The Divine Comedy: Live At The Palladium

The Divine Comedy: Live At The PalladiumDistributed by
Parlophone (EMI)

Cert:
Cat.no: 7 2435442219 5
Running time: 112 minutes
Year: 2004
Pressing: 2004
Region(s): 2, PAL
Sound: DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1, Stereo
Languages: English
Subtitles: (Spoken word only) English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish
Widescreen: 1.78:1
Disc Format: DVD 9
Price: £17.99
Rating: 8/10
Booklet : Titles, credits
Extras:Documentary, Lyrics, Photo Gallery, Music videos: Come Home Billy Bird, Absent Friends

Divine music from the Divine Comedy.

Its a job well done as they take to the stage at the London Palladium.Northern Irelands very own cult singer-songwriter, Neil Hannon is TDC, alongwith some highly accomplished musicians whove entered the ever expandingentourage.

By many, hes been described as a pop-genius, and has set an agenda ofwriting great pop songs that will hopefully reach as large an audience aspossible. He seems to have achieved both goals, as the fanbase increases yearon year.

Complete with the 15-piece Millennia Ensemble he thrills the fans with aselection of both popular favourites and some rarely heard album tracks.Hannons penchant for fusing old French and Indie music: it unfolds intopanoramic epics, synonymous with his soundtrack fetish.

Absent FriendsStrong emphasis is placed on melody and harmony which he learnt from his daysin both school and church choirs. Having studied piano, he has an excellentgrasp of what constitutes an additional classical feel. He works out thebasics on his computer, and hands over the more elaborate workings to histrusty collaborator Joby.

He keeps his finger well and truly on the pulse by ensuring that hesresponsible for the overall beautification of his compositions. On thisoccasion he was desperately keen to play songs from this years Absent Friendsalbum with full instrumentation, despite the cost.

Two gigs in Liverpool, and it was straight on to the Palladium show, which hedescribed as a triumph. Its either a melancholic slant – Sticks and Stonesand Leaving Today or an uplifting one – National Express, SomethingFor The Weekend – with both moods equally balanced.

Theres an underlying child-like innocence, which is very attractive comingfrom a 33-year-old. He continues to be a maverick amongst his contemporaries:a rare breed indeed.

This is sophisticated Pop music of the 20th and 21st century – with a totallytimeless feel. Sit back and enjoy a fascinating night of eclectic music.

The full list of tracks included are :

1. Absent Friends
2. In Pursuit Of Happiness
3. Becoming More Like Alfie
4. Sticks & Stones
5. Leaving Today
6. Come Home Billy Bird
7. The Certainty Of Chance
8. When The Lights Go Out All Over Europe
9. No One Knows
10. National Express 11. Generation Sex
12. Songs Of Love
13. The Happy Goth
14. Our Mutual Friend
15. Three Sisters
16. Charmed Life
17. Tonight We Fly
18. Something For The Weekend
19. SunriseMore info atThe Divine Comedy.com

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Elly Roberts

Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.

A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.

I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.

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