in, Coyne is sweating profusely yet giving it absolutely everything dressed in decidedly untrendy bib and brace combo. Coyne appears fresh, particularly coherent and confident in his ability to deliver his biting sarcasm; his witty self-deprecation is superbly captured as he stares into a hand mirror and declares "Kevin you look beautiful". He dons a grey top hat for the electro and frenetic semi-atheistic Saviour and his open-tuning rhythmic delivery only adds to the compassion of the anti-racist Uggy's Song. Dedicating the acoustic punk blues of "Brothers Of Mine" to Johnny Rotten, 'A great man' he proclaims only adds to his legend as a punk influence and a willing outsider. Joined by UK musical heavyweight and admirer Zoot Money from Dynamite Daze gives an indication of just how well Coyne, despite his outsider persona, was loved and respected in his native land. His art school past and his German environs perhaps make a song like Are We Dreaming evoke memories of the theatrical approach of Brecht, and he further expands the atmosphere donning a plastic mask for Burning Head while his own artwork in the shape of the beautiful grotesque grinning bizarre backdrop head looks on approvingly. This recording finds Coyne at his very best and absolutely in his element.

1. Araby 2. Right On Her Side 3. Amsterdam 4. Having A Party 5. Saviour 6. Uggy's Song 7. Marjory Razorblade 8. Brothers Of Mine 9. Dance Of The Bourgeoisie 10. Dynamite Daze 11. Are We Dreaming 12. Pretty Park 13. Don't Blame Mandy 14. Burning Head 15. The World Is Full Of Fools 16. Eastbourne Ladies 17. Roses In Your Room 18. Strange Locomotion 19. Araby 20. Right On Her Side 21. Amsterdam 22. Having A Party 23. Saviour 24. Uggy's Song 25. Marjory Razorblade 26. Brothers Of Mine 27. Dance Of The Bourgeoisie 28. Dynamite Daze 29. Are We Dreaming 30. Pretty Park 31. Don't Blame Mandy 32. Burning Head 33. The World Is Full Of Fools 34. Eastbourne Ladies 35. Roses In Your Room 36. Strange Locomotion 37. Interview with Alan Bangs