Afterglow - Live - Sarah McLachlan DVD Review

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DVD Review

Fall into the arms of an angel for a 140 minutes. This fantastic double-package by Canada's finest songwriter,but not singer(that prize goes to K.D.Lang).Sarah McLachlan brings 2004's wonderful Afterglow collection to the live arena.After a lengthy hiatus,that included her mother's death and birth of daughter India,it was a welcomed return for the highly acclaimed Canadian contemporary-folk star.Caught on film during her nine week tour she thrilled the huge venue with songs that were also lifted from previous albums Fumbling Towards Ecstasy (1993) and Surfacing (1997).In a relaxed mood, flanked by a wonderful set and band, ( with some outstanding guitar work by Sean Ashby), she played her own favourite songs from a now considerable back-catalaogue.Delighted to re-engage with her adoring fanbase,it was clearly a great thrill to be on the road again.

Technically,it's standard filming(multi angled shots)of her performance at the huge Molson Amphitheatre Toronto,but a real music lover's concert.The setlist was badly balanced,as there are long periods of similar paced songs,until it picks up a pace towards the final quarter.McLachlan first came to my attention a few years ago via her brilliant single Angel.If Dido(with whom she's regularly compared with) hadn't hit the big time in 2001,she would have become the new sensation in the UK.The three-time Grammy award winner,found herself needing to change her songwriting methods for Afterglow.Her normal practice of endless months in a log cabin writing songs was reshaped by the arrival of her first child,as she could only manage a couple of hours a day,which makes this album even more remarkable.Bringing the album to life turned out to be a masterstroke.It brought her back into the limelight in front of sell - out crowds on both sides of the Atlantic last year.Most of the set consists of slow to mid-tempo melancholic ballads,broken here and there in the last stage by some effective rockier sojourns,that lift the atmosphere considerably.Whether it be piano,electric or acoustic guitar,she delivers the goods.

Extras include a short peak into her pre-concert preparations and leisure time in Lighthouse Park Vancouver,lyrics page and merchandise details.

You can also experience most of the gig on a 70 minute CD.

Star tracks: Stupid,Witness,Angel,Fallen,Adia,Train Wreck and Ice Cream.

Elly Roberts