Search - More Than a Song :: Witness

The Best CD You've Never Heard !!!

PHILIP S WOLF | SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA. USA | 09/02/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of my favorite Artists {along with Fairport Convention} for the last 20 years or so has been: Iain Matthews. After 40+ years as a Professional Musician, he is still barely known in the USA. Iain, as a member of Fairport Convention from 1967-1969, created a vocal blend with Sandy Denny on record and stage that is still remembered today as one of the heights of British Folk Rock.



This release from 2002, is a live offering from: "Witness". This group contains the musicial talents of Ad Vanderveen: on vocals, guitars, bass and harmonica. Eliza Gilkyson: playing piano, percussion and guitar and singing, Iain: vocals, guitar and percussion and Cisco Ryder adding percussion.



This Record saw a very limited release in Europe, and has never been available before in America. I am very surprised to see this available here at long last.



With 13 Tracks and clocking in at 72 minutes, this a very healthy portion of the live shows that Witness performed across Europe early in 2002. This CD is my pick for best Live Record of this Decade. With excellent songs from Iain {Meaning of Life, Ballad of Gruene Hall}, Eliza {Heart of a Man, Witness} and Ad {More than a Song to Sing, Sweet Old Life}. And Iain's, number one 'Hit Single: "Woodstock". The material is smart and played to perfection. The Vocals have that harmony sweet honey ooze in places, and thank's to Eliza's Texas background, a little bit of a gruff edge is added when needed. With Ad Vanderveen leading with a Neil Young tone of guitar, the music features high-end Rock, to balance the beautiful ballads.



This is great, great, music. The mixture of folk and rock, is matched by the high quality songs presented here. With the exception of Iain or possibly Eliza, you might have little knowledge of these musicians, or their music. Well, right here is your chance. If you want to listen to some best music there is as performed by the best musicians anywhere, give this a spin.

Best Live CD of this Decade.

FIVE STARS !!!"