LIVE 1995

Living in the third world (With a small variety of Prog DVD's), has disadvantages that turn into advantages in some rare occasions, last week I bought the "Pink Floyd Revisited" by MOSTLY AUTUMN, a band that I like a lot but when listening it, found that the second disk was damaged in the last track (Afterglow), it was one song only, but if you pay 45 bucks (That's the price in Peru for an original double DVD), you want it to be perfect.

Went to the store and the owner who knows me (Believe I'm his best client) immediately accepted the change, but told me I had to wait a month until a new copy came from USA, so being impatient told him I would take two different DVD's and buy MOSTLY AUTUMN when it comes, so searched but only found DISCIPLINE "Live 1995" and no other, so with some reluctance (Not a DISCIPLINE fan) took it plus a movie for my nephew.

Watching a DISCIPLINE concert is a totally different experience than listening an album, the music is good but with the show and the Magic Acid Mime theatrics turns into an excellent experience, watching Mr. Parmenter singing, playing guitar, keyboards and violin is simply amazing, of course it's evident he has more than casual PETER GABRIEL influence in his act and movements.

But if I had to choose a musician that really impressed me is Jon Preston Bouda and his eclectic guitar style, he jumps from aggressive flashes to atmospheric solos "a la" STEVE HACKETT. But not recognizing Paul Dzendzel's strong drumming and Matthew Kennedy solid bass would be unfair, even the guest keyboardist Brad Buszard makes an impeccable recreation of the atmospheric sound reminiscent of Tony Banks, outstanding.

The first part of the DVD is recorded from the 1995 gig and even when not perfect, the quality and sound are good enough, the extras feature some 1998 rare performances, some of them with very poor quality but outstanding music.

I rarely talk about the tracks when reviewing a compilation, live album or DVD because most have been reviewed in the studio albums but in this case there are tracks that really impress me.

From the 1995 concert the opener, "Diminished" presents one of Matthew Parmenter's best vocal interpretations and "Carmilla" is simply breathtaking.

But the best stuff from a musical perspective can be found in the extras, "Piddle Diddle Idle" is a perfect band work,. "When She Dreams She Dreams in Color (Coda)" with Matt at the violin and telling a joke is heartbreaking but "la piece de resistance" is "Into the Dream" with Parmenter at the keyboards, really opened my eyes to a band that I had in front of my nose but refused to see, absolutely rewarding experience.

Still don't know for sure if DISCIPLINE is Symphonic or Neo Prog and honestly, couldn't care less, thanks too the lack of MOSTLY AUTUMN stock, I'm falling in love with a band that I refused to accept because of silly prejudices against Neo Prog that thanks God I left behind after a couple months of being member of Prog Archives.

Not a 5 stars release because when reviewing a DVD we must judge not only the music and the show, but also the video and sound quality which is far from perfect (Even when very decent) but for sure won't give this DISCIPLINE "Live 1995" less than 4 solid stars.