LONDON ASTORIA CLUB CONCERT 2007

I wanted this DVD because I really loved Madcap's Flamming Duty which is performed almost in it's entirety for this concert. I really wanted to really love it but I don't for a few good reasons. It's Ok, I even like it, but I'm not floored.

I've seen Tangerine Dream twice. The first time was in 88, with Paul Haslinger and Ralph Wadful during which the energy seemed great. One could get an idea of who was doing what and appreciatte how the band performs given the amount of electronic gear they use. You could see Paul H. press a key and trigger drum sounds or a long rythmic phrase and apprecciatte that with an "AH that's how they do it!" effect.

You don't get that here entirely. It must be a challenge I'm sure, given the number of sequenced layers, but this time around there are so many band members, that I can't see a live performance being impossible to pull of with an organic, live vibe. It seems to be the case here (impossible) and I can't figure out why.

Is it the video editor's fault that when Thorsten Quaeschning sits on the kit and flails his arms, the roll that he's playing isn't really being heard? Same w/ Iris Camaa, who I was really looking forward to seeing play after watching a You-Tube of her utterly lighting fire to a version of "Flight Thru Metamorphic Rock" while playing a v-kit. It seemed so as I wished the editors chose to cut out the shlock, the psychedelic visualizations, the slo motions, the stupid reuse of shot's weve seen already. Sync what was shot with what was played PLEASE! Why is it that when we see Edgar Froese's hands move, there is not a matching phrase to hear? Is it the mix?

Or is the fault of the band to decide playing over rythm tracks, kick drums, programmed tom rolls etc that they are otherwise cabable of performing, and pass that off as live? If so... bleh! In my opinion Iris or Thorston should just play the core drum groove, the thrust of it all, fills included, and that Tangerine Dream should take that much risk for crying out loud!

I really think that both video editing and performance decsions factor into m y feeling of this DVD, which really isin't entirely bad.

There are good moments , like the flourishes of something brewing between the members during the performance of "Solution to all Problems," and "Lake of Pontechartrain" and i would say that the first half of the concert is the best half in which Christian Hausl is very good. His voice is immaculate, which unfortuntately makes me believe post production came into play simply because of the less believable performances I mentioned earlier. If they are playing over drum tracks, while they have two competant drummers, what's to stop ole Ed from running a vocal track for perfections sake? I don't want to believe that, really. I think getting in there more with a live approach by dropping certain elements programed in the studio, and having the camera crew really show what everyone's part in each song is would be great, perhaps the wish of a naive over-hill-fan of too many years.

Anyway, the best moments are "A Dream of Death," in which the rythm section of Thorsten and Iris work well together to thicken the rock part, and "Shape my Sin" which is just a great song. The stage, lights and synthesizers are great, the sequencers clear, everything you would expect from Tangerine Dream. When I release my obsessive expectations, I must admitt it is a good set of music.

Much of the instrumental stuff is good. 'Cool Shibua,' feels to be a good blend of live and electronic elements in that we really hear Iris's fluid percussion ideas, and in 'Sphinx Lightening,' we finaly get to enjoy a good honest, and balanced presentation in this way. For most of the piece Cama sits at the kit, seems to own it, the groove, the rolls, and the camera lingers enough on her instead of darting where it doesn't need to go. Still, at the end of the song the tom rolls appear to be programmed (or seems that way). "What is going on? Is she now doubling? Don't get it. Rare Bird" is a higlight as well, only Bernard is the centerpiece here.

It is certainly not a b ad performance, but I would like to see a Tangerine Dream DVD where it feels most live in that despite the programming you really get the heart of the players and thier talents. It is not enough for me that Iris and Linda Spa are gorgeous. I want to connect with thier musical ability. Edgars parts are always a mystery to me. I'm sure that it might have to do with a high level role he plays, with loading each set piece, but it would be nice if the camera crew had a better idea of how to approach bringing us into that world. Though a good concert, complete and well varied with great Tangerine Dream music, expect to at times feel as though you are watching a music video as parts don't seem to sync up.

Otherwise, just play it as a CD, with the visuals to merely be enjoyed as gravey.. If anyone has any real information on how Tangerine Dream pull off thier live shows, I would love read about it.