Mystery Train/Magical Mystery Tour/Strawberry Fields Forever - Transatlantic, Lennon, John
We Need Some Light
Track Listings (3) - Disc #2
Watcher of the Skies/Firth of Fifth - Transatlantic, Banks
My New World
Medley: There Is More to This World/Go the Way You Go/The Great Escape - Transatlantic, Dream Theater
Featuring Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), Pete Trewavas (Marillion), Neal Morse (Spock's Beard) and Roine Stolt (Flower Kings). This rare double live CD is really astounding. Not only do you get the feeling of being at one o... more »f their sold out American shows, but alsoo the sound quality and musicianship are first rate. Recorded on their US mini-tour of the east coast, this set includes the best material from their first studio album, plus some very fun and surprising covers such as The Beatles' 'Strawberry Fields Forever' and Genesis' 'Firth Of Fifth'. Slimline double jewel case. 2001 release.« less
Featuring Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), Pete Trewavas (Marillion), Neal Morse (Spock's Beard) and Roine Stolt (Flower Kings). This rare double live CD is really astounding. Not only do you get the feeling of being at one of their sold out American shows, but alsoo the sound quality and musicianship are first rate. Recorded on their US mini-tour of the east coast, this set includes the best material from their first studio album, plus some very fun and surprising covers such as The Beatles' 'Strawberry Fields Forever' and Genesis' 'Firth Of Fifth'. Slimline double jewel case. 2001 release.
"Thid cd is cool, but the production is not great. It sounds good, but at times certain instruments are hard to here. The keysboards are not very at hot in the mix at times. I guess I just got spoiled to hearing the excellent studio versions. This cd is still cool though. The band does some excellent cover songs. If you are a true Transatlantic fan you should buy this cd, but if you are buying their music for the first time, don't get this one. The other two cd's are awesome."
Some good songs, pretty cruddy singing
A. Davis | New York, NY | 09/01/2004
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Neal Morse for some reason sounds really good on the first section of "All of the Above" but is terrible on track 2 and other various songs on the CD. Everytime I hear him hit a bad note, it makes me wince. Same goes for Mike Portnoy. He is an excellent, innovative drummer, one that I look up to, but he goes a bit overboard with his singing, for his vocal abilities are very limited. Otherwise the musicianship is good quality. The cover of Genesis's "Watcher of the Skies/Firth of Fifth" was excellent, as well as the 30 minute epic, "All of the Above.""
Good, but not their best
- | Colorado Springs, CO United States | 01/16/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"The 2 studio albums Transatlantic put out are very well done with excellent production and fine musicianship. As a fan of all the bands (Spock's Beard, Marillion, Flower Kings, Dream Theater), I am pretty familiar with the playing abilities of the band's members (Neal Morse, Pete Trewavas, Roine Stolt, and Mike Portnoy). Although the music selection is great with a good mix of Tranatlantic material, classic prog (Genesis), and a medley of the 4 band's music listed above, the performance is fair. Not to be too harsh on these guys as they haven't had the time to play as a band and this recording was made during a tour of only 6 shows (ever). Considering the lack of playing time as a band, they do pretty well. But there is room for improvement. It was a surprise to see their willingness to put out a live album considering their limited time together, so hats off to their boldness. If you are a hardcore fan, pick it up; if you are exploring Transatlantic's music for the first time, start with either of their superb studio albums. This is good, but not their best."
Its what makes a live album great and other thoughts
- | 04/02/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The one thing I hate about many live albums is the inclusion of overdubs after the fact to correct the flubs. There are none of those on this album. Yes, TransAtlantic make a few gaffs, but that's part of the charm. I got this album soon after it was released and have enjoyed it ever since.
Sadly, with the exception of the soon to be released DVD, there will be no more TransAtlantic. Neal's decision to persue other musical avenues has ended this great collaberation. Grab this collection, grab SMPT:e, grab Bridge Across Forever.
The one thing you need to remember is that all of these albums were recorded over an incredibly brief period of time. SMPT:e was recorded in four separate studios with the players not really playing together until the Live in America shows. Bridge was recorded in a four days, with some tweaking after the fact.
These three albums are a testament to the creativity and talent of these four musicians. Don't let them fade away."