Thoughts on DVD/CD

[John Run]

Well, having watched the DVD and listened to the CD, as well as being at the two shows last September here are my thoughts and opinions.

The DVD is a much grittier depiction of live music than The Dance and although comparisons are inevitable, I think you are really comparing two different beasts. The Dance was recorded on a Hollywood Soundstage and then engineered to reintroduce a dormant band to a new generation. It was and needed to be almost studio perfect. Live in Boston was recorded at The Fleet Center in Boston and despite its reputation as being one of the better arenas for live music, it is still a modern building of concrete and steel, not designed for the sole purpose of listening to and viewing music.

I am not going to get into the quality of the DVD as far as picture and sound. One I just don't know enough about picture quality to make an educated statement. Some of it is subjective as well. From my stand point it looked good on my 35" TV. Sound: The 5.1 sounded much better to me than the PCM. Running it through my 5 speaker w/subwoofer system with a digital audio cable running from DVD to my amp I thought the sound was rich and full. The vocals really stood out in that mix.

One thing I have noticed is different people having differrent complaints about the sound. I think a lot has to do with one's own system. To my ear, they way my system is equalized, the guitars are often too low in the mix yet the drums and bass are too far up. I know others have the opposite complaint. Vocals were almost stunningly clear and out front for most songs. I did have some issues with some of the spoken intros being very low, but that is about it. Again, I think it has a lot to do with one's own system.

For a taped show it is good! I just don't believe camera can truly catch the sound, energy, and excitement of live music. Somethings do come off better though. Come's solo which I feel is often lost in the mix during concert is brought up front and seperated. It sounds great! Gypsy sounds much better on disc than it has live to me. Big Love which has drawn some complaints, I really like here. It is less sterile and even more raw. Is it as perfect as the Dance, no, but I love the passion in it. It is an intangible thing there that I just seem to prefer. I agree with others that the percussion intro to Stand Back seems a little muted. Mick's Drum Solo on tape just does not work. Rhiannon is a good version of what Rhainnon is today and by today's standards she tears up the end. Same thing with Gold Dust Woman, which I think ranks as the best post 1982 version I have heard! Silver Springs was great both nights, however it loses something vocally on tape here. I think a lot has to do with the energy live music gets from the crowd and the music's surroundings, as opposed to listening and watching on tape. It just is not as good as I remember it being on those nights.

Live in Boston is a nice keepsake of a tour that will go down as longest in Fleetwood Mac History. Enjoy the music and the video. Who knows what tomorrow might bring?