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It's Zimmer Time!

Greetings from The Music Bowl! I'm The Wonderfish.

Just when I thought I couldn't be more obsessed with Hans Zimmer's work, along comes his Live in Prague concert DVD.

I fully admit to pausing the film at certain times because I became too emotional. The choir threw off my concentration right away. Let's be honest, you rarely see a choir sing with a live orchestra unless you're in that line of work. Their voices, combined with the orchestrations, caused both incredible joy and deep sadness throughout the concert. Musicians played instruments in this orchestra that I had never seen before, so I am now further intrigued and even more curious about this work of art.

Originally, I thought by viewing this concert I would find answers. However, I ended up with question after question. Within the first twenty minutes, I'd say I had at least ten questions, including:

1) How much time is spent preparing for a tour like this?
2) How many technicians are involved with the live show?
3) How many people auditioned to be in this tour, if they indeed had to audition?
4) How does Zimmer keep all of these parts straight?
5) Who is the lead guitar player (because he is unbelievable)? Heard informed me that his name is Guthrie Govan. He rocks. Thanks, Heard.
6) Did they play more shows in Europe than they did in the USA?
7) Does Zimmer have anything to do with the stage setup/lighting design?
8) How does music have the power to transport you to another time and place in your mind?
9) Is long hair a requirement for all guitarists who shred?
10) Is Zimmer a happy person in general or is he happiest on stage performing his music?

Highlights:
-Crimson Tide drum break
-Mike Einziger in a guitar trio
-The original singers from The Lion King; I dare you to watch the end of Circle of Life and not smile!
-The pan pipe player is spot on! What a rock star!
-The slow build up and dynamics of both the Man of Steel and Thin Red Line performances, wow, these are intense!
-The guitars in Electro
-Getting sucked into the strings of The Dark Knight Trilogy; the brass section is so compelling here and the entire trilogy consumes you.

What did I learn? I learned that one reason why I love Zimmer's work is because of its percussive traits. When I was younger, one of my dream jobs was to be a Miami Sound Machine percussionist. Zimmer's work is filled with drums and percussion. I learned that I love an orchestra and choir more than I ever realized. It's safe to say that I enjoy the films because of these scores, but not solely because of these scores.

If you like orchestras, you should definitely check this film out. What a concert performance it is! I give it two fins up and a tail! Shark's in the water! See you next week.
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