I was lucky enough to witness
Star One live in concert, when they played in Hamburg last year. I still remember that night vividly. Everything came together to form a fantastic concert, I wish everybody could have experienced. I know I will never forget it. If you want to get a taste of the experience please follow
this link, to read the live report from the
Star One show in Hamburg, including loads of pictures, and then get back here to see if this double live album is able to capture that experience...
Well, I have a hard time believing this, but Arjen Anthony Lucassen has indeed managed to capture the magic of this one-time experience perfectly! I get a strange feeling of Deja-vu while listening to this double live album.
The production couldn't be better. There is clear distinction between every instrument and the multi layered vocals of all the singers are flawlessly worked into the sound as well. I'm amazed that the powerful live sound I remember, has been captured so well.
This performance was recorded on the last show on the tour, in Rijssen, Holland. The band sounds just like when I saw them in Hamburg, and the songs are pretty much the same, except for a few omissions. The band plays with confidence and tightness, doing little improvisations along the way, and basically it just feels like everybody is having a great time.
Arjen has to be applauded for his guitar work. Being the sole guitarist on stage, he still manages to lay a great, heavy foundation, and plays solos and everything else, with a great touch of emotion. He is a fantastic guitarist with a unique sense of melody. Bass and drums are as tight as they possibly could be, played by experienced musicians Peter Vink on Bass and Ed Warby on drums. The singers, Russel Allen,
Damian Wilson, Robert Soeterboeck, Floor Jansen and Irene Jansen all put on an enchanting performance. I can only say: Listen and be amazed...
Along with the
Star One songs, there are a lot of nice surprises from the
Ayreon catalogue (Check out the tracklisting on the right). All these songs work really well with the
Star One crew, and I feel that the collection of songs has been very well chosen.
Here are just a few of the many many highlights of these two discs.
- When the instruments stop playing, leaving only the voices of all the singers. This sounds extremely powerful. Songs of the Ocean and the otherworldly ending of The Eye of Ra are the best examples of this.
- Dawn of a million souls, with a magnificent performance of Russel Allen
- The way Damian Wilson sings Into the black hole is brilliant, and the way the Jansen sisters back him up works very well.
- Valley of the Queens, beautifully sung by Floor Jansen with Irene in the background and special guest Ewa Albering on flute.
- The rendition of the instrumental The dream sequencer, played with much emotion from the guitar of Arjen Lucassen.
- The band introduction in the middle of The two gates. There are some laugh out loud moments here.
- The captivating performance of Isis and Osiris, where flute player Ewa Albering makes another appearance
- The keyboard wizardry of Joost van den Broek cannot go unmentioned. He is just incredible. I can't wait to get the DVD, so I can see the intensely funny Keyboard/Guitar battle at the end of Amazing flight in space, with my own eyes again.
- Intergalactic Space Crusaders... Say no more!
I could go one forever, but I think you get the picture. This concert has everything. The audience is also very enthusiastic, and sound like they're really into the concert.
This review is based on the Double Live CD promo I got. Unfortunately it did not include the bonus DVD that comes with the limited edition, so I can't comment on that one yet. As soon as I get the limited edition, which I have on order, the DVD review will be up. If you're quick you can order a special autographed version of the limited edition from the Dutch online shop
Disque.nl. But be quick, they only have 75 copies available. The release date is April 28.
Live on Earth ranks up there with the best live albums I have ever heard. Everything is played to the max. and nobody is holding back. Turn the volume up and you will feel like standing right in the middle of the audience. The sound is that powerful. I may be a little biased, because I experienced one of the concerts, but that this Live release actually lives up to my high expectations is a great testament. A few things that I missed are the the Keyboard and Bass solos. These will appear on the bonus DVD though, and if they follow the style from Hamburg, I know they just have to be seen. I could imagine that they were cut to make the live album flow better.
I'm happy to conclude that this live album is a real gem. Arjen Anthony Lucassen and all surrounding him, have pulled of a real feat with this tour, and this release has immortalised, what will forever stand for me, as a timeless music experience of pure fun. I have total confidence that things will get even better, when I get the limited edition with the bonus DVD. Come to me... my precious...
Written by
Steen Friday, April 25, 2003
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