Third Day

Live Revelations

Isn’t it funny how some things are pretty inevitable when you look at the circumstances. For example a singer auditioning on "Pop Idol" who proudly announces to the viewing public that they are really good is probably heading for a one way ego trip. Then you hear about another boy band breaking up and you know that sometime in the future they’ll have a big reunion and milk the nostalgia fans once again. So, when I heard that Third day was playing some concerts with Jars of Clay, Switchfoot annnndd Robert Randolph you could just hear the decision makers saying “Whoa we need to get some of that on tape”. And viola, here is what they produced. OK so it’s not quite a full concert of those events as it’s Third Day’s album but this is might be as close as we sad sacks in the DEEP South get to experiences the tour. 

The DVD itself follows Third Day around backstage, on the road and playing some of the songs live. It’s a great behind the scenes look at the life of that strange beast known as the touring musician and there are some killer performances from the band captured on video. “Revelation” (the studio album) has plenty of lively songs on it and it’s a treat to see and hear them captured on a live stage with all its energy. The throw down favourite from the album “Otherside” is also here thanks to the participation of Robert Randolph on the tour and the results are impressive to say the least. You can hear he’s a monster slide guitarist on his recordings but to watch him in action is something else. There’s also a cover version of U2’s “When love comes to town” performed by all the bands on tour and I love the interplay of vocals between four of the best.

In the midst of all the rock and roll good time a poignant moment is thrown in with the visit by the band to some of the "Habitat for Humanity" houses that were being built for those affected by hurricanes in Florida. It might seem a bit self promoting to have shots of the guys sawing wood and hammering nails, but the fact is that they do genuinely support the organisation and after hurricane Katrina they were one of the first to give to help out with rebuilding efforts.

The album is certainly nothing we haven’t seen before, Third Day have been quite steady in their release of live albums and DVDs but it’s always good to watch them in action and although their tour to SA in November isn’t going to include all the other acts (*sigh*) this set still shows us what we’re in for and it’s looking promising.

PREVIOUS LIVE RECORDINGS BY THIRD DAY: "Live Wire", "Come together" DVD, "Offerings" 1 and 2.

IF YOU LIKE THEM CHECK OUT: Well Mac’s voice means they’re pretty unique but acts that follow a similar pattern include Mercyme, Casting Crowns and David Crowder.

RANDOM FACTOID: Third Day is named after the number of days it took playing together before they had their first hit song. Ok not really but there’s not a whole lot of random facts you can come up with about a band that’s already really familiar so I made up one. Sorry. BUT… They are really coming to South Africa in November!