Customer Reviews

Live at the Acropolis

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Coming from a rabid Kodo fanatic like myself, this review is biased, but rightfully so. This CD rules... From the first song, a re-worked mix of Leonard Eto's Zoku (which is both driving and joyous), to the always-impressive Odaiko solo (which captures a lot of the strength and intensity of the soloist, Eiichi Sato,) the CD is paced very well. The last song/encore is Akabanar, which starts out as Ryutaro Kaneko's piece (on Ibuki, their next CD) and becomes the familiar cornucopia of patterns, rhythms, and energy that makes a great Kodo encore. There is a video of this performance that I highly recommend to get the full effect of what this recording looked like, but the CD is crisp, full of the performer's and audience's energy, and worth buying if you're even slightly curious!

Absolutely a Mind boggling performance! Truly one of Kodo's best works in my mind. Oh the envy I felt for all those individuals that were at this concert, in the flesh, when it was happening. There in the Worlds most famous and ancient Amphitheater. The rhythms, the sounds, THE BASS! reverberating off those ancient walls. Echoing throughout Athens, carried for miles and miles until it envelopes all of the city......I DROOL! The Video "Kodo Live at the Acropolis" is a must own and a must see for those that have this album....Take it from me, order a couple of them...I'm already on my third VHS tape of this performance. I have watched it so much, and wore it out so bad....Must have on DVD!

The CD is from 1995 and needs a bit of remastering for today's digital equipment. If it were not for that this CD probably would have gotten a higher rating. Nevertheless, the sound was fine and the energetic performance by Kodo is worthy of a listen. If you have never experienced Japanese taiko drums, sample this CD or better yet purchase the DVD. I wished I had purchased the DVD so I could see the performance as well. Those huge drums and the coordination between the drummers makes for incredible sound and an awesome show when done correctly. It must have been transcendeant for Kodo to be drumming in the incredible Acropolis. As with all great art & music the experience transports you. Maybe it was because I had not been doing my Reiki healing rounds at the hospital and had some energy building up in me, but when I listened to the CD I felt kundalini energy pulsing in my body...WOW.