The drums kick in, and before the audience falls silent a few greetings are audible above the cheers - "Welcome back
t'England" among them. The applause dies a little before Pål's guitar starts to sing and Lauren's recital begins - a solitary blue
light illuminating her face. The chanted lyrics 'whiteness I remember' - 'dialogue between ghost and priest' - 'to sleep' -
'departure' - 'resolve'. The end of the track punctuated twice by a single note held between statements.
There isn't even time to draw breath between the end of Flowers and the start of Tears - Pål assigning his guitar sole responsibility for the link between the two. The seconds pass, the familiar refrain rolling outwards from the low stage and being joined by Frode on drums to a mini-crescendo. The heart of the song then revealed as the whole band throw themselves into what proved to be - arguably - Savoy's best performance to date.
The club might have been small, but the acoustics were good enough, Pål's voice rising above the powerful live interpretation of all the tracks. The size of the club permitted sight of the whole band and the passion and commitment of the whole band was evident - Frode especially throwing heart and soul into everything he did. I Still Cry followed - as ever drums and guitar so prominent with Pål and Frode's vocals lifting together during the chorus. Lauren then steps back into the limelight for Butt Out slowed down from the album version - but all the better for so being. Lauren was also on fine form vocally, and the tail end of the track seemed all the heavier and more electrifying for the slower beginning. "Butt, Butt, Butt, Butt, Butt, Butt, Butt, Butt OUT!" concludes Lauren to an audience by now well and truly awed at the raw power and guts of the performance.
Sycamore Leaves follows. Pål's vocal here hiliting a comment from Lauren a few years back in Tique about he having 'more
balls' in his voice than Morten.
Savoy's interpretation of Sycamore Leaves has grown on me and now stands out as one of the
greater tracks that they do live. Lackluster Me 
introduced by Lauren demonstrates that yes, Pål really can sing (in case anyone
at the gig hadn't been paying attention up until then) and evoked a great response from the crowd. Pål's brow creased in
concentration for much of this track - eyes closed and fingers working away on his acoustic guitar. A sobering thought that for
so long his talents as a front man remained hidden. Film footage plays across both backdrop and Pål's face, the great dolls
head swimming in and out of focus.
A quick guitar change for Pål and Foreign Film then kicks in. Once more, Lauren is spot on. A touch of feedback towards the end, the second of the evening, and further film footage to accompany. Pål plays with one finger only, eliciting from his instrument the perfect sound to make an already impressive interpretation absolutely shine. Frode giving his all at the back of the stage. Rain then follows and as was Lackluster Me proves an impressive illustration of the diversity of the band, that there is more to them than the raw rock tracks they do so well and Pål's guitar shines once more.
And then follows one of those raw rock tracks. Daylight's Wasting launched with yet another example of Pål's guitar skills
and a cool rocking version of that second verse with a great dual vocal from Lauren and Pål! The familiar guitar rift ends far too
soon (spot one of my favourite tracks) and the last track documented on the on-stage listing Velvet kicks in. It is not long
before the set is over, a total of 10 tracks that kicked arse, the band have said their farewells and departed the stage. The lights
begin to go up and I look around - awed - stunned - only to see that I am surrounded by faces exhibiting the same expression.
We stand in silence for a moment and then everyone begins to talk at once, all expressing the sentiment that it wasn't long
enough - that they can't wait years to have to hear more. It is after a few moments of this that it occurs to someone that we
might not have to and the chant is taken up "We want more!"
The cries are answered, and the band return, looking surprised and pleased. Pål outwardly looking happier than I think I've
ever seen him. The calls for Unsound go unheeded as Pål's guitar once more leads the band into what proves to be a single
track encore Get Up Now. The audience joins in on the chorus for this one track more than on any other and the reward for
our summons of the band back to the stage is a great one. Pål's lyrics may not be spot on (did he sing "Never know how much
she weighs"? or was it just me :) but his vocals soared higher than I believed he could sing, leaving one and 
all commenting
upon how damn good the band were.
Once again, I cannot do justice to the gig and live in hope that it will not be long before the next show. Thanks to all those who came along and provided a 'proper' audience for the band to play to! On behalf of Project Daylight I would like to thank Bhavna for ensuring us front row places and the band for letting us know about the gig in the first place.
The dedication from this page has to go to all those who wanted to come and couldn't make it. My heart goes out to them and the only words that I can offer in consolation are that they will be back. They have to be. For anyone who couldn't make it, or even those who did, check out the following link to get your hands on tapes of Savoy Live.
This review was written for the currently unavailable
Last updated 30th April 1999.
