LIVE IN MACEDONIA

This DVD was produced during LEB I SOL's 30th Anniversary Tour in summer 2006. It includes concert footage taken from two performances at wonderful antique theatre venues in ex Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ohrid and Bitola respectively.

The selection of compositions is excellent; a fair balance between the early fusion and later mainstream hit material, with more space provided for the former (to pure joy of devoted prog and jazz rock lovers!). The band is reunited in its original line-up with Koki Dimusevski on Yamaha keyboards, so it is very good decision to include as many tracks from first three fusion masterpiece albums (where he was the band member) as possible. It's amazing how the time passed has just re-enforced the power of these excellent musicians, so that I almost recall myself being at one of their concerts in early 1980s when they were amongst the top 5 Yugoslavian rock attractions. To disgust of mine and of my fellow townsmen's, LEB I SOL concert was cancelled in Sarajevo after several unsuccessful attempts this year, thanks to the unprofessional and disastrous management, so this DVD presents a sort of condolences for the ones eager for artistically minded music.

Stefanovski plays his guitar better than ever, making her cry and weep like a baby or a monster alike. Arsovski's trademark fretless bass is powerful as ever, providing leading melodic lines in several of his compositions ("Kako ti drago", "Rucni rad", "Bistra voda"...). Tavitijan again shows his percussion capabilities as one of the best drummers in former Yugoslavia of all times, and Dimusevski's keyboards deliver spacey arrangements, atmospherics (especially in early fusion instrumentals) and strong solo parts. The last third of the video is reserved for more popular hit songs with Stefanovski singing lead vocals and these tracks ("Cuvam noc od budnih", "Skopje", "Cukni vo drvo".) are far better in their live versions performed here than in their original studio albums. The last song of the show "Uci me majko karaj me" is another cover of Macedonian traditional title, which had only surfaced before on the poor "Live in New York" album. The dynamic camera and photography (occasional black and white shots on Dimusevski, Tavitijan's visual shot from his bass drum membrane.) provide excellent visual experience and 5.1 system is enabled.

The rest of DVD contains short excerpts from interviews of all four members + some other persons unknown to me (journalists, producers I presume...), unfortunately only in Macedonian language. At least, my copy doesn't have the subtitles option, but I can't really complain because it is not a legal one :(, and I sort of understand Macedonian. Finally, a new track titled "Raspukala Sar planina" is an excellent contemporary folk-fusion followed by a nice video clip of the band recording/rehearsing in studio.

If only all the other old, mature rock artists from the past could bring us equally stunning performances such as this one. And I mean both the former Yugoslavian and the worldwide music scene!

PERSONAL RATING: 5/5

P. A. RATING: 5/5