DMOH

Live! It Up

Reel Loud Records

14 tracks @ 70:39

            This is a CD version of the live concert DVD that we recently reviewed.  Although their studio CDs are great, Denver and the Mile High Orchestra are best experienced live.  This disk does a great job at capturing the band’s energy.  Even my wife said this is one of the best live disks that she’s heard.  “There are no studio tricks here,” says executive producer Reid Ribble, “just Denver and the Mile High Orchestra doing what they do over 100 times a year-full out vocal performance and high energy horns backed by one of the best rhythm sections in music today.”

            “Never Gonna Say” makes effective use of call and respond.  How’s this for a hybrid:  Christian big band rap?  It shows up on “Get Down,” which ends with a house-shaking, rumbling explosion.

            Besides some of DMHO’s best known songs, this disk also includes big band arrangements of some classic hymns, including “It Is Well” and “All Hail the Power.”

            Recommended.

- Rob S.

            www.denvermho.com