LIVE IN EUROPE

Up until I first watched this disc, I liked Flying Colors, but I would not say that I regarded them as one of my favourite bands. Since they have put out only two albums (both of which I own), it is probably way too soon to really form a lasting opinion about this, anyway. However, after watching this disc, I am absolutely certain that the disc captures one of my top 5 or so, favourite live performances, on DVD or Blu-ray, in my substantial collection. There are few bands that I know of that can play live versions of their material, which I prefer to their original studio versions, or that I like at least equally, as another take on the same music. I now proclaim Flying Colors, on the evidence of this disc, to be one of those bands. Of course, this is very possible with musicians and composers of this high calibre and with the crystal-clear recording of live sound that can be achieved these days. Just to be complete about the technical quality of the disc then, the visuals are as stunningly pristine as the sound.

Of course, however, it is the quality of the songs and the performance of them, that should really matter to the purchaser of this disc. It is evident that the songs are infused into the muscle-memory of the band members, as they tour, play and perform. A big factor in my enthusiasm for this disc, is the palpable sense of enjoyment of the band members and their pride in the music that they have created. The simple rule is that when the performers have fun, the audience has fun. A remarkable fact about this disc, is that the band had only one album of Flying Colors songs to create their set-list from, so they played the whole album, plus songs from their past bands, to pad the performance out beyond an hour, as Mike Portnoy informs the audience. Let me assure you that these older songs are as far from filler material as you are likely to hear and the fact that there is not a poor song or performance on this disc, should tell you something about the quality of this band and the quality of their first album (Flying Colors).

Although this is a prog rock band, the songs are mostly very accessible, very positive and uplifting, without being anywhere close to light, frothy, throwaway pop music - and I love every song. This opinion comes from someone whose music collection consists mainly of prog rock of all sorts, including a lot of dark, dense, challenging and frankly bizarre stuff, which I generally far prefer to easily accessible music. Of course, all of the band members, bar one, have solid backgrounds in major progressive rock bands. Neal Morse (ex-Spock's Beard) is just ridiculously talented as a keyboard player and vocalist and as for drummer Mike Portnoy (ex-Dream Theater) - well he only cements his reputation as one of, if not the best drummer, in rock music today. He doesn't even totally crash and burn in his vocal parts! The other band members are the axe wizard Steve Morse on lead guitar (Dixie Dregs, Deep Purple), Dave LaRue (Dixie Dregs) and the younger-than-the-rest and extremely talented vocalist (also guitarist), Casey McPherson (Alpha Rev).