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| Mostly Autumn - At Grand Opera House |
 Released: 2004 Label: Classic Rock Legends Ltd Cat. No.: CRL1515PAL Total Time: 110:00 | |
Reviewed by: John "BoBo" Bollenberg, September 2004 When I spoke to Bryan Josh years ago, when the band was still signed to Cyclops, Bryan told me his biggest wish was to have the band perform with loads of visual extras. He envisaged the band standing on stage with a backdrop filled with pictures of nature and even a real tree in the middle of the stage. With this live recording, shot at the Grand Opera House in York, the band not only played in front of family and friends, which most certainly put some extra tension on things, but they performed exactly like Bryan saw it all those years ago: music and visuals. This time, however, no tree on stage, but sure enough some bits and pieces to make things extra special, extra interesting. Add to that the inclusion of a choir, plus a classical ensemble, and to top it all Troy Donockley from Iona as guest and you know that this is luckily not the umpteenth DVD recording of yet another Mostly Autumn show. From the first seconds of "Caught In A Fold," you can clearly see that this band has grown in terms of professionalism. Although this is a concert in front of family and friends in their hometown York, I can’t detect any nerves at all (although they probably were there!), with one song fluidly following the other. I’m convinced it’s the comradery within the band that makes sure that they all help each other out in order to stand strong as a team, as Mostly Autumn. With a growing number of original compositions, the band also has an evergrowing choice of songs to select from to make the perfect setlist. This recording also contains a very well-balanced sound, as their use of acoustic instruments at times doesn’t make it easy to record every single instrument in detail. On this DVD, however, it works a treat both where sound and visuals are concerned. That balance remains important, especially when the band works together with a string quartet, as happens during "Goodbye Alone." Here pictures of the actual concert are interspersed with black and white images recorded during rehearsals. A valuable asset within the band is the fact that several of its members write songs, resulting in a wider variety of material that nevertheless all contain that Mostly Autumn trademark. Part of that trademark certainly has to be the strong Gilmour-like guitar style as mastered by Bryan Josh, such as during the powerful Iain Jennings penned "Distant Train." Images of thick clouds blend ever so nicely with the orchestral intro for "The Gap Is Too Wide." The song builds and builds, as towards the end a huge choir steps in, which, together with the string quartet and Iain’s church organ, forms the ideal company for yet another mindblowing guitar solo from Bryan Josh. Accompanied also by Troy Donockley on uilleann pipes, this song gets a well deserved standing ovation from the enthusiastic audience. Family issues are important for the band, as songs have been composed for the late father of Bryan, the late mother of Iain, and the late father of Heather. All but one were performed that memorable night in York (that’s if all the material from that concert is contained on this DVD!). With the rocking "Never The Rainbow," Heather re-emerges wearing a top hat, adding even more charm to her natural charisma. By now the atmosphere in the Grand Opera House is near boiling temperature, so what better way than to add two well-known rock classics, one being Deep Purple’s "Smoke On The Water," the other Pink Floyd’s "Comfortably Numb." No fewer than three guitarists are doing their best here: Bryan, Liam and Troy. The DVD also contains a short "behind the scenes" section in which the band explains certain ideas behind this unique show. Iain for instance explains how the only way to perform "The Gap Is Too Wide" is with a huge choir, whilst Bryan tells the public that what you see on the DVD is getting close to how he sees a Mostly Autumn concert happen, complete with visuals. As an extra, the three short films that were projected during the concert are also included here on their own. Great sound, great images, great band. Make sure you get hold of this DVD, ask friends around, turn the surround sound on, have tons of cold beer at the ready, as well as some tasty snacks and hold your very own Mostly Autumn concert in the comfort of your own home. I’m sure you’ll get out of your comfy chair and give your screen a standing ovation! More about At Grand Opera House: Track Listing: Caught In A Fold / The Dark Before The Dawn / Answer The Question / Goodbye Alone / Passengers / Distant Train / The Gap Is Too Wide / Bitterness Burnt / Never The Rainbow / Smoke On The Water / Comfortably Numb / Pass The Clock Musicians: Contact: Website: www.mostly-autumn.com Discography
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