I am not
sure I am the right person to judge this massive release! My objectivity might
be very hard to find, I simply adore this super group; super group in every
aspect of the word.
The name of
the tour "An evening with Transatlantic" seems very appropriate since
Transatlantic was playing for more than 3 ½ hour each evening, and the
show in London at Shepherd's Bush Empire on May 21st 2010 was captured on tape.
And if you look at the track list you'll notice they are only playing
six songs. Seven if you are counting the additional special performance they did
at the High Voltage Festival of the classic Genesis song: "The Return of the
Giant Hogweed" where they were joined on stage by Steve Hackett (Genesis). In
addition to the live show we are served with a 2 hour behind the scene documentary as well as a
band interview, those last three things are not included on the CD version,
which offers you six songs on three discs and that's it...!
Back to the
double DVD version, which offers any Transatlantic fan enough material to
almost get wet dreams about it. The live performance alone is jaw dropping
enough for me and I am sold on that one alone and the rest is just the icing on
the cake for me and I love every second of this brilliant release. The four
excellent song writers and performing artists: Roine Stolt (Electric guitars and
vocals, Flower Kings), Pete Trewavas (Bass and vocals, Marillion), Mike Portnoy
(Drums and vocals, ex-Dream Theater) and Neal Morse (Keyboards, acoustic guitars
and vocals, ex-Spock's Beard) had a little help on the tour by another great
musician: Daniel Gildenlow (Pain of Salvation), who helps out with guitars,
keyboards, percussion and vocals.
And
Transatlantic lets the music do the talking; name another band that has the
guts to open with the set with an 80 minutes long song? Yes they kick off
playing the entire 'The Whirlwind' song and we only get a small break before the
finale of the song, which means that the audience doesn't get chance to show
their full appreciation until it is done. The performance on stage is quite simply amazing and brilliant, done by
a group of extraordinary musicians that have the heart in it and loves
performing the songs live with a lot of energy and a big smile on their faces.
Each song throws you on a rollercoaster ride and the crowd loves every thing
thrown at them... And to see Neal Morse take over the drums in 'Stranger in Your
Soul' while Mike Portnoy is crowd-surfing is fucking brilliant!
This is nothing but short of being THE perfect live DVD
for me and I could go on and on about just how brilliant this is, but will leave
it with this and come with a final warning: this is for fan's only and I am sure
many metal fans won't appreciate this one bit...
This is art! And Transatlantic ROCK THE HOUSE!
(Some will understand the reference).
Available
as Ltd. 2 DVD + 3 CD mediabox, 2 DVD set and 3 CD set.
