Let's face it, the 21st century prog rock scene has never been healthier. Since it has been allowed to grow completely outside the substance-destroying gaze of the entertainment industry at large, and hasn't even been considered by the think-tank of the death machine (corporate radio), it has been allowed to grow undisturbed by the usual forces of entropy. Bands like Magellan, Spock's Beard, Neal Morse's Testimony project -- just to name a few. The Flower Kings on this double-disc, live CD, featuring six compositions ("Garden of Dreams" is in two parts, making for a total of seven tracks) offer one of the brightest views yet of a band whose obsession with musical exploration and complex harmonic issues never, ever gets in the way of an honest expression of "song," and the human emotions and narratives within it. Led by guitarist and vocalist Roine Stolt, this Swedish septet offers a live outing every bit as adventurous as their studio offerings. Stolt's debt to Yes' Jon Anderson and Steve Hackett is still everywhere evident, but his lyrics are not consciously obtuse, and are drenched in life-affirming scenarios. Musically, the band's reliance on melody and harmony to carry forth their edgier musical explorations is a real blessing; they welcome the listener inside their sound world and make them a part of their sprawling musical narratives. One listen to the monolithic opener, "The Truth Will Set You Free," (clocking in at over 31 minutes), or Disc Two's 26-minute-plus closer, "Stardust We Are," proves that good music has no expiration date, and that inspiration is a deep well that knows no prejudices. This is the real stuff: brave, elegant, ambitious and yes, soulful. ~ Thom Jurek
Double German live album, recorded on Feb. 10th 2003 in Uppsala City Theatre, featuring seven tracks.
Audio Mixer: Roine Stolt.
Liner Note Author: Roine Stolt.
Recording information: Uppsala Stadsteater (02/10/2003).
The Flower Kings: Roine Stolt (vocals, guitar); Hasse Bruniusson (vocals, percussion); Tomas Bodin (keyboards); Jonas Reingold (bass); Zoltan Csorsz (drums).
Personnel: Daniel Gildenlöw (vocals, guitar, keyboards, percussion); Hans Froberg, Roine Stolt (vocals, guitar); Hans Bruniusson (vocals, percussion); Tomas Bodin (keyboards); Jonas Reingold (bass guitar); Zoltan Csorsz (drums).
Finally !!! this it what we all FloKi fans have been waiting for, a live album with all their epics. However if like short songs, you came to the wrong place. If you want to hear a good band play, you came to the good place, and good it is. you get 6 songs, all together around the 155 minutes of music, so quite alot of time for such small amount of songs. I thought that some songs were even beter than on the original album. A song as Humanizzimo, originally from The Flower King, Roines Solo album. My goodness what a crushing version. I have been looking forward for a long time to hear this sings play with the todays band and Im glad they finally did, and the result was mindblowing. Another song I loved was Stardust We Are also in the complete version, and in a very much like beter version than the original, the beginning is more Yes like than ever, and the rest always remains one of my favorite songs of the band. All in all highly recomanded. I really hate I missed this tour, but thank God I can hear it on cd. Submitted by a reviewer (Raalte, Netherlands) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
This tour was incredible I had the pleasure of seeing this tour live at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. I took two friends who had never listened to the Flower Kings. She Finnish, he American. I had no idea what to expect from the band. The Flower Kings were spectacular. Even my firends who were unfamiliar with the material were very impressed and sat transfixed by the sheer musicality of it. This live set effectively captures what I saw right down to the Dead-like noodle jam on disc 2. The only drawback about htis recording is that it was recorded before a small audience who don't exactly bring down the house with applause at the end of each song...whatever...it's a great recording even if it sounds like and audience of 40 people!
This band needs to tour to be appreciated. Buy this CD! Submitted by Organizm (Hollywood, CA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
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