It seems to be a growing trend to release a CD/DVD combo once an artist or group has amassed a certain amount of following and back catalogue material. And if you’re good live why not? I personally love these packs although they make me slightly annoyed at the times when I had to buy both separately. Iv never been a huge fan of Tobymac but have liked enough of his songs to give him a few chances to impress me, and after being keen for a him to do a best of I gladly purchased this album with the hopes of hearing his best songs on CD and seeing what he’s like live. And that is a perfect overview of what you get here. Tobymac’s best of, presented live but with double the passion and energy they could ever capture in the studio.
Tobymac was one of the three men who made up DC Talk, one of the most innovative and successful Christian groups to date, but the Tobymac here or on any of his solo albums is far from alone, his group “the Diverse City band” are as important here as he is. Each member is given their own moments to shine and all accompany each other to great effect as each have their own talents and attributes that shine through on different songs, all of which floats around and compliments Tobmac brilliantly. That said, its clear it’s all about God and there is no one trying to claim any glory here, bible readings, prayers, speeches and continual pointing upward remind us what it’s all about.
The songs are superb, they really pick the best material from Tobymacs three studio albums as well as a good version of DC talk’s “Jesus freak” where Rebecca Barlow appears on stage to guitar with them (though you have to look really hard on the DVD to realise!)The crowd are involved and you can hear them sing along without drowning anyone out, and the recording isn’t too tinny or distorted there’s a very good balance. Whilst watching the DVD you’re enthralled and whilst listening to the CD you could close your eyes and picture being there because the energy comes across on both formats.
There are some great moments that stick in my mind from the DVD, one of the Diverse City band stand on top of a speaker toward the end and does a full back flip off a speaker nearly twice his size! There’s a great bit during “Jesus Freak” where everything stops mid song, the instruments, dances, everything and its like a freeze frame then suddenly all in sync they burst back into life it sent a shiver down my spine! There’s the bit right at the climax of the concert where Tobymac just runs and dives straight into the crowd. And there are many more it’s an amazing concert, it will make you wish you where there if you weren’t!
It’s hard to pick any stand out tracks from a superb collection but “ignition” is always one of my favourites and at the beginning of the concert it works excellently to give u a feel for what is ahead. “Jesus freak” is a fine nod back to Tobymacs previous outings with DC Talk. “Burn for you” is a wonderful track with a beautiful guitar rift that’s very well sang, one for the crowd to join in with and though less lively than some of the other tracks its one that gets you moving in other ways and helps show the diversity of Tobymac and his band. “Extreme days” is just a rip roaring adrenaline fuelled anthem from Tobymac’s first album and stands out at the end of the concert.“Catchafire (Whoopsi daisy) is great fun, another sing along catchy tune for the crowd to get into.
This is one heck of a good concert, fuelled with passion, energy and love for God that comes across plenty with Tobymacs bible readings and talks with the crowd, and then the documentary on the DVD shows the serious side of where he’s at and why he does it all. Though he’s not a young man, he has twice the energy of many people half his age and this comes out in abundance on this CD/DVD. The sheer value of getting two for one and knowing how good Tobymac and Diverse City are live should get you excited, but if not, trust me its fantastic. Hip Hop, pop, rock, R&B, metal, even jazz there are so many genres and music tastes present here without ever feeling lost or confused about what it’s trying to be.
Ben Sutton Rating 5 out of 5 stars.
Standout Tracks
Ignition
Jesus Freak
Extreme Days
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