Age Discrimination Movie Reviews

The entire DVD is refreshing, just what you would expect from this ground breaking group of talented musicians, and just for good measure the London Symphony joins in, plus a full motion in DVD 5.1 Surround Sound, what more could one ask for. This album is what you hoped for and more, don't pass this one up...and extraordinary collection from the "King of New Age", outstanding and original...Chip Davis has done it again...another WINNER! There is a wide variety of styles on this DVD, loaded with exciting and intriguing arrangements. "The Heart and the Feather" is wonderful, as is the "Greek Thinkers Suite", being of Greek descent I'm a little prejudice. "The Steamroller" gives the viewer just what they want to see and hear ~ ENTERTAINMENT! Love the "Back To The Future", touch with saxophones, and I thought the different style of this piece was a nice change. Mannheim Steamroller compositions never should be put into any certain category, though; whether they like it or not, I think "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and "Joy To The World" is the epitome of Mannheim. This DVD is excellent for another journey into the world of science and exploration into the mind and body of the creatures that roam this planet Earth.

So step right up and buy a ticket to a trip to infinity and beyond, all through the eyes of Chip Davis and his friends The Mannheim Streamroller, gotta love it!

The DVD version is really the way to experience Fresh Aire 8. The sound is incredible, the videos are pleasant enough (though the Fractals video could just be a screensaver), and the insights from Chip Davis are truly the next generation of liner notes!

The DVD isn't flawless. Some of the videos are cheesy, and the Greek Philosophers' Suite plods along a little too slowly for my taste. But you have to admire the sheer amount of work that went into this project. More importantly, the music from Fresh Aire 8 suddenly seems better when paired with the images. Chip admits that he wrote the music as a score for these videos (unlike most artists who do it the other way around), so may account for why the CD version didn't hold up as well. Just like how a movie soundtrack is less effective without the movie.

I've been a bit rough on Chip Davis over the past few months. His Ambience albums weren't up to Fresh Aire standards and Christmas Extraordinaire paled in comparison to the first two Christmas albums. But he really came through here. If you're a Steamroller fan, you ought to get this, even if you already have the CD version.

I've been a fan of Patrick's music for years, and this was just what I was waiting for - a chance to hear his music coupled with visuals, a match made in heaven. I have problems finding a musician who makes more picturesque music than Patrick; Fortney clearly made the right choice when turning to him.

If you've seen the opening credits of the movie "White Sands" from 1992, a film which Patrick scored, then you know how this DVD looks like - terrific recordings of deserts, oceans, waterfalls, mountains, forests and skies put to O'Hearn's music.

The music material is taken from all but two of his solo albums; "Rivers Gonna Rise" and "Eldorado" is not featured, probably because these two albums are a bit too "poppy" to fit with the visuals. But when that is said, I wouldn't have had problems finding a track from each of those too.

There is a couple of tracks I miss, like "Devil's Lake" and "Sacrifice" from "Indigo", but you can't have all. The last track on the DVD was a surprise to me, as long as I don't have the "Ancient Dreams" album, which this track "Beauty In Darkness" is taken from. That song is another Patrick O'Hearn classic, I especially love the end with those tender piano tones which segues into those last great words from Roosevelt.

A DVD for any music lover with taste and feeling. If you like this you should check out the "Visions" DVD from Spotted Peccary Music and Enigma's "Remember The Future" DVD.

I recommended also for Patrick O'hearn's fans music. Last track is Ancient Dream beauty version, very "So Flows...".

Congratulations also to Fortney. WHAT A GREAT TEAM!!!!!!!!

The biggest complaint I have for this DVD is the lighting and videography. Too often the camera catches the subjects in the shadows, or a glare coming from the lights reflecting off of the instruments, or a haze created by the lighting of the stage. Also, there are some puzzling shots of the landscape surrounding the outdoor theater. Still, the performances are well worth the price of the DVD as they capture a moment in time when "New Age" music came into its own.