SOLIDARNOSC LIVE

Most of the JM Jarre videos I own contain visual overtones and often irritating megalomaniac behaviour by JM Jarre. On this DVD the visuals, the synthesizer extravaganza and pure emotion are in a far more better balance although JM Jarre is still eager to be the conductor of an applauding massive crowd and the visuals remain amazing like breathtaking pyrotechnics, a spectacular laser-harp and a wonderful, very sophisticated lightshow. The integration of a wide range of instruments gives a less clinical atmosphere: a barrel organ (Tribute To Chopin), the Theremin (Theremin Memories), an accordeon (Chronology 6), a wind-synthesizer (Suite For Flute en Space Of Freedom) and in some songs the use of a keytar (a combination of a guitar and portable synthesizer). I also enjoyed the fiery guitar work, especially in a heavy rendition of Vivaldi his Four Seasons (Summer-Presto). Very emotional is the track Mury (impressive interplay between a choir and electronic pop), Souvenir (voices from the Polish resistance in the Lech Walesa era) and a few tracks as a tribute to the pope. Another interesting element is the combination of a choir and violins, this matches perfect with the often bombastic electronic pop like in Aero, the great Rendez-Vous 2 (exciting combination of orchestral keyboards, female choir and violins), Oxygene 12 (spectacular sounds and images of the animal world) and the final composition Aerology remix (swinging and propulsive, the tight beat and the syntehsizer evoke our Dutch pride dj Tiesto). For me this DVD is the best JM Jarre ever produced, along with his concerts in China!

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This DVD is very different to review for me, considering that I witnessed this concert with my own eyes back in Gdansk 26/08/05. I stood there with over 120.000 people around me, all was looking at the stage for hours, waiting till it became darker so the laser effects was easier to see. I was lucky enough to watch the entire rehearsing the day before, but the main event was even better, more intense and atmospheric! On the main event, a polish pianist/singer entertained us in meanwhile and when it became dark enough, Jean-Michel Jarre apperaed on the left of the stage with several construction workers around him, Jarre was playing the intro of "Industrial Revolution: Overture" on some kind of electronic barrels, making this version very faithful to the original one. People were applauding and Jarre switched over to his "KeyTar", playing the synth solo in the song. I stood there and thinked to myself "this is gonna be awesome!". It really did.

I stood there with my 2-liter bottle of coke, amazed and with a great feeling inside me. It was a very moody and special concert. The concept behind it was the 25th anniversary of solidarity, led by Lech Walesa, which even had a speech on the stage in the middle of the concert. It was an amazing concert overall! Though some of the songs like "Tribute to Mury" etc. does not appeal to my music taste, but they did fit in the concert and concept extremely well and people were astonished! The laser shows were great, as always with Jarre concerts, and of course, the laser harp were present on the middle section of "Rendez- Vous 2". Definetly a highlight for me! There was over 16 tons of fireworks featured in the concert, and they were launched from behind the stage and up in the air right over the stage, and even during "Souvenir of Chine", the fireworks nearly were in exact synch with the snare drum on the song. Really well-done. It definitely was a concert I'll never forget! There was so many great things about it! The overall atmosphere and mood etc. It's different to watch it on DVD though. You don't get the same feeling of it, but the DVD is Extremely good as well; up to pair with the "Jarre In China" DVD. Definitely recommended!

I'll never forget this concert, and I'll rate it 5/5. The DVD get's 4.5/5 for not reaching the same level as the concert itself. But hey, which DVD does? Highly recommended for all JMJ fans! A must!