Warszawa

Porcupine Tree | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 31, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Madfish Records UK
• ASIN: B0006TMXUK
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #291,111 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Even Less

2. Slave Called Shiver

3. Shesmovedon

4. Last Chance To Evacuate Planet Earth....

5. Lightbulb Sun

6. Russia On Ice

7. Where We Would Be

8. Hatesong

9. Stop Swimming

10. Voyage 34

11. Signify

Editorial Reviews

The second CD to be issued on Porcupine Tree's Transmission label is a live in the studio recording made by Polish radio during the band's 2001 tour (the last with Chris Maitland on drums). Also in the studio during the broadcast were an invited audience of Polish fans who helped to make the atmosphere on the night & on this recording so special, & the band consider this to be one of their best performances. Snapper. 2004. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 2001 European Tour Live In Poland, March 17, 2005

By 

William Scalzo (Niagara Falls, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Warszawa (Audio CD)

It's been a long wait since In Absentia until the upcoming new CD, so to help pass the time I snagged this up when I spotted a single copy at the music store. I'm glad I did, but I'm a PT convert so that didn't surprise me.

Steven Wilson and company are fantastic live, away from all of Wilson's studio wizardry. There's bands that can't play live and bands who can, and Porcupine Tree definitely can. The band's inventive arrangements make this interesting even if you have the studio albums.

Wilson's guitar solos take the tastefulness and bluesy tone of David Gilmour and mix it with a dose of acid-rock wah-wah, some strummed acoustic and a dash of metal. Richard Barbieri's atmospheric keyboards range from prog to electronica but stay mostly on the prog side. Colin Edwin's bass is outstanding as always, if a bit undermixed here. The now departed Chris Maitland was a monster on drums.

Porcupine Tree is in my opinion quite simply the best band working in the progressive rock field these days, and this live collection bears this out. Can't wait for the new one!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Perfect Way To Appreciate The Songs Until The Albums Are Reissued, February 21, 2006

By 

fats "al" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Warszawa (Audio CD)

On this CD, their is a collection of songs that Porcupine Tree played in Poland for a radio broadcast. All the songs from the set are included except Tinto Brass.

Since Stupid Dream and Lightbulb Sun have been out of print for ages, and aren't being remastered and reissued until this summer, what better way to enjoy them then in their powerful live forms?

Warszawa is arguably one of the finest live albums I've ever heard. The songs range from dramatic to intense, to soft and fluffy to pure psychedelia. Porcupine Tree is truly a kaleidoscope of sound and texture, and the songs on this album lose no quality in their live translations- in fact, the ideas are expanded and built on.

Song By Song Review:

1.) Even Less- This song is truly a powerful opener, and the crowd couldn't be more excited when the band is announced to the stage. The song is a great example of "new" Porcupine Tree, leaving their progressive roots and taking a more commercial approach to music while maintaining their artistic integrity. Beautiful words atop cerebral music- bliss. 5/5

2.) Slave Called Shiver- This was the song that got me hooked on Porcupine Tree- in fact, it was this version. The song gets an adrenaline shot live, and speeds along while Steven sings and beats the hell from his guitar. Colin could not possibly be cooler as he plays the liquid bassline, and perfectly moves against the incredibly tight drums. Richard Barbieri's sonic contributions to the piece give it that final Porcupine Tree stamp. Perfection, one of the finest tunes on the album. 5/5

3.) Shesmovedon- Any fan of Porcupine Tree should know this song- bass-y chorus and a chorus that'll keep you singing for weeks. Put this on loud, and sing til the neighbors go deaf. 5/5

4.) Last Chance To Evacuate Planet Earth Before It Is Recycled- This song is a two-parter: The acoustic part one gives us a wonderful story of teenage love, while part two, seemingly out of left field, is much more heavy acoustic guitar, with floating keyboards and a backdrop tape of the man behind all the mass suicides. It sounds odd, but then again, Wilson is the sample master. Listen and enjoy, this song rules. 5/5

5.) Lightbulb Sun- Hit after hit after hit on this record. Lightbulb Sun is a great song, featuring brilliant lyrics and music that could only be Porcupine Tree. Listen and enjoy. 5/5

6.) Russia On Ice- This song slows thing down, but is still a great song. I would have prefered one of their earlier instrumentals or songs compared to this, but its still a fantastic song. 4/5

7.) Where We Would Be- Get ready to get teary- Wilson is able to inspire any emotion he wants out of the crowd, including sadness, as good as any of the great singers out there. His high notes have just a bit of crack to bring tears to one's eyes- you'll need a hanky during this one. 5/5

8.) Hatesong- The motherload. This song is absolutely great, and Wilson's minimalist playing perfectly counters the cool bassline and the drum work. It moves along slowly and cooly, lurking, until all hell breaks loose mid-way, and the solo kicks in. Turn the bass all the way up on the speakers, and feel your house shake. 5/5

9.) Stop Swimming- Not my favorite song in the world. Steven says its one of his sad songs, but I reserve that spot for Where We Would Be. A good song, but nothing overly spectacular. 3/5

10.) Voyage 34- THE psychedelic masterpiece, with part one played completely live, samples and all. The band brings brilliant new energy to the piece, and truly makes it shine to perfection. Enjoy this song, as it is one of the most unique things you'll ever hear. 5/5

11.) Signify- Yay! Another oldie! From the album of the same title, we get another trick out of the old Porcupine Tree hat, a stunning instrumental played with amazing precision. Although I miss Tinto Brass, this song is a perfect note to end on. 5/5

There you have it- a 79 minute and 19 second album packed to the brim with music- and great music to boot. As if the music weren't enough, it is packaged in a beautiful digipack.

Even if you aren't a big fan of Porcupine Tree, get this album and become one. For those who are already fans, purchase this and hear some of the finest versions of the Stupid Dream/Lightbulb Sun songs ever, and await the reissues patiently!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Porcupine Tree Live in Poland 2001, August 13, 2007

By 

Richard Thompson "Music Fanatic" (El Paso, Texas) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Warszawa (Audio CD)

This new Digipak version is a re-release of an earlier Madfish Records UK release from 2005. As a Porcupine Tree fan and music listener for the majority of my life, I can tell you, this is one excellant concert recording.

The performance is from a Polish radio show broadcast that included a small in studio audience. The performance was right on the heels of the Lightbulb Sun tour, so most of the songs performed are from that album. A couple more from Stupid Dream, Voyage 34 (Phase One), and the title track off the Signify album. This is a real treat, since the Lightbulb Sun album has been out-of-print for a long time now. This was my first chance to hear the songs (I'm still waiting for the rumoured re-release this fall).

I'm not going to try and give you a full description of the music on this album, if you need that, please see the Amazon Review by "fats al" of the 2005 version dated February 22, 2006. He does an excellant job. I just didn't think it would be right to cut and paste it here!

This cd is also a great bargain: it's packed to the brim with music. 79 minutes and 19 seconds worth of beautiful live PTree music for only $12. I will say track 8, Hatesong, is absolutely the Best! 5-stars!