LIVE AT BELMONT

Thirteen years ago Glass Hammer delivered her debut album entitled Journey Of The Dunadan, now here is a 2- DVD (running time 250 minutes)) by this popular and acclaimed USA progrock formation. The concert was recorded in Belmont (USA) with the use of 8 cameras, you can notice that because the crew often switches to all parts of the stage. The sound of Glass Hammer has echoes from Yes and ELP but less complex and adventurous. Keyboard player Fred Schendel delivers lots of pleasant vintage keyboards sounds (Hammond, Mellotron, Minimoog, church-organ) out of his digital equipment. He is very pleasantly accompanied by fiery electric guitar work, wonderful work on the steel- guitar (evoking Steve Howe), a violin-section, 3 female background singers (one does at some times the lead) and, during the final two tracks, by a massive choir of 150 people! This reminds me of the sheer megalomaniac days of 'Seventies Rick Wakeman solo' when the stage was crowded with many, many musicians and a battery of keyboards!

My highlights on DVD 1 (the concert) are Run Lisette (flashy Minimoog runs and a fluent Hammond organ solo), Knight Of The North (wonderful interplay by warm female vocals and beautiful paino, from sparkling to dreamy), the epic When We Were Young (very alternating including fine violin-Mellotron waves, a piece with propulsive guitar and lush organ and an instrumental break with swirling Hammond and powerful bass play) and Having Caught A Glimpse (the massive choir and great keyboard work, an amazing combination). On DVD 2 you will find lots of interesting bonus features like parts of early gigs (like Nearfest 2003), the songs Lirazet and Tales Of The Great Wars with photos, rehearsals (with the choir), a trailer and 'behind the scenes'.

I am sure that this pleasant and tasteful DVD will delight many progheads, especially because of the great interplay and soli on keyboard and guitars. RECOMMENDED!