EN GIRA (LIVE 2000)

This is the second DVD release by Medina Azahara, the popular 'heavy progressive' rockband from Spain. It's an official video release (1991) from a concert in 2000 and has been put on DVD in 2003. If I compare it to the other DVD entitled "En concierto" this DVD will appeal more to progheads although most songs are tasteful mainstream rock featuring strong harder-edged guitarwork (with echoes from Blackmore and Vai) and functional keyboardplay (some soli on organ and synthesizers). The rhythm-section sound very tight and propulsive, the hugh blond lead singer has a very warm and often emotional stage peformance. The lightshow is beautiful (including pyrotechnics) and the crowd reacts enthousiastic to the music, often due to singer Manuel who runs around and search for contact with the fans in the vein of David Byron and Mick Jagger but less theatrical and self-indulgent. The best moments on this DVD are the harder-edged renditions from the Triana songs "Abre la puerta" (great vocals) and "El lago" (emotional community singing), the exciting guitar/keyboard solo-duel, the wonderful ballad "Otono", the flamenco- inspired "Paseando por la mezquita" and the final track "A toda ese gente", a warm goodbey from a very tight and enthousiastic band that is still alive and kicking after 25 years! VERY DRIVEN PROG AND ROLL!!