SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BONNIE TYLER – IN BERLIN

BONNIE TYLER
IN BERLIN
earMUSIC

Bonnie Tyler made her recording debut in 1977 with the album The World Starts Tonight. But it was her second album, 1978’s Natural Force, which was released as It’s A Heartache in North America, that made her a household name with the top ten hit single “It’s A Heartache”. Since then, she has had numerous hits and albums. She has had many successful tours and has maintained a successful and brilliant career.

In 2019, following the release of her excellent Between The Earth And Stars, Tyler embarked on a tour, with a date in Berlin. The concert at the Admiralspalast was recorded and has been released as an excellent live album and souvenir from that tour. She was wise to record the concerts and choose this particular show to release. Other concerts were recorded but this particular concert is full of energy, excitement, brilliant playing, and powerful vocals from the remarkable Ms. Tyler.

In Berlin is not her first live album, in fact she released Live In Germany, 1993 in 2011. But what makes In Berlin so special is that it is more than just a greatest hits collection. Because she was promoting her new album at the time, Between The Earth And Stars, she performed a number of the songs from it.  Because that album is so strong and full of great songs, they fit well in performance. Those songs are performed well and it is great to hear her new songs mixed in with the older material.  For example, “Older” comes off beautifully live, and is the perfect way to end the album. “Move” and the title track “Between The Earth And Stars” are also powerful and Tyler brings a different energy than she does on the studio recording.

Other songs from older albums, such as “The Best” from 1988’s Hide Your Heart come off better live than on the original album. The same can be said for “Turtle Blues” from the same album. Although it was made famous by Janis Joplin, Tyler makes her own. It is nice to hear “Flat On The Floor” from 2013”s Rocks And Honey, and “Have You Ever Seen The Rain”, which brings goosebumps when she sings it live. “Faster Than The Speed Of Night” from 1983’s Faster Than The Speed Of Night is another song that comes to life in concert and it is caught beautifully with this live recording.

Fans will enjoy the hits as well, such as “Holding Out For A Hero” and the wonderful “Total Eclipse Of The Heart”. The singalong of “It’s A Heartache ” is fun, while her getting the crowd into “Total Eclipse Of The Heart ” is both heartwarming and downright exciting. She has a command of the crowd, and it is these moments that make listening to a live album enjoyable. And all of this is caught beautifully for this live album.

Bonnie Tyler is an artist that has produced a great deal of classic and wonderful albums. What this live recording does is demonstrate that she is much more than a singles artist and that she is able to present herself and her music in a very different light on stage. Her voice may have aged over time, but that is more than fine. This allows a certain maturity to music that has aged remarkably well. She is a very talented artist and In Berlin is further proof of her incredible ability to touch souls with her songs and voice.

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