Nærvær av tredje grad

Review of the opening concert of the Union Scene (Sat 24.09.2005, 10 pm, about 250 listeners) with Leven and his now four-piece band. Gundersen is disappointed by the band sound: synthetic synthesizer sounds and a booming bass did not suit Leven's music; the best sound came from the Drammen percussionist Eivind Kløverød (in the paper “Kløverud”), whose playing ideally complemented Leven's rhythmic guitar, including a percussion duel. Leven himself is a “big man” with a big voice, presence and coarse, humorous announcements, a poet and master guitarist with great stylistic range. Further back in the hall the audience's chatter was disruptive; Leven needs intense closeness, a listening audience and sparse instrumentation.