Today it has finally arrived, the KaLIVEoscope Bluray. Before now, strictly speaking, about half a year on March 9, 2014, we had mixed feelings on the Transatlantic concert in Cologne but more on that later. But we were the last days but then full of anticipation, since it is rarely the case that exactly attended concert on video is available. First, it should be noted that all positive and negative impressions that we had in mind from the concert, also similarly found on the Bluray again.
First Impressions
Direct to the start of the Bluray we noticed what was missing: in Cologne had Transatlantic can announce through a relatively long extremely kaleidoscope-like intro, matching the title of her album and tour. This was not well managed and advised by approximately 10 minutes running time extremely long. This not only saw it this way: it was restless, individual viewers began between call and also to whistle. The intro did not make it to the Bluray is not a pity.
Unfortunately, the first impression is of what is on the Bluray, then not much better: This is obviously a low-budget production, which, although used many camera angles, but almost always in poor quality, of composition, camera work and picture quality almost reminiscent of a bootleg. But if the listener closes his eyes, all is forgetting: the sound is very good and Transatlantic are also live just great musicians! The bad image directs uncomfortable on the actually essential music. In other words, as a live CD, the whole is very professional and terrific (there is about 45 euros a bit expensive though). In the Limited Deluxe Edition Box offers fittingly next to the Bluray (besides making out as a double-DVD), a set of three CDs, but these are recordings from Tilburg, not Cologne.
What's good: the music!
As might be expected, the music itself is extremely convincing: Roine Stolt (guitar, Flower Kings), Pete Trewavas (bass, Marillion), Neal Morse (keyboards, ex-Spock's Beard, Flying Colors) and Mike Portnoy (drums, ex -Dream theater, ex-Adrenaline Mob, Flying Colors, Winery Dogs) can convince not only as individual musicians, but also as a band. As a stroke of good fortune also proves Ted Leonard (Spock's Beard, Enchant) that stands out the band at any time on guitar, keyboard, percussion and excellent assisted vocally and We All Need Some Light shining.
However, notice that Neal looks a bit hoarse with his vocals. Overall, the whole band seemed a little tired, but also to be tense. This looks here and there a little stiff; the only one who tried to interact with the audience, Mike Portnoy is. But the audience kept his very gradually encourage visitors to join.
The Extras
On the Bluray (and second DVD), there are also a few extras, such as documentation and individual recordings of songs that were played in Tilburg, but not in Cologne. These are, for example, cover versions from Nights in White Satin (The Moody Blues), and Hocus Pocus and Sylvia from the Dutch group Focus. In the latter two titles Thijs van Leer appeared as a guest musician. Overall, the Tilburg-images seem more relaxed and with more enthusiasm, as we would have liked in Cologne.
The whole thing comes in a very high quality box with two CD-slipcases that stylistically well sits alongside the Whirld Wind 2010.
