Customer Rating: 
Summary: It's a good album
Comment: I enjoyed the studio version alot - probably the best christian album I have heard in the last few years. This album shows Neil & Co. bringing it to life on stage and they do an excellent job. someone complained on amazon about it being too preachy at places but I really haven't that at all on the album. Too bad he'll be overlooked at any music awards you see on TV.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Great Band, but Live Rock Can Fall Short
Comment: I see that other reviewers think that this CD is 5-Star excellent, but I enjoy the studio recording more. The band is great, even without Mike Portnoy (Although I feel sorry for any rock drummer who has to fill his shoes). The drawback is that the production is not as crisp as the studio versions of the songs. The sound is a bit boomy. Also, Neal's vocals are (like most rock vocalists) not as precise or in tune when live as in the studio. Because things are so loud onstage, rock vocalists (Neil included) often push too hard and sound out of breath. It is not a bad CD. The band executes the material very well and the compositions are marvelous, but rock recordings just sound better in the studio; and live rock is best when you are there and can feel the chemistry.
Customer Rating:
Summary: This is a great performance
Comment: If you like Neal Morse and are wondering if this is as good as Testimony Live, it is. A great band gives a great performance. If you like the original albums you'll like this too. Highly Recommended.
Customer Rating:
Summary: amazing music and lyrics
Comment: realmente es increÃble cómo estos "desconocidos alemanes" acompañan a Neal Morse tal como si fueran Mike Portnoy y Randy George... o hasta mejor!!!! Los solos de guitarra son más potentes que en el álbum "?" de estudio, y el segundo CD tiene versiones geniales en vivo del álbum "ONE", lástima que no lo grabaron completo en vivo....!!!! Definitivamente Neal Morse es un genio, y lo más espectacular no sólo es su talento musical sino la profundidad espiritual de sus letras... lo recomiendo 100%
Customer Rating:
Summary: Excellent music, disappointing preaching
Comment: For anyone not wishing to wade through my whole review: Music 5 stars, preaching/testimony 0 stars - hence overall I give it 3.
I knew to expect that this live CD would contain an element of Neal Morse's testimony to his faith. I was prepared to accept that, after all, I've thoroughly enjyed his post-Spock's Beard work even though it is entirely devoted to Christian themes. So what did we actually get?
Well, we got a lot of great music - undoubtedly Morse and his band (a group of very talented Dutch musicians to be sure) produce some excellent, let's call it brilliant, music. I love the music. There is nothing to complain of on the music front, and much to be pleased with. The production and sound are great. Those who are familiar with Morse's music will find much to enjoy on this score, including the inclusion of the track "King Jesus" that failed previously to make it onto CD.
However, I found that the preaching, the discussion of Neal's family etc. rather intruded on the music and, well, I'd have preferred it had been cut back a lot. I usually enjoy hearing an artist give an insight into his/her music and life generally but the rather extended testimony sections (no pun intended), for me anyway, get in the way of the music. I'm sure those who are committed Christians will find this very inspirational, but I'm not a believer and so it is just annoying for me. I contrast this with the outstanding "Testimony" DVD - there was some preaching/testimony on that as well, but it was to a lesser degree and did not have the same level of distraction for me - I could happily accept it as part of the show.
Others may be able to ignor (or enjoy) the preaching/testimony on this CD, but for me they detracted from what is otherwise a brilliant exposition of both composition and musicianship. Apart from the "chat" I'd have happily given this a full 5 stars for the music.
|
