Customer Reviews

Staring Down the Brilliant Dream

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

How do they do it? After a few live albums and DVDs (including the amazing "1200 Curfews"), the Indigo Girls deliver another gift to their fans.

"Staring Down the Brilliant Dream," like "1200 Curfews," isn't a coherent concert, nor is it meant to be. Instead, it's a collection of live recordings, each chosen for its particular energy, and man, does it connect. We get the passionate arena rock of "Go" and "Tether," two tracks that really need a stage to come alive; we get the plaintive melodies of "Come on Home" and "Moment of Forgiveness" (which really shimmers as a ballad); we get the inspired country folk of "Ozilline" and "Watershed"; we even get some choice covers and great guest appearances.

The Girls have been playing together for 25 years; we could forgive them if they went through the motions now and then. In fact, some of their recent studio cuts have been missing that spirit that made the Girls gel; while their harmonies and interplay remained strong, they have at times sounded less like a band and more like professionals backing each other's solo material. But "Brilliant Dream" is the work of a band who loves to sing and play together. Listen, for example, to Amy and Emily spiral around each other in "Fill it Up Again" - this is the most joyfully coherent the Girls have sounded in years. And while they've each grown technically proficient, both as writers and performers, there's never a sense of slick professionalism. These songs were chosen for obviously personal reasons, and both Amy and Emily sing like they're genuinely trying to communicate, which gives true resonance to songs you may have glossed over.

Listening to the artistic and emotional growth of the Indigo Girls over the years has been a true pleasure. "Staring Down the Brilliant Dream" is nothing less than a gift, a reward for being a fan. Those of us who never miss their shows understand how deeply they connect in concert, even when they're not at their happiest; it's a wonder that a recording can capture that feeling so perfectly. Well done, girls.

Amy and Emily interact with their band and guest musicians to create more depth and complexity to each of these songs. Nearly all of these live songs eclipse their studio versions. The addition of Julie Wolf's keyboard and vocals on many of these tunes creates a softness that allows for a lot greater musical experimentation than you might see if only Amy and Emily were on stage.

Even the dedicated Indigo Girls fan will likely be surprised by the beauty of "Salty South," the foot-stomping meditation of "Devotion," the musicianship on "Closer to Fine," and the new twists in "Shame on You." It's awesome to see that this duo has been making music together now for 25 years and are still able to keep it fresh while crafting new material that, in special moments, far eclipses much of their earlier work.

I was fortunate enough to see both ends of this tour. The Harrisburg concert (which is represented in this collection)and the Tower theater in Philadelphia. I knew that there would be a recording of this tour because of the vibe that was given at the shows. The Indigo Girls were at the top of their game and they were having fun. The audience picked up on this and really gave it their all. This is a very loyal fan base. They sing on tempo and on pitch! This recording is a wonderful collection from a great tour. The packaging is very nice and reflects the care Ms Sailors and Ray put into their music.

ANOTHER LIVE album ?! Right on the heels of the 'LIVE @ The Roxy' DVD ?!
Can't say that I was all that excited about this release when I saw it.
BUT....after reading a few of the Reviews here from True Fans who KNOW
'The Gospel' as only us True IG Concert-Goers know it,
I figured I needed to check this one out.

The first thing that is striking is the SOUND QUALITY.
--- Absolutely Stunning for any LIVE Recording !
I guess we sometimes don't notice the HUGE LEAPS Technology has been taking all around us
until you hear something 10 years apart, and it hits you right between the eyes.
Friggin' WOW ! (and very little flutter !) :P

Then as you get into this Package, and see how lovingly it was put together,
with all the Guest Artists & Special Moments, you realize that this is not
just another Live album just for the fun of it. This is more like a carefully
packaged GIFT for loyal Family & Friends, (kinda reminds me of "KISS Alive!" in a way, in that vein)
and a celebration of how far Amy, Emily, & Company have come since their aloof & modest beginnings.

There is PROOF here also, that some nights with The Girls, are absolute MAGIC, and all the Stars
& Planets seem to align themselves together and beam their Light right down upon The Stage, The Band, & The Fans,
as if God Him/Herself was smiling and grooving and watching and listening in approval that very Evening,
and it is uncanny how The Girls seem to have pinpointed and selected Highlights from those particular nights,
in this Collection.

I know, because I was at one of those Shows (Yountville, California June 24, 2008),
and this was one of those truly Special Evenings, performed at a Veterans Camp/Center/Hospital,
and there were many Old Timers, Patients, Disabled Veteran Soldiers, and many other older folks who
were quite moved and touched by the Love and Generosity of the Fans and The Band,
not to mention the Beauty and sincerity of the Music !
The COOLEST thing though...is when I listened to the Featured Track from this show ;
'Moment of Forgiveness'... and I heard MYSELF ! I am the distinct but distant whistler at the Bridge,
and at the End of the Song. Now THERE's a "Kodak Moment" if I could ever ask for one !
I'm on an Indigo Girls album ! "YAY for ME ! I friggin' ROCK ! " Gotta LOVE it ! :)

Another such Magical Show was at The Luther Burbank Center for The Arts in Santa Rosa, California;
July 12th 2005, where there was an obviously Virgin-eared crowd of affluent, jaded wine-drinking professional
Baby-Boomers and crusty Woodstock Hippies, who had heard the word-of-mouth whispers that the Indigo Girls were
the New "In Thing" to go check out on a warm Summer Evening when you've got nothing better to do,
and you need some Daily Event on which to spend your Gobs O' Money. Boy were they in for a revelation !
The Acoustics, The Set List, and The Band were Jaw-Droppingly Groovin' & Gorgeous on that night also.
"Chickenman" rocked the House to pieces ! Too Bad it didn't make it onto this disc.
But I betcha it was a Candidate !

You may not feel the intended IMPACT of this Album, unless you actually frequent Indigo Girls Concerts regularly.
Just the same....it's a Great Package to own, and an absolute Treasure of an album.

Don't get me wrong, this is yet another worthy addition to the Indigo Girls catalog and I will certainly be playing this one often. Staring Down The Brilliant Dream is the second essential collection of live recordings from the Indigo Girls (the first being the 1995 release: 1200 Curfews. Like 1200 Curfews, this 2 disc set features numerous (31 of them!!) live tracks of IG songs spanning the past decade of albums. Yes. Some of the "old" favorites are here as well. The songs Closer to Fine, Kid Fears and Prince of Darkness are all-time IG classics and are always good to hear. A nice bonus for any "Girls" fan is that you get to hear some live tracks from their latest album as well (something their recent DVD release "Live at the Roxy" didn't have). Ok. So why only four stars? Because this CD lacks a little bit of the edge, rawness and intimacy that 1200 Curfew's had. On Staring Down The Brilliant Dream you get plenty of live songs, but on 1200 Curfew's, you got all this plus some of the story before the songs, you got more songs that weren't on any of their albums and the result is, 1200 Curfews captures a much more significant moment in the IG's career. Maybe the intent was to fit in as many live songs as possible on 2 discs. I wholely appreciate that, but as a fan, I must draw the comparisons to 1200 Curfews and in that, Staring Down The Brilliant Dream comes up a little short. That being said, there is still much to like about this collection and it is still a very worthwhile purchase. I should mention that the packaging, pictures and notes on this disc are superior to that of 1200 Curfews.

To conclude, I'll repeat what I've said in some of my other reviews: I think the Indigo Girls are the best American songwriters today. Do yourself a favor and listen to their music.

This Live CD is breathtaking! Anyone who has had the soul satisfying pleasure of experiencing an Indigo Girls concert will appreciate the absloute perfection of the sound quality. This CD transports the listener to the vibrant sounds and crowd reactions from the initial seconds of the CD through the finger licking finish. I can HEAR Amy smiling with their fans during the very appreciated audience howls during "Devotion". Their appreciation for audience participation almost eclipses that of their awestruck fans. As a veteran fan of the Girls since college in the early 1990's, the songs are among my very favorite to date and a complete joy to hear. An extra bonus is that I have been at several of the concerts they selected. I haven't put this CD back in it's box since I purchased it several months ago. Emily and Amy are an absolutely amazing duo worthy of the greatest accolades. The performances on this CD and exceptional, personal lyrics and tunes will satiate any musical craving. Their graceful and technically exceptional guitar and brilliant harmonies will take any fan to a new level of appreciation.

The best folk-rock outfit of the last twenty years just put out their third live album, this one spanning 31 tracks. The songs are great, but there's often so little difference from the studio versions that the whole effort becomes inessential. The previous live double-album "1200 Curfews" offered several cover songs, but this one only has Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice." This sort of collection is geared at the fans who want as many versions of each track as can be had. The liner notes and photos are a nice touch, and the first edition comes packaged inside a small book instead of a standard CD case.

If you're just discovering Amy and Emily, you'll be better served buying the original albums; you'll be glad you did.

I have always enjoyed the Indigo Girls and this album is very unique and superior. Its has the group doing selections from many live shows complete with special guest musicians, yet the CD plays continuously like you are listening to one complete concert. This has not left my stereo now for 24 hours staright as I'm hearing songs I love and a whole selection of new ones for me that are outstanding, if you like the group it a must have and if you want to get to know them this is the way to go. I have to say its my feve album of the year!

Once again the Indigo Girls come up trumps with 'Staring Down the Brilliant Dream'. Listening to this CD took me right back to being at one of thier concerts. Such a great vibe and amazing music.

I had the chance to see this tour back in October '10 in Scranton, PA, so it's been a winner for me since that night. What a great duo of vocal harmony- there aren't any other artists who can make magic out of lyrical voices like these 2! They've been my favorites for almost 25 years! I don't usually EVER buy live CD's, but this one is worth it. A great retrospective collection.