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Watched about half of this last night. A few observations, strictly from my point of view:

While I'd heard NST on the radio in the background a few times, my first real introduction to John's music was when I was browsing my local music store one night back in early '03, where they were playing a track from AGT (Covered In Rain) on their speaker system. Not only was I was instantly hooked, I was blown away to learn it was the "NST guy" that was ripping that now familiar guitar solo. I walked out of the store that evening with the AGT and RFS CDs, and the AGT DVD, and I'm still here today. So I offer this to those of you who sound somewhat disappointed that this doesn't live up to, or feel they won't watch/listen to WTLI as often as AGT.

There never WILL be another AGT. Just as there will never be another first time you successfully got up on two wheels and rode a bike, or first kiss, first time you fell in love, hell, first ANYTHING (I think you get where I'm coming from). Although I recognize that John already had a good sized following at the time AGT was recorded (otherwise there obviously would not have been an AGT in the first place), he was still relatively undiscovered by the mass media. I remember taking it home the night I bought it, throwing it in the DVD player, and knowing immediately and instinctlively that I was watching the birth of an artist who would be a force to be reckoned with for years to come. I sat there watching with my jaw literally dropping as he performed song after original song, (not to mention covering the up-until-then uncoverable MIAB), each one as equally approachable as the next, showing a versatility in genre (acoustic, blues, electric) that you would expect only from an artist far more established in his career, and well beyond his years.

Fast forward to 2008, and the release of WTLI. If you post here on a regular basis, chances are you're also probably a pretty die hard fan, and download all the concert bootlegs, watch YouTube snippets regularly, and have personally attended many live shows yourself. You're more than familiar with John's history (musical AND otherwise), and some of you were probably even in the audience at Eddie's Attic all those years ago, helping spread the word on the street. How could you not be a little "disappointed" in WTLI? It's only human nature. I admit that after watching a bit myself last night, I didn't get the same rush from WTLI that I did from watching AGT - despite the fact that I remain as steadfast a fan of John today as I was from the outset. I don't believe that speaks to the quality of the DVD as much as it does our familarity with John and his music, and only enforces that old cliche - "you can never go home again".

I've read a few reviews of WTLI from people who are obviously relatively new to John's music - and understandly, they're raving about it. If I was "discovering" John for the first time by way of watching WTLI, I'd probably feel exactly the same way I did when I watched AGT that winter evening back in '03. I'm even a little envious that I CAN'T re-live that experience with WTLI - but I'm also grateful that I've been witness to the evolution of the most talented man in music today - and for the existence of WTLI as a snapshot of where his career was in late 2007. As always, I look forward with great anticipation to seeing what comes next.

Thanks folks.

kyteach74: Appreciate the feedback, and that you took the time to read my fairly lengthy post.

summeroflove: Glad you brought your point of view to my attention - I did take the time to go back and read it, however, should I get flamed for my fairly benign musings on the subject, so be it - sticks and stones may break my bones, but flames will never hurt me.

ZorakMU: I must agree with you as well. Although I still have yet to view the DVD in it's entirety, I totally appreciate the cinematic quality of what I've seen so far. Especially love the opening sequences where John is playing in the hills overlooking L.A…..perfect.

I should also add that while I've certainly been aware all these years of the existence of In Your Atmosphere (L.A. song), for whatever reason, this release marks the first time I've actually ever heard it. That, along with the cover of Free Fallin', and the trio's version of Everyday I Have the Blues, definitely provide me with the same sort of rush I speak of when viewing AGT for the first time…..so he's still got the power to move me.