Classic Rock Start Page DVD Review
SAGA - All Areas - Live In Bonn 2002
1. Careful Where You Step
2. Compromise
3. The One
4. Wind Him Up
5. Remember When
6. No Regrets
7. The Runaway
8. Time Bomb
9. We'll Meet Again
10. A Brief Case
11. Don't Be Late
12. Time's Up
13. See Them Smile
14. Take It Or Leave It
15. Humble Stance
16. You're Not Alone
Bonus Features:
* Discography
* Photo Gallery
* Making Of
* Gear
* 5.1 Audio
© 2004 Steamhammer, a division of SPV GmbH
SAGA e-mail: info@saga-world.com
SAGA website: www.saga-world.com
Now here's what every SAGA-fan has been looking for! A collection of SAGA-Classics on DVD, performed live in Bonn, in the summer of 2002. To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the band, the live-show was the only one in Europe that year.
With some (!) organisation-problems they had to deal with (listen carefully to the "Making Of"-section), it is truly a miracle that the quality of the concert is so high. Or, can one expect a poor quality concert of SAGA? I don't think so, because all the members of SAGA are in total control with their instruments. Only a good musician will hear the little faults during playing, but I can asure you, there are very few!! And in times of trouble one can reach unforeseen heights, when, at last, the parts of the puzzle come all together! This is, I think, what happened to SAGA in Bonn, otherwise I can't explain the quality of the gig.
After 25 years it's still the same SAGA (original line-up!) as it was in the early days, only the equipment is much better. In all of its facets it's a great show to look and listen to. The only thing that is mentionable is the choice of the DVD's root menu: almost unreadable letters, so pick up your DVD-box and make your choice.
Perhaps "Careful Where You Step", the opener for years now, could have give you the feeling that playing an instrument isn't that difficult. Luckily I know it isn't so. You must have had years of training before you reach the high level of Ian Crichton, otherwise you had to be a child prodigy. And Jim Gilmour has its skills too, partly influenced by the great Keith Emerson, partly by great classical composers like Igor Stravinsky and Claude Debussy. Rushing over the keyboards is no joke, it's a job! Michael Sadler is still a personality on stage. His voice hasn't lost its power, and that's important because it's a major part of the SAGA-sound. The rhythm-tandem Steve Negus-Jim Crichton is very solid, with some classic Negus-brakes, yeah, it all fits together.
Follow the list of classic and newer songs and enjoy this live-registration. Particularly the 5.1 audio will please you when you have a home cinema set! Adjust the volume to high rocklevel and hear some damn' good music coming out of your speakers! "Don't Be Late", go for it!!
Review by: Clemens Steenweg, March 2004