Transatlantic - Live In America (DVD)

Year of Release: 2001
Label: Radiant Records
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 101:00:00

The number of live recordings that truly capture the excitement, dynamics, and power of a live performance are far and few between. So, it's not surprising that I'm a bit disappointed with Transatlantic's new live video. Don't get me wrong: It's a good performance and, more importantly, the only document of Transatlantic's very brief American tour. I was one of the fortunate few who got to see Transatlantic perform (Toad's Place in New Haven, CT), so I can tell you from first-hand experience that these guys put on a terrific and masterful show. Seasoned professionals all, Transatlantic positively roars live, flying through their complex material as though they've been together for 20 years.

If you buy this video (as every Spock's Beard, Flower Kings, Dream Theater, and Marillion fan must, not to mention any fan of melodic prog rock), be aware that Transatlantic is much better live than this tape depicts. In Transatlantic's defense, I'm sure that the video was hampered by a low budget, not to mention its share of technical problems, so I'm more than willing to extend the benefit of the doubt. Still, this is a review, eh? What are the problems? For one, the sound is only average, although still plenty listenable. The mix, too, isn't the best, with the lead vocal often too loud, while burying the harmony vocals. Another problem is that many of the overdubs are painfully obvious (pretty tricky the way Roine Stolt can set down his guitar while the guitar keeps playing).

Now for the good stuff. The tape starts off with the sensational, 30-minute "All Of The Above," and the band blasts through it like they've been playing it together all their lives. The other Transatlantic originals also get good to excellent performances. Another high point is the Genesis medley comprised of "Watcher of the Skies" and "Firth of Fifth," whose performance is so outstanding, if it weren't for the fact that Neal Morse is singing instead of Peter Gabriel, you'd swear you are listening to a live Genesis recording. There are a couple of low points, the lowest being the cover of "Honky Tonk Woman," which has to be the worst recording of that venerable classic ever made. (Yes, I know that they were playing it on the spot as a goof, and that it was probably a lot of fun live, but they should have done themselves -- and us -- a favor and left it off the tape. On the other hand, it's fun to see how bad the pros can be when they perform something unrehearsed.)

If you're into melodic progressive rock, you'll find this video to be essential, if for no other reason that it may be the only way you get to see this wonderful supergroup play live. (Their second album is nearing completion and will be released sometime around summer 2001. So, maybe -- just maybe -- they'll do another tour.) Personally, I think Transatlantic is one of the best things to happen to prog rock in the last 20 years, and while this video doesn't portray them at their absolute best, it's still a great way to attend the show.

This title was reissued as a "two-fer" in 2006 paired with Building The Bridge Across Forever (Radiant Records, RADVD-025)

Tracklisting:
Disc One: All Of The Above (30:47)/ Medley: Mystery Train--Magical Mystery Tour--Strawberry Fields Forever (15:32) / We All Need Some Light (6:51)
Disc Two: Honky Tonk Woman () / Medley: Watcher Of The Skies--Firth Of Fifth (10:47) / My New World (16:51) / Medley: There Is More To This World--Go The Way You Go--The Great Escape--Finally Free--She's So Heavy (19:10)

Musicians:
Roine Stolt - guitars, vocals
Mike Portnoy - drums, vocals
Pete Trewavas - bass, guitar, vocals
Neal Morse - lead vocals, keyboards, guitar

Discography:
SMPTe (2000)
Live In America (2001)
Bridge Across Forever (2001)
Bridge Across Forever - Special Edition (2001)
Morse, Neal - The Transatlantic Demos (2003)
SMPTe - The Roine Stolt Mixes (2003)
Live In Europe (2003)
The Whirlwind (2009)
Whirld Tour 2010: Live From Shepherd's Bush Empire, London (2010)
More Is Never Enough (CD/DVD) (2011)
Kaleidoscope (2014)
The Absolute Universe: The Breath Of Life (Abridged Version) (2021)
The Absolute Universe: Forevermore (Extended Version) (2021)
The Absolute Universe: The Ultimate Edition (2021)

Live In America (DVD) (2001)
Live In Europe (DVD) (2003)
Building The Bridge Across Forever/Live In America (DVD) (2006)
The Official Bootleg DVD (2010)
Whirld Tour 2010 - Live From Shepherd's Bush Empire, London (DVD) (2010)
More Is Never Enough (DVD/CD) (2011)
KaLIVEoscope (CD/DVD/BR) (2014)


Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin VA

Added: February 5th 2001
Reviewer: Clayton Walnum

Artist website: www.transatlanticweb.com
Hits: 2933
Language: english