The 5.1 and DTS sound on the DVD is arguably a more engaging listening experience than the studio version as most of the material is written for crowd participation. When the crowd exuberantly sings the refrain `La, la, la, la,` that excitement that this is more than just a concert is sensed each time you watch. New York (where this was filmed) is singing for the great King. There are a number of times where this occurs and you are drawn into that experience either singing along with the lyric subtitles (chords included!) or just being undone as you cry out with the violin interlude of `You are my joy'.
This is a perfect hits package of most of the DCB's music. Music that repeats phrases followed by lyrics that too are deliberately repetitive but always for effect with a delightful twist that is poetic in style (unlike the repetition of a 90s church chorus not knowing where to end!)
What great value to have the experience of seeing DCB play live in your living room and then to take the CD with you for car play. Having seen this band live at the Parachute Festival (January '09 New Zealand) I was hungry for more. This package was just what I needed. If you have woken up a little late to this fresh wave of raw worship that is shouted out with Texan artistic flair - get this DVD and laugh with David and his honest, endearing and unbelievably melodic ways.
I
have always had a weakness for powerful rock and fusion concerts - I'm talking everything from Dream Theater, Tribal Tech to Chick Corea and Mike Stern. Big bands have never really featured as my favourite cup of tea. Yes, I have a few big band albums but generally wouldn't go out of my way to purchase new albums. This hopefully puts into context my next statement: "Some Skunk Funk" Live at Leverkusener Jazztage is the best live DVD I have in my 50 plus DVD concert collection. I know why I play this DVD again and again. The musicianship is outstanding, the compositions stirring and exciting, the recording brilliant - both visuals and audio.
Wow, this is better than what I'd ever have imagined. This kicks serious DTS system butt. Play this loudly and experience the glory of a big band in full flight. The all enveloping sound of the WDR Big Band (Cologne - Germany) conducted by Vince Mendoza has a world class reputation but when combined with the legends, Randy and Michael Brecker - then you know you are in for a joyous ride.
This concert won the Grammy Award 2007 for Best Large Jazz ensemble album and Best Instrumental solo. The concert was an 11 November 2003 celebration for Randy Brecker's music (although he uses mainly compositions from the Brecker Brothers songbook both early and reunion years). Randy has longtime friends Will Lee on bass, Jim Beard on piano and Peter Erskine on drums.
At first I was disappointed that dear brother Michael didn't play on every track - but this allows for an anticipation when he does join in. I must admit that I still get emotional when I see the brothers play with such synchronicity. Michael's passing has left a huge vaccuum so to hear him here playing at the peak of his career ripping into "Some Skunk Funk" and the finale "Song for Barry" is breath taking. I can only hope that there are still other stellar recordings of Michael playing live that are still to be released. If not, then this is also an historic recording.
There is so much to like about this DVD. The film editing is superb as the camera pans perfectly to catch an Erskine fill, or to see Mr Long thumb Lee popping and jumping on bass. These guys were sure energetic and enthusiastic that night! Randy commands on trumpet and grows stronger as the night progresses. I loved his exploratory solos that showed an edginess inspite of the pressure of the occasion. He humbly allows his brother to join in the limelight and the result is an incredible perfomance that finishes much too soon (70 precious minutes of sublime concert power).
My highest recommendation.
"
Two for the Show" remastered is now the definitive Kansas album to get. Yes, it's live but this is the essence of the band. Six great musicians who were so much more together live on stage. What passion, musicality, power and emotion. This has everything from the hits like "Dust in the wind" and "Carry on wayward son" to progressive epics that show what six people interchanging from double keyboards to double guitar attack with soaring violin and harmony vocals can do. Their emotional epics are more melodically classical than any of their European prog counterparts of that time, and they certainly knew how to rock harder.
In 1978 this was an outstanding live record and 30 plus years later it not only has stood the test of time but is MUCH better. This edition has another 11 live remastered tracks added on a second CD. These are no fillers - these are phenomenal tracks that I can't believe were excluded initially.
Have a look at my customer image that shows the inner sleeve of the new cool digipak plus a picture from the great booklet. This is no rerelease just to increase income - no, this is part of their legacy, an extended creative effort that offers so much more than the double LP and single CD version of the 90s.
Wow, the 11 new tracks - a whole added album of 75 minutes. These tracks seem to breathe more than the first CD. By that I mean there seems more spacious musical introductions and exploration. Clearly this is why they couldn't be included initially on an already double LP record.
The opening track of the 'new' material, "Hopelessly human" contains all the elements that instantly let you know this is the mighty Kansas in full flight. Long orchestrations of interwoven musical motifs and changing tempos - from ballad gentle vocals over piano to full pipe organ, monstrous drum fills with melodic lead guitar all finally culminating with anthem like bells. This is hair raising stuff!
The fresh stereo mix makes it easy to hear how wonderfully Rich Williams and Kerry interwined their guitar leads as well as showing the contrasting keyboard sounds from pipe organ to piano of Walsh and Livgren. Listen to the crunch surprise opening start of "Child of innocence" - makes ZZ Top seem tame. Indeed this track is a wonderful example of displaying the strengths of this band as the dual vocals of Steinhardt and Steve Walsh create the tight harmony which includes a falsetto harmony from Walsh,I think, that I've never heard before.
There are many other outstanding tracks including, "Closet Chronicles" and "Miracles out of nowhere". Indeed there is not one filler track here. I bought this album from Amazon last week and have been playing it ever since. (That means my other new purchases - new Dream Theater, SACD Pink Floyd Dark Side of the moon and Yellowjackets have been ejected for a while)
This double live CD will take you on an exciting journey through their first and greatest five albums with more passion and interaction than the studio versions. For faithful Kansas rockers I trust you purchased this long ago, unlike me. If not don't hesitate.
