H R H - R E V I E W S

Erik Norlander
Live in St. Petersburg Think Tank Music

Comments: Keyboardist extraordinaire Erik Norlander's three month tour across the U.S. and Europe is documented on the last stop of the tour in St. Petersburg, Russia. The ensuing 90-minute show was captured on DVD as well as audio CD with selected tracks from the DVD performance.

Recorded in 2004, Erik Norlander and Friends – Live in St. Petersburg sees Norlander joined by Kelly Keeling, who handles bass and vocal duties, Peer Verschuren on guitar and Ernst Van Ee on drums, as well as his wife Lana Lane. Keeling, who has appeared on two previous recordings of Norlander’s, ‘03s Music Machine and ‘04s Stars Rain Down, is fine form demonstrating his immense musical talent.

Obviously the spotlight is on the lavish compositions that features Norlander’s skill on keyboards as well as his brilliant programming ability with his Macintosh laptop in full view on his music rig. The evening was dominated by instrumental music but both Keeling and Lana Lane each take their turn at the microphone.

The backdrop for the band is nothing fancy. Just musicians on stage performing intricate, complicated and graceful music, so from a visual stand point nothing is over the top or overly flamboyant.

The guitar truly takes a back seat within Norlander’s music. The bass and drums find themselves to be the underlying foundation of the sweeping keyboard passages, melodies and phrasing. Such is the case on “Alexandria” which features Lana Lane whose vocals are pure and smooth as silk. The guitar adds solos and layered rhythms as it winds down to its final ending notes but doesn’t find itself to be the dominant instrument.

Kelly Keeling’s performance as well as the music on “Fallen” is awesome. Norlander and Keeling share the spotlight together as Norlander lays done the groove and melodies from behind his keyboards and computer. Their live rendition of “One of the Machines” is very cool as well.

The DVD features a 45-minute documentary, “The Road to Russia,” that covers the bands three-month journey while touring through the U.S. and Europe before closing out their adventure in Russia. There is also additional footage of the band performing during the U.S. and European shows. The audio CD contains two new studio recordings, “Fanfare for Absent Friends Part Two” and “From Russia With Love” the cover of the James Bond classic song.

Mixed in Dolby Stereo and in DTS 5.1 Surround the sonic tapestry is magnificently represented and compliments the video performances of the entire group of musicians.

Band members:
ERIK NORLANDER - keyboards
KELLY KEELING - vocals, bass
LANA LANE - vocals
PEER VERSCHUREN - guitar
ERNST VAN EE - drums
and DON SCHIFF - bass and NS/Stick on the two studio tracks

Track listing:
"Live in St. Petersburg" contains the concert performances of:

1. Fanfare for Absent Friends Part One
2. Neurosaur
3. Dreamcurrents
4. Mariner
5. A Salty Dog
6. Sky Full of Stars
7. Alexandria
8. Guardian Angel
9. Oblivion Days
10. Peer's Guitar Solo
11. Beware the Vampires
12. Secrets of Astrology
13. Fallen
14. One of the Machines
15. Fanfare for Absent Friends Part Two

"The Road to Russia" documentary contains performances of the songs:

1. In the Court of the Crimson King - Cal Prog 2004 festival
2. Sky Full of Stars - 2004 European Tour
3. Mariner - 2004 European Tour
4. From Russia With Love - new studio recording with video montage

Bonus Audio CD tracks:

1. Fanfare for Absent Friends Part One [2:19]
2. Neurosaur [5:51]
3. Dreamcurrents [5:59]
4. Mariner [7:12]
5. A Salty Dog [4:42]
6. Sky Full of Stars [11:32]
7. Alexandria [7:01]
8. Guardian Angel [6:56]
9. Peer's Guitar Solo [2:04]
10. Beware the Vampires [5:37]
11. Fallen [5:35]
12. One of the Machines [5:42]
13. Fanfare for Absent Friends Part Two [3:59] new studio track
14. From Russia With Love [4:51] new studio track

Bonus audio CD running time [79:29]

HRH Rating: 8.2/10

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