Avtor: Peter Podbrežnik
Izvajalec: Spock's Beard
Založba: Provogue Records
Izid: 2012
Trajanje: 1:57:58
Ocena: 4/5
American prog rock revivalists Spock’s Beard have been through quite a few turbulent moments lately, led by the relatively unexpected departure of drummer/singer/occasional guitarist Nick D’Virgilio at the end of 2011. His vocal and drumming duties have since been covered by Ted Leonard (Enchant) and longtime touring drummer Jimmy Keegan, with whom they’ll also record the upcoming studio album. »The X Tour – Live«, D’Virgilio’s farewell album as a member of these now-cult prog rock heavyweights, is a live document recorded during the Spock’s Beard tour of 2011, when they were promoting the excellent studio album »X« (2010).
»The X Tour – Live« is, like most double live albums of its kind, really only for those who have already heard all their studio releases, since this isn’t a typical collection of long-time classics. Spock’s Beard play almost the entire album »X« live, minus the song »Their Names Escape Me«, and then close with the beloved classics »On A Perfect Day«, »Thoughts«, »The Doorway« and »June«. Once again there’s no shortage of the drum duel between D’Virigilio and Keegan, which has been one of the highlights of their live shows in recent years, though it loses some of its appeal without the visuals, and a solo spot from keyboard wizard Ryo Okumoto, wild-eyed and slick as ever, which is likewise one of the main live attractions of the ‘Spockbeards’.
All the performances on this double live document, recorded at a show in Downey (California) right before the start of the European tour, stay as faithful to the studio originals as possible, with minimal improvisation. The live atmosphere and audience participation are convincing throughout. As expected, the latter peaks on the closing classic »June«, where the devoted fans actively sing along, while among the four Spock’s Beard evergreens, the standouts in quality and conviction are the excellent versions of »The Dooryway« and »Thoughts« from »Beware Of Darkness« (1996), the latter with a very well-executed run through its demanding vocal multi-harmonies. Plenty of fans will miss a bigger helping of long-time classics on the recording, but Spock’s Beard have long been known for favoring new material on every tour.
»The X Tour – Live« is a quality live album and a fitting farewell to Nick D’Virigilio, captured at the moment when the Spock’s Beard lineup under his vocal leadership, riding high on the masterpiece »X«, was at its creative peak and seemed unstoppable. Long-time fans will enjoy reliving the great performances of the bulk of the »X« material and the favorite classics. Credit is due to Spock’s Beard for putting out a new live album after every tour, even though the quality varies quite a bit (especially on the rather poorly produced »Live at High Voltage Festival«, 2011). In the near future, when the new studio album comes out, it’ll be interesting to hear whether the ‘Spockbeards’ can pull off a successful sonic revival at this third major turning point, a change of lead singer.
Zasedba
Nick D’Virgilio – vokal, bobni, kitara
Dave Meros – bas kitara
Alan Morse – kitara
Ryo Okumoto – klaviature
Jimmy Keegan – koncertni bobni
Produkcija
Spock’s Beard
Seznam skladb
CD1
1. Edge of the In-Between (10:51)
2. The Emperor’s Clothes (06:16)
3. From The Darkness (17:06)
4. The Quiet House (09:05)
5. The Man Behind The Curtain (08:13)
6. Kamikaze (06:49)
7. Jaws of Heaven (17:13)
CD2
1. Drum Duel (04:25)
2. On a Perfect Day (07:39)
3. Thoughts (07:32)
4. Ryo’s Solo (05:21)
5. The Doorway (10:50)
6. June (06:41)
