Member:
Dragonflame713
(Profile)
(All DVD Reviews by Dragonflame713)
Date:
5/4/2006
Format:
DVD
I have noticed recently that many bands are documenting their tours/eras with a DVD release of some sort. Iron Maiden (for example) has released many of these in recent years. While I personally love the fact that tours are being so well documented these days, I have read a number of places where some fans don’t care for this because they feel that many artists are pretty much giving the same ol thing over and over again. While this certainly is not the way I feel, I can understand some fans feeling this way. So from this angle, I would like to approach analyzing the new DVD release from Glass Hammer Live At Belmont.
It was just a couple short years ago, that Glass Hammer unleashed their first DVD Lex Live on the prog world. This set featured primarily tracks from their Lex Rex album, with some material from Perenlandra and Chronometree as well as some charming behind the scenes material, a NEARfest rehersal, and some bootleg footage from their NEARfest performance. A music video for “Tales From The Great Wars” was included as well. Overall I felt this was a very enjoyable viewing experience, and an excellent documentation of the Lex Rex era of the band. What I neglected to mention in my review for that album, is that there was one tiny little thing I felt was missing from that. Not a big issue, just one of those cases of “I wish they would have done that one!” (more on this later).
Now back to the “more of the same” topic, it is very obvious nothing could be further from the truth in the case of Live At Belmont. Only 2 songs on this one (“One King” and “When We Were Young”) made an appearance on the Lex Live DVD or the Live At NEARfest CD release. The setlist for this one focuses primarily on the Shadowlands album, and their 2 CD magnum opus The Inconsolable Secret. I have to compliment Glass Hammer for their song selection from these 2 releases, for I feel they chose the strongest material from both album especially with “Run Lisette” from Shadowlands which in itself comes across fantastic in a live setting and also has Matt Mendians doing one his incredible drum solos prior to the song. I have stated on numerous occasions how much Matt has strengthened this band’s sound and added so much depth to the rhythm section. On Live At Belmont I also notice a considerable enhancement to the lead guitar.
I have to admit, that I knew it was going to take some getting used to not seeing vocalist/guitarist Walter Moore on the front line for this concert. Unfortunately he was not able to do this show, but as the great Freddie Mercury once sang “the show must go on!”. On vocals, Carl Groves of Salem Hill steps in and meshes in very well in the Glass Hammer layered vocal attack, and delivers the songs like a true pro. On guitar, Glass Hammer brings a new member into the ranks with David Walliman and he asserts himself immediately by adding a more pronounced lead guitar presence. He does an excellent job of spicing up the songs with some flash and style, while at the same time not overdoing it. I surely hope that he will be making an appearance on the next Glass Hammer studio release and will be eager to hear what he adds to new material.
One other thing I have to say that comes across as being the same on this DVD as the last one, is the fact that Glass Hammer plays like they are very well rehearsed and the performance is very tight. The nucleus of the NEARfest lineup is present, so this should be no surprise. To further enhance Fred Schendel’s keyboard wizardry and add additional depth the Glass Hammer’s classic symphonic sound on stage, a string trio is added to the live band and are positioned in front of the 3 beautiful female vocalists Susie Bogdanowicz, Bethany Warren, and Flo Paris. The 3 ladies (as always) give a wonderful performance with their lovely voices. Susie in particular gives a gorgeous performance on the song “Through The Glass Darkly” (from “The Lady” CD of The Inconsolable Secret). There is also an excellent balance of songs from both “The Knight” and “The Lady” (CDs 1 and 2 respectively from that album). From the Knight we have the 24:39 epic “The Knight Of The North” and from “The Lady” we have “Long And Long Ago”, “Through A Glass Darkly”, and “Having Caught A Glimpse”.
I also have to pay compliments on the venue chosen to perform this work, which is Belmont University Massey Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. The rounded wooden stage looks very appropriate for a band playing songs that often deal with brave knights, fair ladies, and tales of fantasy and legend. It also makes for a nice transition from the animated menus on DVD 1 where it has a computer animation of a crown with it’s jewels moving out to form the titles of the song selection. The blue background then fades to the blue lighting bathing the wooden stage where Glass Hammer is to appear. Also from this university, Glass Hammer are also able to obtain the use of a 150 member choir! Wow! The choir enters prior to “When We Were Young” and remains there until the end of the show. Now about that one thing I felt was missing on Lex Live.
I recall a conversation with a friend of mine following the NEARfest performance, and we both agreed that while we really enjoyed the concert, we wished they would have performed the song “Heroes And Dragons”. They did perform pretty much of the rest of that album that day in 2003, and there was no reason to complain. But as most of us do when we see a concert, there is always at least one we wish we had seen. Guess my surprise and delight to see what song was to climax this evening was none other than this very song! With the 150 member choir and the string trio, they add much depth to this already amazing piece and it was a perfect way to end this “Past Watchful Dragons” event this concert was a part of.
For those who want a bit more after this event on DVD 1, there is a DVD 2 with a bunch of bonus features. Glass Hammer seems to be relishing the use of 5.1-surround sound on this DVD (it certainly gives the 1st DVD an even more spacious sound). The songs “Tales Of The Great Wars” (from Lex Rex) and “Lirazel” (from The Inconsolable Secret “The Lady” disc), feature a surround sound mix and are back with a slideshow of photos of the band. There is also a slide show with commentary from Steve Babb, Fred, and Bethany. The DVD has what I call the “bootleg footage” in the part called “2003 concert appearances” which has highlights of a number of shows that Glass Hammer performed during 2003 (one part begins with Matt Mendians “Cowboys and Mendians” drum solo). There is a behind the scenes feature, as well as a rehearsal video (150 person choir and all!). Lastly there is also a Live At Belmont trailer to complete this comprehensive look at Glass Hammer in the present day.
So “having caught a glimpse” (well more than just that, but I couldn’t resist using that quote! lol), I can honestly say this is definitely not more of the same ol same ol and it’s an excellent document of the Shadowlands/Inconsolable era of Glass Hammer. In my opinion this represents the very finest in comtemporary symphonic progressive rock, with it’s 9 musical jewels and so much more!
Member:
YESHEAD777
(Profile)
(All DVD Reviews by YESHEAD777)
Date:
5/10/2006
Format:
DVD
As one that was at this legendary show (on the front row nevertheless) and has been awaiting it's release, I can confidently say it is everything I expected and so much more! For those not already acquainted with the symphonic proggers from Chattanooga, this will be an eye and ear opening experience that will leave you speechless. I challenge anyone to find more talent and pure musicianship on one stage in prog or any other genre.
A few other general comments before I comment on each song on Disc One. For those familiar with the Lex Live DVD, this one is light years ahead in video quality, production, and esp. audio quality (the 5.1 surround is incredibly clear and crisp). That's why this DVD is so outstanding, it does justice to the quality of the musicians and voices present on that stage in Nashville that November afternoon. Disc Two has some really nice features for the hard-core fans especially. It was nice to see the 2003 concert appearances-even though the video quality is fairly poor. The slideshow has very entertaining commentary by Fred Schendel (keyboards, vocals), Steve Babb (bass, vocals), and Bethany Warren (backing, lead vocals), and an enormous amount of brilliant still shots.
Now on to the show itself:
1) “Long and Long Ago” - After the stirring instrumental opening, the entire band proper hits the stage and newcomer guitarist David Walliman quickly makes an impression by mixing lightning fast runs, soaring lead lines, and subtly jazzy bits in this opening song from Disc Two of The Inconsoable Secret. Fred quickly earns the title of "hardest worker on stage." He's all over the multi-layered keys with his Nord lead synth sounding esp. marvelous on the 5.1 mix. Matt Mendians on drums does not need any warm-up on his bombastic style. He is truly getting better and better with each performance! Flo Paris has a nice but brief solo, which goes into the note perfect harmony at the end of the song. This song also features the Adonai String Trio and Eric Parker on the steel guitar. Like most, if not all, of the selections, this is much better than the studio version IMO due mostly to David's harder/crunchier guitar sound!
2) “One King” - this selection from Lex Live is not only better than the studio version, but much better than the LL DVD version also. The vocals are much clearer and prominent in the mix, and Carl Groves (guest vocalist from Salem Hill) really starts to come into his own and gets more confidence with the band. David has some really nice subtle but tasty riffs before going back and forth with Fred which would prove to be the first of many guitar/keys battles (that IMO rival that of Howe and Wakeman on "South side of the Sky" on the 2004 Yes tour). Someone please get Fred a towel!
3) “Run Lisette”- for me this one is THE highlight of highlights. The quote from Bill Bruford about the song "And You And I" comes to mind-this song is everything that GH does right in one song-and the fans love it, and the critics will probably hate it. The intricate instrumental interludes are super tight, the harmonies are spot on, Susie Bogdanowicz's soaring soprano on the ending is breathtaking, there's just too much amazing things about this song to mention them all. A very overlooked, underrated song from a phenomenal CD (Shadowlands) that hopefully will now get more notice!
4) “Farewll to Shadowlands” - another great song from that album-first time played live-and is extremely tight. I did notice a few too many camera cuts and angles (IMHO) on this song and in a few other places. Eric's slide and Steve's bass are a little more prominent on this one. David and Fred have some more great trade-offs and the vocal harmonies are as tight as ever.
5) “Through the Glass Darkly” - I was highly anticipating this one due largely to Susie's lead vocal and it does NOT disappoint! The only thing it does do is make you wish her and the other GH beauties were down front more often! Beautiful work from the trio and Fred on piano also; just a stunning song! Carl's voice blends very nice with Susie's and the split camera shots are nice on this also.
6) “Knight of the North” - another highly anticipated number by all. This is the epic from disc One of TIS and again, was MUCH better live! Especially the long instrumental interludes. This song really gives the core members Fred, Steve, David and Matt time to shine with some added slide and acoustic guitar from Eric.
7) “Then We Were Young” - and as Steve says "if there wasn't enough people on stage already” here comes the combined choirs from Belmont University (150 strong) who barely all fit on the risers. The emotional and intense song from Lex Rex is also better (I know-broken record) than either the original or LL DVD versions-mostly due to the strength of the choir and David's soaring guitar work. Another stunner!
8) “Having Caught a Glimpse” - this one starts beautifully and never lets up. This is one of GH's strongest and prettiest melodies ever-and the choir clearly takes it over the top. ANOTHER highlight!
9) “Heroes and Dragons” - the sugar on top! The funny thing is I never cared for this song much on LL due mostly to the programmed drum sound, this version is not only better, it takes it to a completely different level. Carl and Susie's vocals are perfect - a perfect ending!
I know I've waxed on too long anyway. Don't just take my word or any other rabid GH fan's word-get it and see for yourself - YOU WILL NOT BE DISSAPPOINTED! And then meet us all in Chattanooga in October for a repeat performance!
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