By George A. Paul
With
Christmas only a couple days away now, see below for suggestions on what to give the visual music enthusiast on your
gift list.
CONCERTS AND
MUSIC DOCUMENTARIES
Note: All titles except "The Human Rights Concerts" are available in both DVD and Blu-ray; many can also be purchased digitally from merchants like amazon.com.
Artist: Various
Title: Released! The Human Rights Concerts: 1986-98 (Shout! Factory)
For those who enjoy: Any of the artists involved
Tell me more: During the Eighties, musicians rallied around global political
causes (and more regional ones) like never before. This six disc DVD box set – my
pick for Best Archival DVD release of 2013 - focuses on several human rights
concerts presented by Amnesty International from 1986-1998. All are digitally restored.
A companion double CD spotlights performances from the four concerts.
There’s
nearly 17 hours of material here, with new documentaries and interviews,
alongside any other archival footage made. A good chunk was either never issued
for home video sale before or only aired a single time on TV.
On A Conspiracy of Hope (1986), there are standout turns by Jackson Browne (a lovely “For
Everyman,” “Lives in the Balance”), Lou Reed (“Walk on the Wild Side,” with
quite a sax solo), Peter Gabriel (“Shock The Monkey,” where he bounces across
the stage), Bryan Adams (a blazing “Run to You”), U2 (“Sunday Bloody Sunday”)
and The Police (Sting is particularly animated on “Message In A Bottle”).
Human Rights
Now! (1988) has rousing performances
from Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band (the entire set, namely
“Born In The USA” and “The River,” where Sting trades verses with The Boss) as
well as Gabriel with Youssou N’Dour (“In Your Eyes”). An Embrace of Hope (1990) finds Sting doing Jimi Hendrix’s “Little Wing”
in Spanish.
The Struggle Continues…(1998) has a wealth of sterling moments, captured
in crisp lighting. Most notable are Jimmy
Page & Robert Plant (a fiery “Rock
and Roll”), Radiohead (“Karma Police,” an intense “Bones,” “Paranoid Android”)
and Bruce Springsteen – solo acoustic (a fun “Working on the Highway, where he
admits in one documentary here that was out of tune).
The Legacy
DVD opens with a rare Pete Townshend (“Won’t Get Fooled Again” in 1979), Sting
(“I Shall Be Released,” 1981), then moves straight into the 2000s through last
year. Best of the lot include Bono & Damien Rice (breathtaking during “Walk
On”) and Coldplay (“Vida La Vida”).
Net proceeds
from sales of the DVD set and CDs benefit Amnesty.
What about the packaging: The DVDs are handsomely packaged in a
slide out box for easy access. The 39-page booklet is chock full of color
photos, interviews and credits.
Artist: Morrissey
Title: 25 Live (Eagle Rock)
For those who enjoy: The Smiths, Blur,
London Suede
Tell me more: Los Angeles is one of
Morrissey's biggest fan bases in the world, so shooting the ex-Smiths singer's
first official concert film in eight years there made perfect sense.
25Live shows
why this influential Brit continues to draw extreme fan devotion a quarter
century after launching a solo career. The impressive concert runs about 90
minutes, features ample crowd shots and excellent lighting.
Bonus
features include four tracks recorded in a casual studio session with producer
Tony Visconti (“The Kid’s A Looker,” “Scandinavia,” “Action Is My Middle Name,”
“People Are the Same Everywhere”). This is almost worth the DVD purchase price
alone. There are also two “Behind the Scenes” montages and a brief interview
with actor/comedian Russell Brand. Highly recommended for all Moz fans.
What
about the packaging: The
liner notes contain song credits, several pictures of Morrissey, his band and
the venue, plus thoughts of the day at Hollywood High by the band’s guitarist
Jesse Tobias.
Title: Springsteen
& I (Eagle Rock)
For those who enjoy: Bruce
Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Melissa Etheridge, John Fogerty
Tell me more: The special
bond between The Boss and his followers is at the crux of this absorbing
documentary. A few dozen video submissions (via Skype, YouTube, cell phone,
camera) from America and Europe were winnowed down more than 2000. The director
also utilized professional Springsteen
concert footage and archival material.
Among the bonus footage is 45 minutes from the Wrecking
Ball festival appearance at London’s Hard Rock Calling and Paul McCartney’s
fun guest spot, expanded fan submissions/profiles.
Artist: Bryan Ferry
Title: Live in Lyon (Eagle Rock)
For those who enjoy: The Divine
Comedy, Ultravox, Roxy Music
Tell me more: Looking dapper as ever
and sounding swelligant, Ferry’s 98-minute concert film was shot in France
during the Nuits de Fourviere Festival. Backed by a large band and dancers, he
covers all career facets (Roxy Music, Dylan covers) with the usual panache. “Oh
Yeah” and “Love is the Drug” are particularly dazzling.
Bonus
material is comprised of an entertaining 45-minute film about the making of
2010 studio effort Olympia (with its
all-star lineup), edited by Ferry’s son Isaac.
What about the packaging: The lavish 40-page booklet features a
historical essay, full tour personnel/bios, song credits and a multitude of
photos.
Artist: Peter Gabriel
Title: Live in Athens 1987 (Eagle Rock)
For those who enjoy: Gotye, Sting,
King Crimson, early Genesis
Tell me more: Having seen the So
tour last year, I was really interested in this 2 DVD title, which offers the
complete two-hour Greek show and the opening acts’ sets for the first time
(Youssou N’Dour among them).
Executive produced by Martin Scorsese, it makes
intriguing use of light and shade. “Shock the Monkey” proves riveting, “Don’t
Give Up” is emotionally resonant and the 15-minute “In Your Eyes” is simply a
joy to behold. The extras
include an 11-minute interview with Gabriel and the “Slegehammer” video in 5.1
audio. Disc 2 contains Play: The Videos – 23 of Gabriel’s innovative visual
clips.
What about the packaging: The liner notes comprise tour info, a
wealth of color photos and video stills.
Artist: Lady Antebellum
Title: Live: On This Winter’s Night (Eagle Rock)
For those who enjoy: Little Big
Town, The Band Perry
Tell me more: Christmas is all about
family and togetherness. If any musicians spotlight those qualities, it’s Lady
A.
On this 52-minute holiday concert held at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony
Center in 2012, the superstar country trio performs 11 favorites (Donny
Hathaway’s soulful “This Christmas” is a highlight) backed by an orchestra,
plus their own sublime original, “On This Winter’s Night.” Lighted in rich
hues, there are also cozy holiday recollections from the group.
Bonus features
include the “A Holly Jolly Christmas” video (and factoids), half a dozen
intimate acoustic performances done in a living room and humorous behind the
scenes footage.
Artist: CeeLo Green
Title: Loberace: Live in Vegas (Eagle Rock)
For those who enjoy: Isaac Hayes,
OutKast, Goodie Mob, Gnarls Barkley
Tell me more: Since becoming a judge on NBC’s “The Voice,” the flamboyant Green
has become a household name in America. Filmed at Planet Hollywood on the Strip
and originally broadcast o AXS-TV, the 78-minute concert is just Green onstage.
He’s joined by a bevy of scantily clad female dancers and vocal impersonators.
The emphasis here is on glitzy attire, sexual songs and paying tribute to
influences like Prince (“Hot Thang”), Chic and Rick James (a medley
incorporating “Le Freak/Super Freak”). Green’s old Goodie Mob put in a cameo.
The bonus material comprises a 7-minute interview.
Artist: REO Speedwagon
Title: Live at Moondance Jam (Speedwagon Recordings)
For those who enjoy: Styx, Journey, Ted Nugent, Foreigner
Tell me more: REO Speedwagon is one of a few veteran classic rock acts around
whose lead singer is the same from its commercial heyday. Kevin Cronin is all positive
vibes onstage on this solid DVD, shot in high-definition at a 2010 Minnesota
rock festival. Containing a partial set of 13 songs, the standouts include a
High Infidelity segment with hits "Keep on Loving You," “Don't Let
Him Go,” "Take It on the Run" (Dave
Amato’s guitar solo is spot on) and "In Your Letter." The
latter is the first ever live DVD version, as well as "Golden
Country" and "Like You Do.”
Available in both Blu-ray and a
deluxe edition (containing a CD and DVD in a glossy digipak), the CD+DVD and
Blu-ray packages contain a brief bonus interview with Cronin.
What about the packaging: The booklet has more than a dozen
concert photos.
Artist: Mike + the Mechanics
Title: Live at Shepherd’s Bush (Eagle Rock)
For those who enjoy: Genesis,
Chicago, Billy Preston
Tell me more: When the band did this
2004 London charity gig for Nordoff Robbins, it was their first since co-lead
singer Paul Young had died four years earlier. The other Paul – Carrack – ably
makes up for his absence amid a proficient 76-minute set half drawn from the
previous two studio albums.
The major
adult rock hits are here, including a soaring “Living Years,” Carrack’s
strident delivery on “Silent Running” and the high flying “Word of Mouth”
(where backing vocalist Paul McGee gets to shine).
Bonus material
encompasses a 20-minute interview with Mike Rutherford and Carrack, behind the
scenes tour rehearsals and making of the Rewired
album. Seven music videos, some never seen widely in America are included.
What about the packaging: The 8-page booklet has multiple live
shots and a short essay about the show by Dave Ling.
Title: Made
of Stone (MVD)
For those who enjoy: Oasis, The La’s,
Primal Scream
Tell me more: The Stone Roses – one
of alternative music’s most influential bands from Britain -- reunited in 2012
after more than 15 years apart and co-headlined the Southern California’s Coachella
Festival last spring. On Made of Stone,
Shane Meadows (“This is England”) essentially made a love letter to the group (he
actually appears onscreen discussing his adoration). The BAFTA-nominated
documentary runs 96 minutes and tells the hardscrabble Manchester natives’
story via rare archival footage, old and new performances and frequently
humorous interviews with the musicians themselves. The final return debut concert
segment is brilliant. For diehard fans.
Artist: Queen +
Title: The Freddie Mercury Tribute
Concert (Eagle Rock)
For those who enjoy: Queen, any of
the artists involved
Tell me more: Following the untimely
death of singer Freddie Mercury, the surviving members of Queen put on a
lavish tribute at Wembley Stadium
in 1992. Available as a triple DVD set, SD Blu-ray (with
upscaled standard definition original material, uncompressed stereo and DTS-HD
surround sound) and digital formats boasting remastered sound, it marks the
first time the opening acts' performances have been made available on DVD
and Blu-Ray.
Disc 1 clocks in at 85 minutes and has lengthy hard rock performances
by Metallica, Extreme, Joe Elliott, Guns ‘n’ Roses and more. Disc 2 is 106
minutes and comprises the main concert. Highlights are bountiful: Robert Plant
seems to be having a blast during “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” Paul Young
acquits himself well on “Radio Ga Ga,” a black raccoon eyed Annie Lennox &
the lime green-suited David Bowie pair up for a breathtaking “Under Pressure,”
George Michael does a show-stopping “Somebody To Love,” aided by vocal choir
and Elton John adds high drama to “The Show Must Go On,” sans piano.
Among the other guests at the show: Roger Daltrey, Bob
Geldof, Ian Hunter, Tony Iommi, Liza Minnelli, Mick Ronson, Lisa Stansfield.
Bonus material on Disc 3 encompasses an hour-long ’02 documentary,
including interviews with Queen’s Roger Taylor & Brian May. Rehearsal
performances of David Bowie and Annie Lennox doing “Under Pressure” (just
as stunning as the later concert version; George Michael is shown standing off
to the side, watching and mouthing the words); Michael’s “Somebody To Love” (he puts just as much emphasis on the trial run), photo galleries
(professional and fan-shot) and facts about the Mercury Phoenix Trust.
What about the packaging: Contains multiple photos from the
show.
Artist: Phil Collins
Title: Live at Montreux 2004 (Eagle Rock)
For those who enjoy: Genesis, Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker
Tell me more: It’s a surprise to see
Collins opens his ’04 return to Montreux Jazz Festival with a drum solo
(alongside two other timekeepers). But the move definitely stirs excitement at
this lengthy show. Shot in high definition, the superstar singer covers all the
hit bases with verve. Highlights include the brass intensive “Don't Lose My
Number” and “Hang in Long Enough,” as well as Genesis’ “I Missed Again” and
always intense “In The Air Tonight.”
The bonus
material is a complete performance by the Phil Collins Big Band at Montreux in
1996. This marks the first time any of his big band material has been made
available.
What about
the packaging: The booklet contains personal recollections about the gigs from
Collins, color photos, band info.
