Jacaranda
01-13-2004, 01:31 PM
In celebration of Trevor's 50th birthday, and I hope a very happy one for him, I wanted to do a review of his recent CD release "TR:Live in LA" which I received, as fate would have it, yesterday. I also received 90214 along with it, which I will also review in a few days, as I have been spinning this CD pretty hard since getting it. I put my Sam Goody gift card I received for Christmas to good use, and bought these both.
LILA starts off in great way, as any great live CD should, with Trevor playing a extended version of the guitar intro to "Lift Me Up", one of my favorite riffs by him. I have to say all through this CD you hear his great added touches he does live to all the songs, and, I stress this VERY much, you cannot help but play air guitar to this whole thing. His finger work is just brilliant, which is evident on the studio albums, but totally explodes on this CD. This intro leads into "Cover Up" from his Can't Look Away CD, which this tour was supporting. The first thing I noticed about his singing was how good it sounds. Yes, that is what you would expect to hear from a TR fan I guess, but it's really true. And this spans the CD; no off-key singing or weak notes. He does a great job bringing his vocals up to his guitar playing, and to do both at the same time is an INCREDIBLE feat, which I think any vocalist/guitar player would tell you.
The next track is "Sorrow", one of my favorites from CLA. His touring band does a great job playing as good as the CLA CD sounds (with the exception of 2 times on the CD where the subsitute instruments don't sound as good as the choices on the studio CD). Next is "Heard You Cry Wolf", a song from his earlier solo work, and he does a GORGEOUS job on it. TR at his best, as his singing is so full of emotion and his guitar playing and solo are very intense. One of the best moments on the CD. Next is the classic "Changes" from 90215 which the audience recognizes pretty quick as the piano intro starts. TR goes crazy on it, and does a great job glorifying the original version. Jon's voice is replaced so that its absence isn't a distraction during listening to this version. TR runs with it and makes it his own. Next is another favorite of mine from CLA, "Eyes of Love". The guitar playing is super crisp and strong throughout, and when TR comes in after the intro with that heavy guitar riff, I get goosebumps, which slides into the opening vocals. The song shifts back and forth in every verse, which is why I like the sound of the song so much. Again TR adds his improved touches that makes it great to listen to for anyone familiar with the original version.
Next is "Love Will Find A Way" from Big Generator. Jon's voice is replaced nicely so it isn't distraction like earlier on the CD. It is great to hear it on here as BG is a favorite Yes/TR memory of mine (and my first introduction to Yes/TR). "Sludge" is up next, his instumental piece from CLA, which he stretches out in TR fashion, with his guitar tangents always there, almost "doodling" in a guitar sense, but done very well bouncing around, and with the incredible range TR has on the guitar it is a great treat to listen to. "Can't Look Away" comes next, and is the "Endless Dream" of this CD. He stretches it out to 12 minutes with his passion for its political message, with his guitar work so strong; very, very inspiring to listen to. Again, he floods this song with the incredible talent and range he has on guitar, enhancing the original version and making it such an experience to hear, as the audience roars and howls in approval afterward.
And what live performance would be complete without "Owner Of A Lonely Heart" which comes next, and in one of those great concert moments, he gets the excited audience involved in singing parts by themselves. He finishes the CD with my favorite from CLA, "Something To Hold On To". It's just great to hear it live, and has that signature TR sound and spirit.
I am really glad TR released this CD, and to think it has been 15 years since this concert blows me away. This really shows what a talented musician this guy has inside him, and is far beyond some pop machine some YesWest critics make him out to have been. This is some great playing to listen to, TR follower or not. Now if you'll excuse me, I have an air guitar by my stereo calling my name...
J
LILA starts off in great way, as any great live CD should, with Trevor playing a extended version of the guitar intro to "Lift Me Up", one of my favorite riffs by him. I have to say all through this CD you hear his great added touches he does live to all the songs, and, I stress this VERY much, you cannot help but play air guitar to this whole thing. His finger work is just brilliant, which is evident on the studio albums, but totally explodes on this CD. This intro leads into "Cover Up" from his Can't Look Away CD, which this tour was supporting. The first thing I noticed about his singing was how good it sounds. Yes, that is what you would expect to hear from a TR fan I guess, but it's really true. And this spans the CD; no off-key singing or weak notes. He does a great job bringing his vocals up to his guitar playing, and to do both at the same time is an INCREDIBLE feat, which I think any vocalist/guitar player would tell you.
The next track is "Sorrow", one of my favorites from CLA. His touring band does a great job playing as good as the CLA CD sounds (with the exception of 2 times on the CD where the subsitute instruments don't sound as good as the choices on the studio CD). Next is "Heard You Cry Wolf", a song from his earlier solo work, and he does a GORGEOUS job on it. TR at his best, as his singing is so full of emotion and his guitar playing and solo are very intense. One of the best moments on the CD. Next is the classic "Changes" from 90215 which the audience recognizes pretty quick as the piano intro starts. TR goes crazy on it, and does a great job glorifying the original version. Jon's voice is replaced so that its absence isn't a distraction during listening to this version. TR runs with it and makes it his own. Next is another favorite of mine from CLA, "Eyes of Love". The guitar playing is super crisp and strong throughout, and when TR comes in after the intro with that heavy guitar riff, I get goosebumps, which slides into the opening vocals. The song shifts back and forth in every verse, which is why I like the sound of the song so much. Again TR adds his improved touches that makes it great to listen to for anyone familiar with the original version.
Next is "Love Will Find A Way" from Big Generator. Jon's voice is replaced nicely so it isn't distraction like earlier on the CD. It is great to hear it on here as BG is a favorite Yes/TR memory of mine (and my first introduction to Yes/TR). "Sludge" is up next, his instumental piece from CLA, which he stretches out in TR fashion, with his guitar tangents always there, almost "doodling" in a guitar sense, but done very well bouncing around, and with the incredible range TR has on the guitar it is a great treat to listen to. "Can't Look Away" comes next, and is the "Endless Dream" of this CD. He stretches it out to 12 minutes with his passion for its political message, with his guitar work so strong; very, very inspiring to listen to. Again, he floods this song with the incredible talent and range he has on guitar, enhancing the original version and making it such an experience to hear, as the audience roars and howls in approval afterward.
And what live performance would be complete without "Owner Of A Lonely Heart" which comes next, and in one of those great concert moments, he gets the excited audience involved in singing parts by themselves. He finishes the CD with my favorite from CLA, "Something To Hold On To". It's just great to hear it live, and has that signature TR sound and spirit.
I am really glad TR released this CD, and to think it has been 15 years since this concert blows me away. This really shows what a talented musician this guy has inside him, and is far beyond some pop machine some YesWest critics make him out to have been. This is some great playing to listen to, TR follower or not. Now if you'll excuse me, I have an air guitar by my stereo calling my name...
J