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Originally, this DVD was the extra gift that came with the ultra limited Alder Ring edition of fortune & folly. However, B'ee decided to release a second edition, which was only available through personal correspondence through the In Gowan Ring mailinglist. So, here it is, and people like myself, who didn't purchase the Alder Ring set, can now gaze upon B'ee's first own video release.
The live set proper was recorded in Portland in November 2006, and it consists of five tracks. Four from the latest album, and it finishes off with "Pan", one half cover (of Changes' "Song of Pan") and one half own composition. The performane is quite good, comparable with other live recordings from the past. B'ee is supported by Jesse Engum on bass and flute, and Jonathan Howitt on percussion. The main downside about this recording is the very low quality (resolution) of the video, which really shows on TV. This compensated here and there by visual effects, but the overall result is rather poor. Nevertheless, it's enjoyable to watch, especially because of "Song of Pan", which is rather upbeat for B'ee's standards. The first part of the song ("listen now, Great Pan...") is taken from the song by Changes, while the up-tempo middle part ("dance, dance, till the break of day...") is new. It's a long, but excellent catchy track, and B'ee is supported by Jessamyn Grace West and Debra Norie on backing vocals.
As extras on 'side A', we have an extended version of "Birch Sap" and the aptly named "Collage". Both contain a selection of photographs and visuals deftly mixed and edited by B'ee and Timothy Renner, with Jessamyn West and Bill Maas. For the ladies and gents who can't get enough of B'ee's charismatic persona, this should be a real treat. In any case, it's a very relaxing couple of tracks, with suitably psychedelic eye candy consisting of both nature images and B'ee himself.
What makes this DVD more than "just OK" is the extra videos on 'B-side'. It contains six tracks spread over four performances/projects from the past. "Morning is Walking Dream" is taken from the Nocturnal Sessions DVD by Francesco Paladino and it is of course an alternate version of "Morning's Waking Dream" with some atmospheric film to go along with it. Two tracks from the Flammenzauber 2004 festival were also included, which has some nice dark footage with a great performance of B'ee still with his 'stringed spade'. "Backward Climbing" on Optic Nerve 2005 is a nice performance of this rare track. The best thing, I think, is the two tracks from Moscow 2006. The video is much, much better, than the main feature, and the performance of both tracks is very nice. Perhaps there's more footage of this gig lying around for future use?
All in all, I was glad to get the opportunity to purchase this after all. I'm not sure if B'ee is still selling this, but if you're fan enough to contact him personally about it, you might give it a shot. Certainly worth it if you appreciate a lot of what B'eirth does.
O.S.
The live set proper was recorded in Portland in November 2006, and it consists of five tracks. Four from the latest album, and it finishes off with "Pan", one half cover (of Changes' "Song of Pan") and one half own composition. The performane is quite good, comparable with other live recordings from the past. B'ee is supported by Jesse Engum on bass and flute, and Jonathan Howitt on percussion. The main downside about this recording is the very low quality (resolution) of the video, which really shows on TV. This compensated here and there by visual effects, but the overall result is rather poor. Nevertheless, it's enjoyable to watch, especially because of "Song of Pan", which is rather upbeat for B'ee's standards. The first part of the song ("listen now, Great Pan...") is taken from the song by Changes, while the up-tempo middle part ("dance, dance, till the break of day...") is new. It's a long, but excellent catchy track, and B'ee is supported by Jessamyn Grace West and Debra Norie on backing vocals.
As extras on 'side A', we have an extended version of "Birch Sap" and the aptly named "Collage". Both contain a selection of photographs and visuals deftly mixed and edited by B'ee and Timothy Renner, with Jessamyn West and Bill Maas. For the ladies and gents who can't get enough of B'ee's charismatic persona, this should be a real treat. In any case, it's a very relaxing couple of tracks, with suitably psychedelic eye candy consisting of both nature images and B'ee himself.
What makes this DVD more than "just OK" is the extra videos on 'B-side'. It contains six tracks spread over four performances/projects from the past. "Morning is Walking Dream" is taken from the Nocturnal Sessions DVD by Francesco Paladino and it is of course an alternate version of "Morning's Waking Dream" with some atmospheric film to go along with it. Two tracks from the Flammenzauber 2004 festival were also included, which has some nice dark footage with a great performance of B'ee still with his 'stringed spade'. "Backward Climbing" on Optic Nerve 2005 is a nice performance of this rare track. The best thing, I think, is the two tracks from Moscow 2006. The video is much, much better, than the main feature, and the performance of both tracks is very nice. Perhaps there's more footage of this gig lying around for future use?
All in all, I was glad to get the opportunity to purchase this after all. I'm not sure if B'ee is still selling this, but if you're fan enough to contact him personally about it, you might give it a shot. Certainly worth it if you appreciate a lot of what B'eirth does.
O.S.