Customer Reviews

Mirrorball

5 star:		(452)
4 star:		(50)
3 star:		(32)
2 star:		(17)
1 star:		(23)

 

 

Yes, it is a greatest hits collection. Yes, it contains songs that any Sarah fan havs heard many many times over. No, it is not the same. And, perhaps most importantly, no, it wasn't made "for the money." This is a superb piece of music, different from her recorded songs in that it is filled with much more energy than the dignified restraint so popular with her CDs. "Adia," here with its quietly intense, pleasatily morphed vocals, is a satisfying alternative to her mellow version on Surfacing. "I Love You" seems more sad and lonely than the studio version, as if Sarah is standing alone and whispering to the mirror. "Possession," however, is much more rough and powerful (due to McLachlan's effortlessly determined voice) and (my personal favorite) "Fumbling Towards Ecstacy" is pure perfection, with its impressive guitar and drum work rounding out McLachlan's passionate singing. In short, this CD is so good because it's the same, brilliant Sarah, packaged in a more intense package that's suitable for energetic listening, rather than the quiet solitude her studio music could more fully be appreciated in. Now, we have the best of both worlds.

I didn't know much about Sarah McLachlan before I bouth this CD, but now after listening to it for several months, she is one of my favorites. I wonder if it's because I heard this live album first, but when I listen to the studio albums, I don't think the songs are nearly as good as they are here. The studio versions I found somewhat wooden and cold by comparison, but live a great amount of emotion comes though. Sarah's voice is incredibly expressive and she gives flawless performances. It's really impressive for someone to sound so good live, and I like that she doesn't hide her voice behind tons of effects and other instruments. Gee she plays guitar and piano very nicely too, what more do you want? I also get the idea from how she interacts with the crowd that she's a genuinely nice person too. Maybe you don't care but it makes me appreciate her even more.

The production is very good, so you will not feel like you are compromising quality. I feel it's one of the best-sounding live albums I've heard, right up there with Supertramp's "Paris", Dire Straits' "Alchemy", and Joe Jackson's "Big World". Originally I only liked a few songs on this album. I'm glad I gave a few of the "disposable" ones a chance because now I love pretty much all of them -- there are no tracks that need skipping over here. There's a good range of emotional textures presented, from the semi-rocking (for a folk artist) "Building a Mystery", "Possession", and "Sweet Surrender", to fun to nostalgic power ballads like "Adia" and "Good Enough", to haunting and sad piano introspections "Do What You Have to Do" and "Angel".

I really hope some guys get over their anti-female-artist bias and try this album. Trust me this is NOT Britney Spears (no choreographed background monkeys here!). It's touching and intelligent and honest songwriting, sung by one of the most beautiful voices you will ever hear and it is well worth your fourteen bucks.

I would give this CD 5 stars if it was from anyone else. But, since it's Sarah, I have slightly higher expectations... also, I found the crowd noise distracting, as I tend to do on "live albums" that aren't a single concert. Also, I would have liked to see more of her earlier work. Specifically, "Vox", "Into the Fire", and "Drawn to the Rhythm" come to mind, although I don't know if she performs the latter two in concert. To me it comes across like a greatest-hits compilation in some ways. I recommend it for people who either: 1) Like Sarah from radio exposure and want the songs they've heard along with some new ones, but don't want to spend lots of money to buy all the CDs. 2) Sarah fans who'll buy anything just because it's Sarah. (I admit that at times I'm included in this group...) But it has its moments. Good Enough, Path of Thorns, and Angel come to mind. I don't think there's any songs that Sarah really ruined by putting on here... some people say I Love You sounds too similar to the studio version. What's wrong with that? It's still a good song.

I first heard Sarah Mclachlan only about 4 years back. However on my first hearing, I fell in love with her songs. When Mirrorball was realeased, I immediately bought it, expecting the same magic from her 'Surfacing' album. Sure enough I wasn't dissapointed. This cd has some of her best songs from her previous albums. They are all live performances recorded during her successful Lilith Fair tour. Some listeners may however find the live album irratating if they want to listen to the music alone. However if you're a big fan, then the fans screaming won't bother you at all!In fact you'd wish you were there at her concert singing "ice cream" with her and her fans together! This album is a stellar wether listening to it in a car, at home,at work, with friends, at bed. I recommend this album to old and new fans of Sarah Mclachlan. This is one of the most "non-dissapointing" albums . Some older fans may find some of their older favorites not included (like Vox),and it may be a bit of a let down. However instead of buying lots of other albums, buy this since it is packed with others all in one album!Her angelic voice belts out favorites like 'building a mystery,' 'adia,' 'i will remember you,' 'fumbling towards ecstasy,'etc.Buy it cause it has lots of her hits (old and new) packed in one!

I really enjoyed "Fumbling towards Ecstacy" and "Surfacing", but what I love most about "Mirroball" is the wonderful accoustics and just the overall sound of this cd. As opposed to her studio recordings, from which you can tell are recorded in a rather small room, Sara and her band really get a great sound on stage. She sounds every bit as good live as she does in her other recordings, and I happen to like her voice better live, because she is more expressive. This CD is definately worth checking out.

I am a huge Sarah McLachlan fan, and I love her more live. This album is an example of pure talent. A lot of artists today do not sound near as good live as they do in the studio. Sarah is a HUGE exception. Her voice seems so much more alive, haunting and sexy when she is singing live. She sings like an angel and the crowd is digging it.

Mirrorball is a compilation of Sarah's many popular songs that were recorded live at Lillith Fair. The song 'Possession' sounds 100% better live than it ever did on "Fumbling Towards Ecstasy." It sounds funky and Sarah and the band rocks out. 'Hold On' and 'Good enough' are just impossible to beat when compared to the studio recordings. One of my favorites is 'Ice Cream.' It is such a sweet, but simple love song. 'Angel' and 'I Love You' still leave chills up my spine when I listen to them. Sarah channels such emotion into her voice.

The Fans excitement on this album makes the music so much more exciting to listen to. This album belongs in any Sarah McLachlan fan. It is an excellent Live album. If you tend to be partial to Live recordings, you will really love this album. So, enjoy it.

I love live music, because I feel that you get to know the artist a little better, and feel what they are really trying to say. Sarah McLachlan is, in my opinion, one of the best at this. Listening to some of the songs, like "Possessions", "Angel", "Good Enough" and "Sweet Surrender" gave me chills.

If you are a fan of live music, pick this up, the recording quality is excellent, and the crowd interaction is great.

This CD made a Sarah McLachlan fan out of me! The CD is jam-packed with all of her hits, all live versions, and there isn't one weak track among them. It has all of my favourites, like "I will remember you", "Adia", and "Ice Cream", as well as other tracks I wasn't as familiar with, but are still great. I play this CD a lot, it's great to relax to, to study to, or just to have as background music. It comes highly recommended! Definitely worth the $.

Mirrorball is simply, simply beautiful. Sarah sounds less restrained in this CD than either Afterglow Live or Live Acoustic - though I love both of those CDs as well.

Building A Mystery ~ Building a Mystery is just a masterpiece. It hits you hard. I love how this version of Building A Mystery sounds - so choppy but so beautiful. "Holding on, holding it in"...you can just hear the emotion so clearly in Sarah's voice and the rash "you woke up screaming aloud" is only a slight surprise and just adds to the mood of the song. "You wear sandals in the snow and a smile that won't wash away, can you look out the window without your shadow getting in the way?"

Hold On ~ Hold On is simply amazing! A song that sticks with you forever. I've listened to the song so many times I can't even think of words to describe it - the beauty has just surpassed all words, filling up those little useless descriptions even further every time I hear it. "Hold on, hold on to yourself, 'cause this is gonna hurt like hell..." "So now you're sleeping peaceful, I lie awake and pray that you'll be strong tomorrow and we'll see another day"

Good Enough ~ Good Enough is lovely. A beautiful rendition of this song. Lovely, just lovely, as live Sarah always is. "Don't tell me I haven't been good to you, don't tell me I have never been there for you, just tell me why nothing is good enough"

I Will Remember You ~ By the time the first phrase is sung, you'll be capitivated. "I'm so tired I can't sleep, standin' on the edge of somethin' much too deep. Its funny how we feel so much, but can't say a word. We are screaming inside, but we can't be heard." The background vocals are a beautiful addition to the song, also. I just love this song deeply.

Adia ~ Adia is a truly beautiful song. Sarah always sounds perfect singing this song. "Adia, I do believe I've failed you"...Sarah is so, so beautiful in this song. "Its easy, we all falter...does it matter?" I love it, I love it, I love it.

I Love You ~ Sarah's voice sounds so heavenly in this song, with its whispered, breathy tones. However, its not a favorite of mine, although very beautiful. "But everytime I'm close to you, there's too much I can say...and you just walk away"

Do What You Have To Do ~ This song is more than amazing, more than beautiful, more than lovely, I can't express my love for it. I think this is my favorite Sarah song, and definitely one of my all-time favorite songs. Sad, flowing lyrics, telling of temptation and regret. "What ravages of spirit conjured this temptuous rage, created you a monster, broken by the rule of love"

The Path Of Thorns(Terms) ~ Beautiful. There's no other word to describe. "With fervor our dreams we planned a whole life long, now are scattered on the wind"

Fear ~ High and ethereal! Lovely! "Promises of a long-lost friend, speaks to me of comfort" "But I fear I have nothing to give, and I have so much to lose here in this lonely place"

Possession ~ "Listen as the wind blows across the great divide, voices trapped in yearning, memories trapped in time. The night is my companion, and solitude my guide - would I spend forever here and not be satisfied?" (This song really leaves no room for comment.)

Sweet Surrender ~ "Doesn't mean much, doesn't mean anything at all.." I LOVE this song. Its just awesome. A real gem! "Strip away the ugliness that surrounds me" The angelic background vocals add to the ethereal quality of this song.

Ice Cream ~ I never liked the "Ice Cream" on FTE, but I love this version! Adds a real new effect to the song when its live. I like how the audience takes a turn in this song :) "Its a long way down, its a long way down, its a long way down from the place that we started from"

Fumbling Towards Ecstasy ~ "Oh, all the fear has left me now, I'm not frightened anymore.." Simply beautiful. "And if I shed a tear I won't cage it, I won't fear love"

Angel ~ Angel just can't be improved. Lovely. "And everywhere you turn, there's vultures and thieves at your back, the storm keeps on twisting", "Its easier to believe in this sweet madness, in this glorious sadness"

OVERALL GRADE: 10/10! A must have!

I'm set to see Sarah in May, and I can't wait...but for now I'll have to settle with Mirrorball, Afterglow Live, and Live Acoustic. ;) I think I'll survive for now.

EVERY song on this song is a 5/5! Every SINGLE ONE, and there's no arguing on that point!

I've been a fan since "Touch". I've listened to just about every song Sarah McLachlan has done. By "Fumbling Towards Ecstasy" and "Surfacing", I didn't think it could get any better.

Boy, was I an idiot.

This CD has all the poetic, mystery-shrouded lyrics and musical talent I've come to expect from McLachlan, but with about ten times as much sheer passion. Live versions of "Possession", "I Love You" and "Fear" make the studio cuts seem meager and weak (of course, I still love 'em!), and the ever-bouncy "Ice Cream" far surpasses its original. In contrast, "Hold On" is a lot calmer and less angry, lending a peaceful charm that the "Fumbling" version just didn't possess. Every single song had just so much more energy; either that, or a different sort of energy. These ain't rehashes of the same old songs.

If you're a Sarah fan (or even if you are not), make sure you buy this CD. Otherwise, you will miss out on some of McLachlan's best work yet.