LIVE IN CONCERT WITH THE EDMONTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

This is a truly fantastic live album. I like most of the original versions of these songs in the studio albums, but the orchestrations have brought much stronger spirit in to them. The opener "Conquistador" sounds so good, that it makes me feel it was originally intended to be scored for an orchestra. "Whaling Stories" is maybe the band's best track in my opinion, and this is an ultimate version of it, the chorus bringing awesome power to it and the calm and aggressive parts have wonderful contrasts. "A Salty Dog" is also a great song, and this is surely much better version than on the original album due better orchestration and tension of live performance. The closing number "In Held 'Twas in I" works also much better here with symphonic orchestra than on the original studio album I think. There are some slight alterations in its arrangements, and the grand finale is truly one of the most solemn moments of progressive rock's history I have yet heard. Thus a very recommendable classic album.