LIVE AT THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE

"Live At The Grand Opera House" is the third DVD of Mostly Autumn that was released in 2003. It was recorded at the Grand Opera House in York, England. It represents the return of the band to their home town. The Grand Opera House in York is unspectacular on the outside, but inside of it we can see that it's a very lovely place. With a capacity for 1000 people, it's spacious enough, yet it's also intimate. So, the Grand Opera House is a perfect place for Mostly Autumn.

"Live At The Grand Opera House" was released in three different versions. It was released in 2003 a DVD version with twelve tracks, which is the version that I have. It was released in the same year another DVD version, a limited edition, with nineteen tracks. It was also released in 2004 a CD version, a smaller version with only ten tracks, which I also own.

The line up on "Live At The Grand Opera House" is Bryan Josh (vocals, lead electric guitars, 6 and 12 string acoustic guitars and E-bow), Heather Findlay (vocals, 6 and 12 string acoustic guitars, bodhran and tambourine), Ian Jennings (vocals, keyboards and Hammond organ), Liam Davison (vocals, 6 and 12 string acoustic guitars, electric and slide guitars), Angela Goldthorpe (flute and whistles), Andy Smith (bass guitar) and Jonathan Blackmore (drums). However, this live concert had also the participation of Troy Donockley (Uilleann pipes and electric guitar), of the choir of the members of The Micklegate Singers and the "Synthesis" String Quartet, all as guest musicians.

So, my DVD version of "Live At The Grand Opera House" has twelve tracks. The first track "Caught In A Fold" was originally released on "Passengers". The second track "The Dark Before The Dawn" was originally released on "The Last Light Bright". The third track "Answer The Question" was originally released on "Passengers". The fourth track "Goodbye Alone" was originally released on "Music Inspired By The Lord Of The Rings". The fifth track "Passengers" was originally released on "Passengers". The sixth track "Distant Train" was also originally released on "Passengers". The seventh track "The Gap Is Too Wide" was originally released on "The Spirit Of Autumn Past". The eighth track "Bitterness Burnt" was originally released on "Passengers". The ninth track "Never The Rainbow" was originally released on "The Last Bright Light". The tenth track "Smoke On The Water" is a cover of a song originally released by Deep Purple on "Machine Head". The eleventh track "Comfortably Numb" is a cover of a song originally released by Pink Floyd on "The Wall". The twelfth track "Pass The Clock" was originally released on "Passengers".

So, and unfortunately, my DVD version has less seven tracks that the limited edition released by the band has. Those seven tracks are: "Nowhere To Hide (Close My Eyes)", "Heroes Never Die", "Evergreen", "Winter Mountain", "The Spirit Of Autumn Past (Part 2)", "Overture ? The Forge Of Sauron" and "Greenwood The Great (Shadow Glades)".

As soon as the DVD begins, we all knew that we were in a presence of a great live musical experience. A large projected video displays flashed familiar images based on the Tolkien's book "The Lord Of The Rings" when we heard the song "Goodbye Alone". Throughout the concert, the video projections, which are all very well done, continue with images from nature and space that we can see when we heard the song "Passengers". At one point we can also see images from Fritz Lang's film "Metropolis" when we heard their song "Distant Train". The projections always complimented the music and never detracted from it. In addition to the regular band, a string quartet, playing behind a transparent screen, were on stage, sometimes playing as a unit, sometimes as individual musicians. This is a DVD with a fine selection of tracks up to "Passengers" album. It has also two excellent covers of the Deep Purple's "Smoke On The Water" and Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb", in front of an appreciative hometown audience very enthusiastic. This DVD gives a good feeling of what the band are when live. I think this is the closest you'll ever get to seeing them live without being there.

Conclusion: As I mentioned above and when I reviewed the CD version of "Live At The Grand Opera House", I had the privilege to see a partial view of the show because I own a copy of the regular DVD version. And when I say, a partial view, which precisely means that unfortunately, I don't own the special limited edition with the nineteen tracks. Anyway, and despite of that, I must confess that it was a real pleasure for me to can see it. What we can hear and see on this DVD is about 78 or 130 minutes, as you have the regular or the special edition of the concert. Here we have astonishing and emotional music from a great band at the peak of their musical power. The light show was fantastic and gave the performance a depth and intensity that also visually engaged the audience. I always was a great fan of Mostly Autumn. As a conclusion, my verdict is that all Mostly Autumn's fans should have this DVD, or at least purchase the CD version.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

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