SPIRIT OF LIVE

At this moment of reviewing this album has received 9 ratings and no reviews yet. And I have to say, this is not an easy one to review for me as well. First I have to say I'm a huge Vandenplas fan at least where their studio efforts are concerned.

And there actually lies my problem with Vandenplas, with this live-issue. A few years ago I had the chance to see them live myself when they visited Holland in a combined concert with Riverside. In fact I went for Riverside back then who opened the evening gig. But it became all very late and because I had to catch the last train I missed out on Vandenplas. I was really hurt but this pain has decreased after hearing this live album. Not that there is anything wrong with the musical performance, on the contrary. For instance Stephan Lill is indeed the guitar hero I always saw in him and also the other bandmembers perform excellently. The only thing I have a problem with is the entertaining (not the vocal !) performance of Andy Kuntz. To explain this I have to start with the statement that I like a bit of modesty on the stage. A down to earth and sympathetic connection with the audience of mostly the singer of a band is what I very much appreciate (like Roine Stolt or Nick Barrett for instance). And that's exactly not what mr.Kuntz is doing on this album. All he can come up with is over the top shouting out and showing off his great skills of the various languages (English and French (the gig was in Paris), because you have to know many Germans don't really control these languages). Apparently Andy Kuntz is so proud of this that he really wants everybody to know. Well, I'm sorry but I don't like that attitude and I regret to admit that the man hasn't increased his distinction for my personal taste. Because that is at the same time something you have to realize, it's just my personal feeling about this, any other person might feel very different about this and experience it all as great entertainment !

Besides above stated this is a more than excellent performance by Vandenplas on this live album, maybe even worthy of the 5 stars but I feel I have to subtract at least half a star because of my complaint for this is really a disturbing element when I play this CD. Highlight is the excellent Into the Night played in the beginning and getting the audience in the right mood. And the rest is hardly any less. Shame about the almost narcissist tendencies of Andy Kuntz on several moments (especially when he goes French) ruining the thing slightly for me. But I can go no lower than 4 stars because this band is simply too good !