Grammatrain
Live 120798
Reviewed by A Girl Called Gordon
1998 brought a sad occasion, the break-up of a fantastic band...Grammatrain. This album, recorded live at Christmas Rock Night in Hagen Germany, sums up the trio's career very well. Pete Stewart's strong vocals matched by the equally strong bass of Dalton Roraback, kept together with the guiding beats of Paul Roraback's driving drums. Production, done by Trevor Michael of ICC Studios, is top-notch. The mix was done very well, unlike some live recordings. Playing songs from Flying, Lonely House and covering Larry Norman's "Six O'Clock News," I don't think the audience was disappointed; I mean, all my favorite Grammatrain songs are on here! Starting out with "Less of Me," "Execution," "Pain," and "Fuse," I thought I was in Heaven. Then came "Flying," "Believe," and a wonderful speech by Stewart and how he has grown through the band. He also explained that he is on the stage not because he is something wonderful, but because of the grace of God and the gift God has given him and the Roraback brothers. They do what they do - for and because of God. Stewart let the audience (and listeners) in on a secret . . . he knows almost no German! The crowd went wild over "Jonah" . . . not a big surprise. Before playing "Six O'Clock News," Stewart made it known how much respect he has for Larry Norman . . . quite a lot! Anyway, this is a definite must. You may have Lonely House. You may have Flying. What you also need is Grammatrain Live 120798. This is a great completion to a great band.