A few weeks ago, I got an email from a fellow who represented M80 … I was quickly flying through all of my spam emails at the time, and my finger poised above the delete key as my eyes scanned what I was sure was yet another “come-on” …

My attention settled on the words:

For your help or review, I would be happy to send you a copy of Yanni Live! on DVD or CD. Please let me know if you’re interested!

Well now! That caught my interest! Less than a week earlier, I had told my son that I wanted to find some of Yanni’s music, because several people had told me recently that they thought I would enjoy him. Getting this offer by email seemed like a very timely event! I was not only going to be able to hear what sort of music Yanni creates, but I was also going to get to do it for free! I eagerly replied to the kind fellow from M80, and agreed to his proposition.

As soon as I sent off the email, however, I began to worry … what if I don’t like Yanni? What will I write?

As it turns out, I was concerned over nothing! I not only enjoyed the DVD, I’ve decided that I’m going to do my best to collect all of his music!

On the DVD, there’s selection called a “Backroom Pass” … which I enjoyed first. It was far more than a mere glimpse backstage … we got to meet quite a few of the musicians who worked together for the event, and I was given my first taste of what went into the production … and what makes Yanni’s music different from so many others …

The Live event included musicians from all around the world, each bringing his or her own talent, culture, language, style of music, religion … in short, unique qualities which were freely blended into the final work. The multicultural influence, which was harmonized into a singularly inimitable whole, produced a result that I would be hard put to classify succinctly … strains of the Far East blended evocatively and rousingly with the descant of a full voiced soprano … and dulcimers melded with didgeridoos … as lasers and light shows completed the total enrapture of the senses!

Before watching this DVD, I thought that Yanni was “just another New Age musician” … but now I know, he’s much, much more. This is a classic … although I believe that it will continue to defy being pigeonholed into any particular niche.

If you like music, daring music, I recommend Yanni Live! The Concert Event. Impressive and unforgettable.