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BLACKFIELD
"NYC: Blackfield Live in New York
City"
(K-Scope; 2009)
Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter
Blackfield, with two esteemed studio efforts to their credit, are a veritable if
slightly unknown “supergroup.” Featuring Israeli rock legend Avi Geffen and
Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree fame Blackfield teams the immense songwriting
skills and nuanced performances of Geffen and Wilson to great effect. “NYC:
Blackfield Live in New York City” documents the band’s March 16, 2007
performance at the famed Bowery Ballroom.
Understated performances on the studio albums are given an organic facelift in
the live setting while remaining faithful to the original arrangements. The set
list draws almost equally from the two studio albums – a slight edge to the
second album. A cover of Alanis Morrisette’s “Thankyou” is included in the
performance and to the uninitiated wouldn’t seem out of place.
Geffen’s and Wilson’s voices are suitable complements of each other – their
voices elevate the melancholic songs to beautiful heights without losing sight
of the sad emotions that inspired the songs in the first place. The band,
already familiar with the songs due to their involvement in the recording
process, resists the temptation to overplay the songs.
The accompanying DVD is the exact same performance as the live concert
documented on the CD. The DVD has the performance in 5.1 surround sound and
three promotional videos filmed by the acclaimed Laise Hoile.
Blackfield: Avi Geffen on vocals, acoustic and electric
guitars, and keyboards and Steven Wilson on vocals and electric guitar. Geffen
and Wilson are joined by Eran Mitelman on keyboards, Seffy Efrati on bass, and
Tomer Z on drums.
For more information visit
http://www.blackfield.org/.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2009 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
