RHEINGOLD - LIVE AT THE LORELEY

For many this is a dream matchup with Klaus Schulze teaming up with DEAD CAN DANCE vocalist Lisa Gerrard.This was recorded at the Night Of Prog Festival at Loreley in July of 2008. We get over 131 minutes of music over two discs. And there is a DVD of this recording as well.

"Alberich" has such a cool and powerful intro then it settles in around 2 minutes as the crowd roars their approval. A spacey atmosphere takes over. Some deep sounds come in that vibrate my speakers before 11 1/2 minutes. Sequencer sounds join in and it's fuller before 15 minutes. Spacey sounds again join in at 22 1/2 minutes and the crowd starts to cheer as the song winds down. "Loreley" is almost 40 minutes long. Spacey sounds wash in and out and we get vocals 4 1/2 minutes in. It settles 7 1/2 minutes in as spacey winds and vocal melodies arrive. Check out the sound just before 12 1/2 minutes. Sequencers start to become prominant and Lisa is back 15 1/2 minutes in and she's incredible. An electronic beat leads 18 minutes in then Lisa rejoins.This is great ! Loud synths sounds 24 minutes in.The beat stops before 27 minutes then vocals become the focus the rest of the way. Not a fan of these last 10 minutes or so because it's like Klaus has gone for a bathroom break and we get Lisa singing solo. This also happens on disc two with the song "Wellgunde" only it's really for the whole 14 1/2 minutes. Again i'm not enjoying this.

The opening track though of disc two is a different story."Wetan" has these deep atmospheric sounds that sound really unique to me and powerful. It settles down then sequencers lead the way until 9 minutes in where we get some banging and crashing to end it. "Nothing" has these pulsating synths that take the lead quickly and continue throughout.The bonus track is pretty good but it's 31 1/2 minutes long.

Tough for me to give this 4 stars. If I could make one disc of my favourite tracks then it would easily be 4 stars, but this over 131 minutes is what i'm judging so 3 stars it is.