Paul Gilbert's first DVD "Space Ship Live" is released simultaneously as his new album "Space Ship One". As the title indicates the DVD is a live recording of Paul Gilbert, who is backed by his usual bassist Linus of Hollywood and drummer Marco Minneman.
The band performs in a studio wearing space suits to underline the common space theme on both the album and DVD. Basically the DVD captures the band in the studio making a live recording. Since there isn't any audience the performance totally lacks participation and feedback - there is no energy and live nerve in the performance.
The songs performed are mostly off the new "Space Ship one" record, but there is also room for a few classic tracks from Gilbert's career where
Going Down to Mexico stands strongest. The songs sound very close to the album versions since the conditions of the performance limit the band. Read my
review of "Space ship One" for a description of the songs.
The performance lacks a loose feel and in general it lacks atmosphere of a band performing live. The DVD can be compared to
Glenn Hughes latest DVD, which also was recorded live in the studio and was short of many of the same things. However, Glenn invited a small audience to the studio, lit some candles and at least tried to create an atmosphere, which is totally missing on "Space ship live"
There is no spark and live feeling in the performance. The musicians are glued to the floor and overall the concept of releasing DVD's "live in the studio" doesn't work well. The only time that we get the usual unpretentious glimpse of Gilbert is on the sequences leading to the songs where Paul Gilbert introduces each song accompanied by virtuoso guitar playing.
The bonus material is alternative takes of songs from the same session. The only extra value is a handful of acoustic songs from Gilbert's back catalogue performed by Paul only.
I enjoy Paul Gilbert's songs and I think his new album is good, but compared to today's quality in DVD's "Space Ship Live" definitely is a low budget product and a fan only DVD. Entertainment value and variety is at an absolute minimum.
Rating: 3.5/10Written by
Michael Friday, September 2, 2005
