Spin It Again

Author: Peter Podbrežnik

Artist: Saga
Label: Ear Music Records
Release: 2013
Rating: 5/5

Canadian art-rock heavyweights Saga picked the last date of their 2012 tour, in the middle of which they were, among other things, presenting new songs from the album »20/20«, to record a double live CD and a DVD, which they named »Spin It Again«, also the title of one of the new compositions. That show went down in Munich’s famous Muffathalle, which some of us at Rockline know very well and where we were also present five years ago for the (temporary) farewell of Saga’s charismatic singer Michael Sadler. The result of that big concert event five years ago was the double live CD and DVD »Contact – Live in Munich« (2009), and now, by pure coincidence, or maybe not, given that Munich is probably the favorite European concert stage of this legendary Canadian outfit, we’re there again on »Spin It Again« too, cheering loudly from the crowd.

With the returning, unique and irreplaceable Sadler and new drummer Mike Thorne in the lineup, Saga were stronger live than ever before, at least since the first time we saw them in the flesh. Their setlist that night was practically a dream and managed to cover virtually every era of the band, while also bringing back some old favorites they hadn’t played in years. The Muffathalle was once again bursting at the seams, both in terms of volume and the number of people packed in.

The opening »20/20« bomb »Anywhere You Wanna Go« makes for an authoritative start to the live recording, and proof that Saga are still very proud of their latest studio album, from which they played three songs that night. The setlist held quite a few pleasant surprises, especially songs they hadn’t played in years, like the epic Mouse in a Maze, a masterpiece from »Images At Twilight« (1979), where Saga impress most with their synth multi-harmonies. Keyboardist Jim Gilmour, bassist/occasional keyboardist Jim Crichton and Sadler all end up behind their own keyboards at the same time here, and Sadler sang the whole thing with an incredible dose of emotional pathos, hitting one of the vocal highlights of the night.

Besides some very pleasant surprises and highlights from »20/20«, »Spin It Again« doesn’t lack renditions of long-time classics, mostly from the first five ‘classic’ Saga albums, such as the splendid versions of the standards Careful Where You Step and The Perfectionist. During Careful Where You Step, Gilmour had an awkward moment right at the start, coming in a little late with his synth line and trying to fix it on the fly. In the final production of this double live recording, Saga removed this almost endearing slip.

You’re Not Alone, the most beloved Saga classic among most fans, which they usually play toward the end of the show or as an encore, is surprisingly played already in the first half of the concert. Sadler traditionally calls on the crowd to sing the chorus and sets up a ‘contest’ between the male and female voices, with the latter, as expected, winning in the end.

With the slightly darker-toned Spin It Again, Saga return once more to 2012, where all the tears have long been in vain and the only solution left is to laugh at the absurdity of everyday life. This is followed by probably the biggest surprise of the whole night, the progressive rock instrumental Corkentellis, originally from the album »10,000 Days« (2007), which always poses quite a challenge thanks to its technical difficulty. Sadler temporarily leaves the stage at this point, while Gilmour, both Crichton brothers and drummer Thorne conjure up unforgettable improvisational magic. Special mention goes to the astonishing guitar improvisations of the eternally overlooked guitar legend Ian Crichton.

Corkentellis marks the rare instrumental moment in their career when they dared to dive deepest into the heart of traditional, improvisational prog rock with a fusion influence. The hugely popular evergreen The Flyer from »Heads Or Tales« (1983), where the crowd once again eagerly helped out with the chorus, brings a really fitting contrast and highlights their long-standing loyalty to the melodic side of music. The spirited Six Feet Under, one of the better achievements from the new album »20/20«, reminds everyone once more that Saga are still a superpower in their field, while the unexpected rendition of The Cross from their concept masterpiece »Generation 13« (1995), another big surprise of the night, sets off a wave of rabid enthusiasm in the crowd. Sadler is especially thrilling here, accompanying his vocal performance with theatrical gestures and fully immersing himself in the role of the lost boy Sam, the protagonist of that concept magnum opus.

After a captivating solo spot by new drummer Mike Thorne called Fish Beat, only Sadler and Gilmour remain on the stage, and they deliver a splendid acoustic version of the »Worlds Apart« (1981) classic Time’s Up. Then Sadler leaves and hands Gilmour the role of central ‘star’, both on keys and lead vocals. After a short solo piece on the electric piano, ‘Jimbo’ confidently sings the cult ballad Scratching The Surface, one of the few Saga evergreens featuring his lead vocals. Once Michael returns to the stage with the other three comrades, he pulls a little prank, playing the intro arrangement of Images, the epic from the legendary »Images At Twilight«, on keys, then ‘changes his mind’ and plays the opening arrangement of the »Worlds Apart« classic No Regrets, whetting the crowd’s appetite.

On the third try, when Sadler’s jokes are finally over, the whole band bursts in and confidently surprises with Tired World, an evergreen from »Saga« (1978), duly followed by its ‘companion’ Humble Stance, where Michael also picks up the bass guitar. Along with It’s Time and No Regrets, neither of which was ‘on the bill’ that night, this is one of the few moments when the charismatic singer decides to play bass as well.

A Saga show wouldn’t be complete without at least a few songs from their commercially most successful album »Worlds Apart«, namely the expected long-time favorites On the Loose and Wind Him Up. The close of the night, and of this recording, is made up of Framed, yet another »Worlds Apart« classic, and Don’t Be Late, an evergreen from »Silent Knight« (1980).

Amid the mighty atmosphere of the Muffathalle, Saga proved once again on »Spin It Again« that with Michael Sadler in the lineup they’re a rock-solid monolith of live perfection, and with an ideal setlist they thrill even the most demanding fans. Besides Gilmour, who has been in their ranks since 1980 (apart from a temporary departure between 1986 and 1992), three original members, that is Sadler and both Crichton brothers, are still the main engine of these Canadian progressive rock legends, in the studio and live alike. And even though they try to present something new in their music with every album (which is of course commendable), that gives them maximum consistency, which is why seeing one of their shows is a special experience for every lover of good, spiritually fulfilling and intelligent music.

Lineup

Michael Sadler – vocals, keyboards, bass guitar
Jim Gilmour – lead keyboards, backing vocals
Ian Crichton – guitar
Jim Crichton – bass guitar, keyboards
Mike Thorne – drums

Production

Saga

Tracklist

1. Anywhere You Wanna Go
2. Mouse in a Maze
3. Careful Where You Step
4. The Perfectionist
5. You’re Not Alone
6. Spin It Again
7. Corkentellis
8. The Flyer
9. Six Feet Under
10. The Cross
11. Mike Thorne drum solo
12. Time’s Up
13. Scratching The Surface
14. Tired World
15. Humble Stance
16. On the Loose
17. Wind Him Up
18. Framed
19. Don’t Be Late