Search - Gaudia Vite Live on DVD

Sound is Terrible!!!

Daniel Landeros | 03/22/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The video quality is great, the camera angles are interesting but the sound is terrible! there are times in which you even hear the echo. I believe part of it has to deal with the fact that the location in which the concert took place is not designed for concerts, so the accoustics are terrible. I also think they only used the ambient mics to record the concert instead of a nice 5 channel mix fed from all the other mics. It's sad.. I was expecting a booming powerful sound from the bagpipes and all I got was a noisy concert with lots of echo.
If you're a fan of Corvus Corax is a must have. Because it is hard to actually see them performing live.."

The Kings of the Medieval Minstrels

John R. Harford | United States | 06/01/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having followed Corvus Corax for about 10 years, and managing attendance at several shows in Europe, I was thrilled to hear that Noir Records had finally brought these masters of medieval music to the United States.

This DVD is an excellent record of both old and new Corvus Corax performances. The Wave Gothic Treffen footage truly captures the amazingly synchronized yet sonorous live performances in the grand hall of the Agra. Their energy is visible even when distanced by camera and screen. The keynote songs all appear in their full version, showing off the piping, drumming, and vocal skills of this amazing band. The actual shooting style is very deliberate, showing off each member of the band and their role in a particular song. It allows close-ups that you simply can't get while watching a show from the audience. There are some great views of the various hand made instruments. I had no trouble with the sound of this production. It was very clear in 2.0 stereo, and when run through speakers external to the TV - provided enough volume to give the full impression of a Corvus Corax live show.

As an added bonus we see some older footage of the band playing after being tarred and feathered for their decadent lifestyle. Naturally, the "punishment" failed. And the band played on wearing only their humiliating and revealing feather coating.

In the end we see some great video of Corvus Corax during their first appearance in the United States of America. It is presented as the band's personal diary and impressions of the trip, but we are also treated to some great performance shots of the shows in Pennsylvania.

If you have any interest in Corvus Corax, you need this DVD. It has something for casual fans and fanatical followers alike.

Corvus Corax remains one of the few vestiges of an ancient tradition - not only in sound and appearance - but also in ethics. Prudent and mundane behavior goes by the wayside. These minstrels gladly illustrate the hedonistic ways that should be embraced by all who truly dare to call themselves "artists".

Watch this video, get out your drinking horn, and enjoy!"