Prog Bands, Artists and Genres Appreciation - A compilation of interesting prog DVD's

GREG LAKE - Live (****)
- A few years ago I bought a live CD from this band, I was very pleasantly surprised and even impressed about the dynamic sound and strong renditions from the classic ELP tracks. So when Hans mailed me about this new Greg Lake DVD (a 2-CD set) I ordered it immediately!

DVD-1 opens with The Court Of The Crimson King, it sounds fine but I miss a little bit the warm atmosphere of the original version. Listening to the rest of the DVD-1, I conclude that this is the only negative remark, what a great band, what a sensational duo-keyboard work, what a powerful rhythm-section and what a 'killer-guitarplayer', he lifts almost every track to a very high level! The tracks often sound bombastic featuring spectaculair work on keyboards like in Fanfare For The Common Man, Lucky Man (great fat sound during the legendary solo) and especially the epic Pictures At An Exhibition that contains many captivating and surprising musical ideas and exciting soli. Greg Lake also delivers delicate work on acoustic guitar, this is a good contrast with the often bombastic prog.
DVD-2 features Welcome Backstage (exclusive view on the band with pre-tour 'rehearsals', nice backstage movies and of course interviews), The Band (docu about the band tour) and St. Bride's - Featuring Ian Anderson, David Arch & Florian Ophale (Greg Lake plays his hit I Believe In Father Christmas from 1975 with Ian Anderson on flute and a church choir).

THIS IS A GREAT PROGROCK DOCUMENT, A MUST FOR EVERY ELP FAN!!

VARIOUS ARTISTS — The Best Of Krautrock Vol 1 (*****)
- WHAT AN INCREDIBLE EXCITING EXPERIENCE THIS DVD IS!! Since the second half of the Seventies I am a Krautrock fan, in that period I started to collect albums from Novalis, Jane, Grobschnitt, Eloy, Hoelderlin and Ramses. I remember that I witnessed concerts by some of these bands on the German television (our neighbours) like Grobschnitt and Jane. And now this DVD contains live footage from that era (1970-1978), WHAT A THRILL!!

The featured bands on this DVD are Amon Düül II, Can, Frumpy, Lucifer’s Friend, Epitaph, Birth Control, Passport, Guru Guru, Popol Vuh, Kraftwerk, Embryo, Novalis, Lothar Meid, Eloy and Jane. These bands deliver a lot of variety, from psychedelic (Amon Duul II), experimental (Popol Vuh) and jazzy (Passport) to symphonic rock (Novalis and Eloy), bluesrock (Frumpy) and hardrock (Lucifer's Friend). I was very delighted about the tracks by Frumpy (great Hammond organ sound), Amon Duul II (captivating psychedelic rock with raw guitar, a powerful violin solo and lots of weird synthesizer sounds), Eloy (wonderful and lush sound with Hammond, Minimoog and fiery electric guitar along the warm and distinctive vocals by Frank Bornemann), Jane (simple but very compelling symphonic bluesrock with great interplay between fiery guitar and powerful Hammond waves) and the absolute highlight Novalis delivering their epic Sonnenwende (17 minutes): wonderful keyboards by Lutz Rahn (beautiful flute-Mellotron intro, then tasteful work on Hammond, Minimoog, string-ensemble and clavinet), inspired vocals and sensitive, very flowing electric guitar, GREAT! The 42 minutes docu is very interesting but also a bit sad because it confronts you with the difficult situation in which the many promising Krautrock groups had to survive, only a few managed because most of the bands got no support from record companies and government! The docu contains very exciting live footage from bands like Udo Lindenberg & Panikorchester, Amon Duul II in 1968, Pell Mell, Kraan, Hoelderlin, Atlantis (with Inga Rumpf), Conny Plank Studio with Grobschnitt, Can and really great live scenes from mid- Seventies Tangerine Dream, including Edgar Froese on the Mighty M400 Tron!!

PLACKBAND – Visions (****)
The first line-up from Plackband existed between 1977 and 1981, then they disbanded due to the usual problems like musical disputes and lack of money and interest from record companies. While other Dutch symphonic rock bands like Differences, Taurus, Ywis, Cirkel and Arkus succeeded to release a LP in thsoe days, Plackband only managed to release the single Seventy Warriors. But in the late Nineties the band members started to meet each other again, everybody was super enthousiastic and one decided to re-found Plackband. And what a contrast: during their early years Plackband released only that single and now, after their re-union, the band has released the CD The Lost Tapes (a concert from 1981) in 2000, a CD-single entitled Remember Forever in 2001, a new CD After The Battle (with some re-recodings) in 2002 and this week the eagerly awaited DVD/CD entitled Visions, how prolific in comparison with the poor early years!

The lion share of the DVD contains a concert recorded in November 2004 featuring new singer Karel Messemaker. Plackband showcases their huge potential, what a professional and inspired band! We can enjoy their wonderful mid-Genesis inspired symphonic rock sound. But Plackband was more than a copycat, at some moments they added distinctive elements like the pleasant vocal harmonies, a jazzy flavor by keyboard players Michel Van Wassem and a rocky approach by guitarist Ronald Brautigam. Especially in the long first track The Battle/After The Battle delivering a great solo on the ARP Pro Solist synthesizer, a powerful and catchy guitar riff and a fiery wah-wah solo on guitar. Drummer Tom Van Der Meulen does a decent job and the bass work by Albert De Keijzer is very flowing, he is a very underrated musician. Singer Karel Messemaker his voice is very similar to Peter Gabriel (he even has that hoarse ‘timbre’), in the covers Red Rain and Carpet Crawlers he sounds excellent! Almost 1,5 hour Plackband treats us on strong renditions of their ‘classics’ See The Dwarf and Hunchback with great Mellotron samples, fat Moog Taurus bass pedals notes, sensitive electric guitar and fluent synthesizer runs. In The Good Earth is a captivating instrumental jam in which Ronald (subtle build-up solo) and Michel (exciting pitchbend driven synthesizer soli) show their skills. Way more than Genesis, their heroes, Plackband on stage played a lot of improvisations, extended soli and sursprising musical ideas, you can witness these distinctive elements on this DVD/CD. Plackband also delivered some less known songs like Little Minds, Pillow and Blue Flashes In The Red Light District but the ‘total chemistry’ is during the final song, ‘stage favorite’ Seventy Warriors: Michel plays a flashy synthesizer solo, Ronald a very compelling guitar solo and both gentlemen deliver exciting improvised interplay, their combination of skills and pleasure reminds me of Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson from Rush, almost emotional to watch this!

The extra’s on the DVD are the tracks Visions Of Another Life (featuring the distinctive voice of Kees Bik and dia-images of the young died fan Paul Jeczek) and L’Enfant Du 92ème (with beautiful vocals from the recent singer Koos Sekrève), the docu The Making Of Visions Of A Concert and the ‘collage’ Guests that contains pictures from Plackband die-hard fans like Jan Vrolijk and Jerry Van Kooten. This set also includes a CD that contains the concert from 2004 in De Boerderij and a 16-page booklet with wonderful, often nostalgic pictures.

IN MY OPINION THIS DVD WILL APPEAL TO MANY MID-GENESIS FANS AND SYMPHONIC ROCK AFICIONADOS, WHAT A WONDERFUL DVD/CD SET FROM THE MOST OVERLOOKED DUTCH SYMPHONIC ROCK BAND!!

ANGE - Live Tour 2003-2004 Par Les Fils De Mandrin (****)
— A few years ago I attended a gig from this Ange world-tour near my hometown The Hague in Holland. It was the first time I saw them on stage, what an impressive performance and what a powerful and exciting, modern sound Ange delivered that memorable night! Their legendary frontman Christian Decamps has a great, very expressive voice and his stage antics are humorous and often dramatic. He is accompanied by female singer Caroline Crozat who often joins Christian on vocals and with his theatrical acts. The lightshow is wonderful and the band sounds outstanding: the ryhthm-section plays creative and dynamic, the keyboards by Christian his son Tristan sound varied and tasteful (moving solo spot in Le Bal Des Laze on keyboards and vocals, he's obvious a son of his father!) and guitarist Hassan Hadji does an excellent job delivering lots of fiery and distorted soli, what a killer guitarplayer this is! The track list contains early and new work: the climates on the 17 songs are very alternating, from emotional ballads or bluesy to rock and heavy bombastic. My highlights on this DVD are the jazzy flamenco guitar improvisation and the dancing from Caroline in Autour Du Feu, Caroline with a white sheet around her, accompanied by howling electric guitar and soaring strings in Atlantis - Les Géants De La Troisième Lune, a Middle Eastern inspired atmosphere with a duel between theatrical vocals from Tristan and rocking electric guitar in Quasimodo and a catchy rhythm with powerful duo-vocals and biting electric guitar in the final track Docteur Man. If you like Ange, Christian Decamps solo or adventurous progrock, this DVD is a must!

MALIBRAN - 10 anni in concerto-1988-1998
— In the early Nineties I bought the LP “A wood of tales” (from 1991) after I had read a positive review. I was delighted about the long track “A pyrimid’s street” featuring hints from Jethro Tull and an ethnic touch. Since then I follow this fine Italian band that showed a more early Marillion influence on their next albums. This DVD (running time 150 minutes) is a very comprehensive musical view on their progrock carreer spanning the period between 1988 and 1999. You can divide “Malibran 10 anni in concerto” into three parts. The first part contains live recordings from the second half of the Ninities. Remarkable is the powerful, tight and enthousiastic approach by the band, live Malibran is on its best: great shifting moods (from dreamy with flute, twanging guitars and mellow organ to a propulsive rhythm with Eastern inspired flute work) in “Pyramid’s street” and classical interplay between flute and guitar and a Ritchie Blackmore-like guitar solo (between classic and heavy metal) in “Prelude”. Most of the other live tracks delivers powerful and sensitive guitar soli from the two guitar players (mainly the splendid Jerry Litricio), some nice work on the keyboards from Benny Torrisi, a dynamic and adventurous rhythm-section (especially bass player Angelo Messina) and swirling flute play by Giancarlo Cutuli (often Thijs van Leer inspired). The second parts features Malibran on tv specials, mainly playback, on one moment the flute player starts its solo too early! The final part contains amateur live video shots, a bit bootleg but very worth to watch because it showcases the enthousisastic performances from Malibran on stage featuring the funny stage antics from the fluteplayer with his ‘air-playing’ on his flute during several guitar soli and at one moment he takes one of the guitarists on his shoulders! One of the highlights is “Le porte del silenzio” (the great titletrack from their second CD), a very compelling but short rendition in the vein of the early Marillion. You can argue about the value of the tv specials and the (bootleg) amateur shots but in my opinion this DVD is worth buying because of the first part (almost an hour) featuring the EXCITING SOUND OF MALIBRAN ON STAGE!

MEDINA AZAHARA - En Gira (Live 2000)
— This is the second DVD release by Medina Azahara, the popular 'heavy progressive' rockband from Spain. It's an official video release (1991) from a concert in 2000 and has been put on DVD in 2003. If I compare it to the other DVD entitled "En concierto" this DVD will appeal more to progheads although most songs are tasteful mainstream rock featuring strong harder-edged guitarwork (with echoes from Blackmore and Vai) and functional keyboardplay (some soli on organ and synthesizers). The rhythm-section sound very tight and propulsive, the hugh blond lead singer has a very warm and often emotional stage peformance. The lightshow is beautiful (including pyrotechnics) and the crowd reacts enthousiastic to the music, often due to singer Manuel who runs around and search for contact with the fans in the vein of David Byron and Mick Jagger but less theatrical and self-indulgent. The best moments on this DVD are the harder-edged renditions from the Triana songs "Abre la puerta" (great vocals) and "El lago" (emotional community singing), the exciting guitar/keyboard solo-duel, the wonderful ballad "Otono", the flamenco- inspired "Paseando por la mezquita" and the final track "A toda ese gente", a warm goodbey from a very tight and enthousiastic band that is still alive and kicking after 25 years! VERY DRIVEN PROG AND ROLL!!

VARIOUS ARTISTS - Un Biglietto Per L'inferno-Concerto Tributo
— This DVD is a 'tribute concert' to the legendary Italian progrock band BIGLIETTO PER L'INFERNO, this sold out concert was given in Lecco (Italy), early 2005. It was a memorable day for the Italian progrock fans that day because some line-ups featured musicians from other legendary Italian progrock bands like Rodolfo Maltese from BANCO, Tony Pagliuca from LE ORME and Patrizio Faresseli and Paolo Tofani from AREA.
The first band on this concert was Ubi Maior, they played tight and dynamic with a humorous and very energetic singer. Their keyboard sound sounded modern, only the Hammond organ took us back to the typical progrock sound of the Seventies.

Next the band Greenwall, they presented a female singer with a very distinctive voice, not always my cup of tea. Greenwall played mainly acoustic but on "Abbiamo ragione" the band members took a key-tar and a twin-neck, always nice to see those instruments!

The next two musicains (both from AREA) performed solo: first Paolo Tofani on a sitar-like acoustic guitar and then Patrizio Fariselli on the acoustic piano, both delivered a great performance.

The band Fonderia started to play "Dubbio II", when this song was finished guitar/trumpet-player Rodolfo Maltese from BANCO entered the stage, he surprised the audience with the BANCO songs like "RIP" and "Non mi rompete". Especially the flamenco inspired acoustic guitar duet is great!

Between the band Destabanda and musicians from Claudio Rocchi, keyboard player Tony Pagliuca from LE ORME joined the band Gas for two Le Orme songs entitled "Era inverno" and "Uno sguardo verso il cielo". In both songs a violin player has been added, he gives the music an even more classical touch, along the powerful Hammond organ sound.

Don't excpect on this DVD a perfect dive into the Italian progrock sound from the Seventies, just enjoy the pleasant and inspired appearances from some members from that era, they delivered a good performance so we could taste a few moments from that wonderful era! If you are an Italian Seventies aficionado, this DVD is essential. Otherwise this DVD deserves 3 stars. But it's my review so 4 stars! FORZA ITALIA!!

PONTY,JEAN-LUC-Jean-Luc Ponty In Concert
— This DVD is a registration from a concert on the Jazz Jamboree 1999 in the Polish capital Warsaw with Jean Luc Ponty on electric violin, supported by William Lecomte on keyboards, Guy Nsangué on bass, Thierry Arpino on drums and Moustapha Cissé on percussion. During the concert you will be delighted about these musicians, what an incredible skillful and creative band!
1. Rhythms of Hope (7:57) : Enjoy JL Ponty his flowing and dynamic jazzy-inspired style. The long violin solo has a great build-up and an exciting finale, supported by splendid play on the piano, drums, bass and percussion, very rhythmic!
2. Jig (8:07) : A very swinging track featuring propulsive bass work, a Latin- American percussive undertone, swirling violinplay and an outstanding piano solo, virtuosic and varied (from jazz to Caribbean).
3. No Absolute Time (10:38) : This long composition is mainly based upon strong soli from violin and piano, the atmosphere is mellow.
4. Pastoral Harmony (8:25) : First a dreamy climate with sensitive violin and tender piano, then the piano culminates into swinging. The violin solo is very intense with those typical fast runs from monsieur Ponty.
5. Caracas (8:36) : The intro contains a swinging and pleasant bass and percussion, then a cheerful sounding violin. Halfway an exciting percussion solo on conga’s and bongo’s which goes into a duet with the drummer, the big smiling faces reveal the pleasure from the musicians, including JL Ponty himself!
6. Memories of California (5:41) : This is an electronic inspired piece delivering synthesizer sounds from Ponty his electric violin and soaring keyboards. Halfway a wonderful, very sensitive violin solo with a classical undertone.
7. Mouna Bowa (8:59) : A catchy rhythm and swinging violin work, then a strong and enthousiastic bass solo, supported by South-American-oriented piano play. Again lots of joy on stage, goose bumps from me while watching this!
8. Enigmatic Ocean, Pt. 2 (7:16) : A splendid rendition from one of his best compositions featuring swirling and dynamic violin work, including an exciting duel between the piano and violin. The rhythm- section is great delivering a short but propulsive drum solo.
9. Open Mind (5:14)1 Rhythms of Hope (7:57) : The final song contains a catchy rhythm with swinging piano and magnificent interplay between all the musicians, a perfect grand finale!

IF YOU ARE UP TO JAZZY/FUSION/JAZZROCK INSPIRED PROG, THIS EXCELLENT DVD IS YOURS!!

ROXY MUSIC Musikladen / BeatClub: Live 74-75 (DVD)
- This stunning DVD ( recordings from the famous German rock shows Musikladen and Beatclub) showcases a band that looked like glamrockers but for sure their sound was progressive rock in that era. The focal point was the handsome and versatile (vocals, keyboards, mouth-organ) singer Bryan Ferry but some members were mighty close like a spacey dressed Brian Eno (great to see him on that odd Synthi-A synthesizer during “Virginia plain”), the underrated guitarplayer Phil Manzanera (loads of powerful and moving soli) and the androgyn young genius Eddie Jobson (monumental duel on his transparant violin with bassplayer John Wetton on “Out of the blue”). And don’t forget Andrew MacKay (strong and distinctive work on the sax and oboe) and a magnificent rhythm-section featuring the very dynamic drummer Paul Thompson. Roxy Music plays most of their best material, enjoy splendid renditions from “Do the strand”, “Remake re- model”, “Mother of pearl” and my highlight, the classic composition “Out of the blue”. Either you call it progrock or art-rock, this music is a unique experience for progheads, despite their later commercial crap.

STRAWBS Strawbs Live In Tokyo '75 / Grave New World The Movie
— In the Seventies The STRAWBS were an interesting progressive band. Their music was a blend of folk, rock and symphonic (in the vein of THE MOODY BLUES and BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST), topped by the distinctive vocals from Dave Cousins. Rick WAKEMAN was in the early line-up but he had a minor role. After he left to join YES the band, how ironically, blossemed and made some captivating progrock albums. The driving force behind the band was (and is, recently they re-united and even made a live-DVD) singer/guitarist Dave Cousins, a kind of progrock answer to DONOVAN or Bob DYLAN. This DVD showcases their unique progrock in their artistic and commercial heyday (the albums “Hero and Heroine” and “Ghosts” sold well). The first part of this DVD is a concert in Tokyo from 1975 (running time 40 minutes). It shows an inspired band that plays songs like “Lemon Pie”, “You and I, when we were young”, “New World”, “Hero and Heroine”, “Just Love” (straight rock with fiery guitarwork from Dave Lambert) and the highlight “Down By The Sea” (compelling twanging electric and majestic choir-Mellotron waves). The bass player was Chas Cronk, later he joined The STEVE HACKETT BAND.

The second part includes the movie “Grave New World” (from 1972, almost 30 minutes), featuring the songs from that album, all visually embellished by a ‘video-clip’. The result ranges from impressive (the gospel-like “Benedictus” and the bombastic “Tomorrow”) to funny (“The Flower And The Young Man” and “Ah Me, Ah My”). I my opinion this movie has an undertone of typical British humor, not everybody’s cup of tea! The last part is a special bonus (10 minutes): Rick WAKEMAN’s television debut in the song “Til The Sun Comes Shining Through” (he already shows his sparkling piano-play), an interview with Dave Cousins on a lifeboat and a preview from the album “Wakeman and Cousins” with the song “The Young Pretender” (wonderful violinplay).

A good and comprehensive DVD that shows THE STRAWBS at their best.

LOS JAIVAS Alturas de Macchu Picchu
— Have you ever seen a Minimoog that conquered Peru? Did you ever witness a progrock band on a height of 6000 kilometers? Well, watch this video featuring the splendid and very unique blend of folk, rock, classic and symphonic that Los Jaivas made on their album "Alturas the Macchu Picchu"! I have nothing to add to the other two reviews on this site so, I can only say: DISCOVER THIS BAND THAT MIXES SKILLS AND EMOTIONS IN A SUPERIOR WAY!! By the way, did National Geographic sponsored this DVD?

BANCO-Cio’Che Si ede E
- This is a concert from a Banco-reunion tour in ’92, the line-up includes four original members. The crowd is very enthousiastic, now wonder because Banco plays an inspired set, featuring lots of ‘classics’. This DVD is not a pure concert because at some moments black-and-white images are shown (from nature to short early Seventies live footage). On one hand hand this creates a special atmosphere, on the other hand it’s sometimes a bit disturbing. The first track “Il Volo” contains black-and-white images from the soundcheck. Then, in color, we can enjoy the song “R.I.P.”, singer Francesco Di Giacomo still has an impressive, very warm voice and the crowd goes wild. The second part evokes goose bumps when Francesco sings a bit melancholic, supported by compelling piano. The next composition “L’Evoluzione” starts with sumptuous keyboards, followed by a swinging rhythm, delivering swirling keyboards in the vein of KEITH EMERSON (“Works-era”). “Moby Dick” is a ultra-sweet ballad from the later, more commercial period. The long and alternating track “Il Giardino Del Mago” includes virtuosic interplay, vocal harmonies, a wonderful intermezzo with classical piano and often KEITH EMERSON-like keyboards, amazing! Next is “750.00 Anni Fa ... L’Amore, a captivating composition featuring sparkling keyboards, a warm piece with warm vocals and piano, again goose bumps. The final song is the catchy “Non Mi Rompete”, it contains virtuosic interplay, this time with acoustic guitar and electric piano. In the end all kinds of figures from the famous Venetian carnaval enters the stage, what a splendid and spectacular conclusion from a magnificent performance by these skillful veterans from Banco. A monumental DVD!!

TRIANA-SE DE UN LUGAR (2CD/1 DVD-double-fold-out-digipack version)
- This is the best progrock you can get from Spain ! Triana was the most pivotal band that blended symphonic rock and flamenco, the ethnic music from the Andalusian gypsies. Their first album “El Patio” is a classic, the second is good but from the third the albums gradually sounded less symphonic and more as polished rock. Nonetheless the Spanish people loved their music and Triana became the most popular rockband in the Spanish rock history, they often played for massive crowds and most their albums got the platinum status! Unfortunately in ‘83 band member Jesus De La Rosa died in a car accident and Triana was no longer. They released a lot of compilation albums, this one contains two discs with 24 tracks (many from their best three albums) and for the first time a DVD. That DVD is a 55 minute documentary with footage from several TV music programs like Mundo Pop, Ahora, Popgrama (beautiful scene in a Morish palace) and Aplauso (from ’74 until ’81). Most of the 13 songs are interrupted by commentary from the band members, people who worked with Triana and who are influenced by Triana, like a musician from Ketama, the known ‘new flamenco movement’. This DVD (13 songs, most are long excerps) gives a good impression from the innovative and exciting sound from Triana: propulsive flamenco solo – and rhythm guitar, howling electric guitar (great double-neck guitar), warm string-ensemble, distinctive Fender Rhodes piano, slow Moog synthesizer runs, lots of Banks-like organ play and great Andalusian vocals (expressive and a bit wailing). Some songs from the later period sound a bit polished (like “Corre”) but in general this DVD shows a stunning and very talented band that delivers music that has a perfect balance between emotions and skills and electric – and acoustic music. If you are up to discover the wonderful world of flamenco this historical document is a splendid Christmas gift. Feliz Navidad y un prospero ano nuevo para todos los aficionados de Triana, el grupo numero uno!

PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI (PFM)-Live In Japan 2002
— This is a real treat, what an amazing music from Italian progrock legend PFM, featuring three original members. Some hair was lost or has become grey but the band sounds very inspired and so virtuosic! PFM plays 25 songs including strong and exciting renditions from ‘classics’ like La Carozza Di Hans”, Photos Of Ghosts”, “Dove .. Quando”, “Il Banchetto”, “Mr 9 Till 5”, “E Festa” (aka “Celebration”) and “La Luna Nuova” (aka “Four Holes In The Ground”). Lots of outstanding soli on piano, acoustic – and electric guitar, keyboards and violin (special guest Lucio Fabbri). Some tracks from the later, more commercial era sound a bit polished but in general this DVD delivers outstanding progrock (the Japanese fans go wild, what a perfect atmosphere) from the best Italian progrock band ever. GREAT!

PFM+PAGANI-PIAZZA DEL CAMPO (CD/DVD)
- Here’s another, even more exciting and captivating DVD (also including a CD) from PFM after their DVD entitled “Live in Japan 2002”. It’s from a concert in the beautiful Italian city Sienna so PFM played a homegame, you can feel it in the air, what a enthousiastic atmosphere on stage and what a warm interaction with the crowd (many 40+ fans!). On the DVD “Live in Japan 2002” PFM played almost in the original line-up and in Siena former violinplayer Mauro Pagani joined the band on stage, along other guest musicians Piero Pelu (vocals), Lucio Fabbri (violin, keyboards, rhythm-guitar), Roberto Gualdi (drums) and some classical musicians. After the short opener “Rain birth” PFM showcases their class with the composition “River of life”: a wonderful harmony of classical guitar, flute and piano, followed by sparkling and dynamic interplay by piano, flute, electric guitar, Minimoog and violin. What a lush and captivating sound and what a warm performance, these veterans love to play progrock, it comes straight from their hearts! The rest of the concert is a succession of ‘classics’: a splendid violin solo, accompanied by a propulsive rhythm-section in “Photos of ghosts”, exciting interplay from flute and electric guitar and lots of changing climates in “La carrozza di Hans”, fat Minimoog runs and cheerful violin in “Fourholes in the ground”, stunning interplay from sparkling piano, harder-edged guitar en sweeping drums in “Mr. 9 till 5” and the catchy rhythm from “Celebration” featuring the known Minimoog flights, flute and violin, everybody is cheering, clapping and dancing! The long live improvisation “Siena rock jam” delivers lots of soli (from a ‘western’ violin and sensational Minimoog with pitchbend to a short Blackmore/Gillan variation). Also worth mentioning is the duo-violin performance resulting in “Rossini’s William Tell Ouverture”, an excellent encounter from classical – and progressive rock music, very appreciated by the fans. The DVD contains 15 tracks and the CD 12 (slightly different) so you can enjoy this outstanding Italian progrock legend both on CD and DVD. HIGHLY RECOMENDED!

OSANNA LIVE-Osanna Live – Uomini e miti (CD + DVD)
- Osanna was one of those many captivating Italian progrock bands from the Seventies. They made some fine albums, perhaps “Palepoli” is their most acclaimed one. In the autumn of 2001 Osanna gave a reunion concert and the band even decided to make new songs. Two years later Osanna performed live in Napoli with contributions by members from other Italian progrock legends from the Seventies. This is all put on a CD and a DVD, beatifully packaged in a double fold out cover entitled “Osanna Live – Uomini e miti”.
The CD delivers a bit more polished and groovy sound than the more raw and agressive sound in the Seventies. But the performance from all the musicians is outstanding, these veterans love to play their music and they are so talented and experienced! Osanna plays material from their Seventies albums like “Ce vulesse – ce vulesse” (exciting ethnic sounding clarinet), “There will be time” (wonderful piano and warm vocals), “Mirror train” (propulsive guitar riffs, powerful clarinet and organ and strong vocals) and an abridged version from “Oro caldo” (swinging bass intro, catchy rhythm and great work on clarinet, fiery electric guitar and vocals). If you like the early Osanna I’m sure you will not be disappointed by this reunion band concert (featuring three members from the Seventies line-ups). The four studio tracks sound pleasant and varied with strong guitar, saxophone and clarinet but I wonder how many fans from the early Osanna will be pleased by this quite modern and more polished Osanna.
The DVD is very worth to check out, especially because of the contributions by members from Area, Il Balletto Di Bronzo, Area and Banco. The concert (12 songs) is recorded December 2nd 2003 in a theater in Napoli, the (in)famous city in the poor southern part of Italy. Osanna plays powerful and inspired, most of their songs can also be traced on the aforementioned CD. Very interesting are the tracks by the Italian progrock legends like Vittorio De Scalzi from New Trolls with “Signore, io sono Irish” (tender piano and expressive vocals) and “Ti ricordi Joe?” (strong acoustic rhythm guitar), Francesco Di Giacomo and Rodolfo Maltese from Banco with “R.I.P.” (very compelling ‘unplugged’ version with splendid work on a blue Ovation guitar and great moving vocals, goose bumps halfway!), Patrizio Fariselli from Area with “Luglio, agusto, settembre (Nero)” (sparkling piano and guitar with talkbox, it sounds a bit experimental) and Gianni Leone from Il Balletto Di Bronzo with “Love in the kitchen” (very distinctive with bombastic keyboards, classical orchestrations and theatrical vocals). The final 13th song entitled “Everybody’s gonna see you die” is recorded on a festival in 2003 and features Osanna with again Gianni Leone, it sounds swinging and it rocks featuring clarinet, saxophone and heavy electric guitar riffs.

EARTH & FIRE Greatest Hits - Clips, Interviews And TV-Specials
— This DVD features their 20 'greatest hits' as tv clips and an interview and live footage from the German television. The tv clips can be divided into three parts. The first part contains the rock/Sixties oriented sound: the clips “Seasons”, “Ruby is the one”, “Wild and exciting” and “Invitation” show windmills, typical Dutch landscapes (pine tree forests, dunes, sea) and a gorgeous, very sexy female singer Jerney Kaagman. The second part features the wonderful symphonic rock-era, based upon melodic and often moving compositions with wonderful violin- Mellotron work, sensitive electric guitar and warm vocals: “Storm and thunder” (what a splendid Mellotron sound!), “Memories” (on the German television), “Maybe tormorrow, maybe tonight” (on the most famous Dutch pop programm Toppop) and “Love of life”. The final part delivers the commercial period: Earth & Fire sounded very smooth with a blend of rock, pop and disco, very professional but to me awful! Most of the clips features ex-Focus bass player Bert Ruiter, he is living with Jerney for more than 20 years. And on “French word for love” ex-Kayak and Camel keyboardplayer Ton Scherpenzeel can be seen.

The most interesting part of this DVD is on The Extra’s/Bonus material (at about 25 minutes) that contains an interview (in German) with Jerney Kaagman and outstanding live footage from an inspired early Earth & Fire on the German television (Swing In and Musikladen): an excerpt from “Song of the marching children”, an extended version of “Storm and thunder” (including a compelling solo on the Mellotron) and “Maybe tomorrow, maybe tonight” (great interplay between guitar and keyboards from the twin- brothers Gerard and Chris Koerts). For me it was an emotional experience to look at these wonderful live scenes from this great Dutch symphonic rock band, EXCELLENT!

THIS IS ESSENTIAL DUTCH PROGROCK, NOW ON DVD!!