The latest edition of Classic Rock Presents Prog features a lengthy interview and feature on Van Der Graaf Generator concentrating on the years following the bands re formation in 2004. The article also recommends the Van Der Graaf Generator DVD Live at the Paradiso which is available to order directly from the Gonzo website. There is also a double CD available of the show as well for those who also want the audio equivalent of the DVD.
Classic Rock presents Prog describes the paradiso release thus:
Captured At Amsterdam's renowned rock venue on April 14th,2007 and an early gig for the now three-piece Generator, this low-key fan-friendly CD/DVD release is a sizzling account of a band mutating into something neoteric and undeniably thrilling.
With an emphasis on new material,but also taking in career highlights like the terrifying Gog, Live At The Paradiso is a must-have for all Van der Graaf Obsessives
Buy them Here:
http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/artists/6032/Van%20Der%20Graaf%20Generator
This DVD includes a VDGG gig at the full-packed Paradiso Club in Amsterdam, where tha band has played many legendary shows in the past as well. So this is from the first tour as a trio (Hugh Banton: organ, Guy Evans: drums, Peter Hammill: vocals, guitar, piano) and at this point they were in great shape after the nine previous gigs. This concert was originally shot and recorded for internet viewing. According to Hammill, the main emphasis was in looking forward, but the track material is a combination of old, new and rediscovered. Although I have all the band’s early vinyls in my collection I have not purchased any of the recent stuff so this DVD was a pretty interesting journey into the band’s present state. The band plays very well and Hammill’s voice is as great as ever. The guys do a great job with the three of them although I would have liked to hear some saxophone as well. I do miss some of the early classics, but the set is in great balance in itself and varied enough including tracks:
ReplyDelete”Lemmings”, ”A Place to Survive”, ”Lifetime”, ”(In The) Black Room”, ”Every Bloody Emperor”, “All That Before”, “Gog”, “Meurglys III, The Songwriter’s Guild”, “The Sleepwalkers”, “Man-Erg”, “Scorched Earth”
The going gets pretty wild when needed (especially during the end section of “Gog”) and both the band and the audience seem to enjoy the ride. The DVD also includes an interesting Peter Hammill interview as a bonus, and the man wrote sleeve notes for the CD booklet as well. Since also the technical execution of the both releases are top-notch (but no 5.1. mixes or widescreen), these items are of course must-haves for all the fans of the band.
www.vandergraafgenerator.co.uk
04.01.10 by Dj Astro