Listen to more and get Little Broken Hearts
Artist: Talking Heads
Title: Chronology
Worth buying: Yes
You might enjoy this DVD if you like: Television, Velvet Underground, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, David Byrne’s solo work
Tell Me More: Chronology (Eagle Vision) contains 14 live clips and other related footage with a running time of 67 minutes. Spanning various performances from 1975-83 and 2002, the seminal post punk band is seen at NYC clubs (CBGB, The Kitchen), outdoor events (the US Festival, Rockpop Festival, UC Berkeley’s Sproul Plaza), television (“Saturday Night Live,” “American Bandstand”), the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction and more. While watching them, you really get a sense of how unique the Talking Heads’ sound was at the time.
Bonus material: There’s an intriguing 35-minute 1979 documentary that originally aired on the UK’s South Bank Show where Byrne and the other band members talk about songwriting, their influences, etc. A 10-minute Byrne interview, done in conjunction with the UCB show, is somewhat awkward. All four contribute to the audio commentary on the clips and provide fascinating tidbits. Bassist Tina Weymouth said she was seeing them for the first time!
What about the packaging? The 8-page booklet contains black and white archival photos and a concert ad, while the DVD has quotes from Byrne and esteemed music critic Lester Bangs. – George A. Paul
Information: www.eaglerockent.com
Get Talking Heads: Chronology Deluxe Here
Artist: Public Image Limited
Title: Live at Rockpalast 1983
Worth buying: Yes, for diehard enthusiasts
You might enjoy this DVD if you like: Wire, Magazine, Gang of Four, Sex Pistols
Tell Me More: Following a memorable appearance at Coachella ’10, singer John Lydon went into the studio to record his first new material in 20 years under the PiL banner. It’s due out later this spring. So the timing is perfect to revisit the past with Live at Rockpalast 1983 (MIG) , a satisfactory glimpse of the band’s middle period, while performing on the long-running German TV show. The hour-long, 13-song set mostly draws from 1978’s self-titled debut LP, but also previews three selections off a then-unreleased “This is What You Want…This is What You Get” – notably the soon-to-be college rock hit “(This is Not) A Love Song).”
Filmed on Halloween, the dim lighting here is typical of live television in the ‘80s. Unfortunately, the cameras barely focus on Martin Adkins’ amazing drum work. Lydon skulks across the stage, goes into the audience (“Annalisa”), plays up to the cameras (a keyboard-fueled take on the Sex Pistols’ Anarchy in the UK”), tells the mosh-crazy crowd to shut up (the synth-heavy “Low Life”), empties nasal mucus onto the stage and generally caterwauls aplenty. Standouts include “Chant” and the funky “Bad Life.”
Bonus material: sound check rehearsals of “Annalisa” and “Chant” (it’s interesting to see Lydon without his hair all spiked up) and a short backstage interview with the Rockpalast host. Lydon discusses living in NYC, his first film role in “Cop Killer” alongside Harvey Keitel and how he’s an egomaniac.
What about the packaging? The 7-page black and white booklet has multiple live shots (as does the cardboard digipak casing), plus a short bio. – George A. Paul
Information: www.mvdb2b.com, www.pilofficial.com
Artist: Quiet Riot
Title: Live at the US Festival 1983
Worth buying: Yes, for diehard enthusiasts
You might enjoy this DVD+CD if you like: Whitesnake, Ratt, Skid Row, early Ozzy Osbourne
Tell Me More: When Quiet Riot performed in San Bernardino, Calif. on Memorial Day Weekend during “heavy metal day,” it was having a banner year. The Metal Health LP had just been released that May, was on its way to multi-platinum status and reaching No. 1 on the charts. Meanwhile, the hit Slade cover “Cum on Feel the Noize” was in regular rotation at MTV and months later would become a top 10 single.
Live at the US Festival 1983 (Shout! Factory) includes the band’s entire 41-minute, nine-song afternoon set – heavy on Metal Health material – before thousands of sweaty fans. Singer Kevin DuBrow, clad in bright leather (or is that spandex?), hops all over the stage and delivers the sexual innuendo-filled songs with his trademark cartoonish mannerisms. Guitarist Carlos Cavazo does some lightning speed licks on “Battle Axe” and is hoisted up by DeBrow at one point. Bassist Rudy Sarzo even dazzles with an upside down solo. A CD of the set is also part of the package.
What about the packaging? Housed in a standard double jewel box, the liner notes have the basic and a few live shots. – George A. Paul
Information: www.shoutfactory.com
With the upcoming arrival of St. Patrick’s Day on Saturday, March 17, now is the perfect time to celebrate the latest 2012 albums featuring Celtic and Irish music makers.
Although the range of artists spans from the rocking Saw Doctors and raucous neo-punk Dropkick Murphys to the decidedly authentic sounds of The Chieftains, those looking for a soundtrack for St. Pat’s can’t go wrong with any of these albums.
Artist: The Saw Doctors
Title: The Further Adventures of The Saw Doctors
You will be interested in this if you are a fan of: The Fenians, the Young Dubliners, Colin Hay
Tell Me More: Fans of modern-day Irish rock music are likely already familiar with The Saw Doctors. Since the late 1980s the Irish quintet has issued a score of great albums that effortlessly blend traditional Irish music with a style associated with American rockers such as Springsteen and Mellencamp . An exciting live act, the group’s latest album The Further Adventures of The Saw Doctors is another winning collection. The infectious opener “Takin’ the Train” and “Friday Town” are among the instant upbeat faves on the 11-track disc.
Melancholy is another successful ingredient in the skilled hands of the band, notably on the confessional “Be Yourself,” “As the Light Fades” and “Goodbye Again.”
Get: Further Adventures of the Saw Doctors by clicking here
Artist: The Chieftains
Title: Voice Of Ages
You will be interested in this if you are a fan of: The High Kings, The Civil Wars, The Clancy Brothers
Tell Me More: The Rolling Stones and the Beach Boys aren’t the only groups celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2012. The most beloved traditional Irish band in the solar system, The Chieftains have teamed up with Producer T Bone Burnett and the far-flung likes of Bon Iver, the Decemberists, the Civil Wars, Pistol Annies, Imelda May and other modern-day heroes to issue Voice Of Ages. Paddy Moloney and company have really delivered a gem that is out of this world (heck, NASA astronaut Cady Coleman’s flute and tin whistle playing aboard the International Space Station is featured on “The Chieftains In Orbit”). Other highlights include “Come All Ye Fair And Tender Ladies” (with the Pistol Annies), “Lily Love” (featuring the Civil Wars) and “The Frost Is All Over” (with the Punch Brothers).
Get: Voice Of Ages [Deluxe Edition], here
Artist: Dropkick Murphys
Title: Going Out In Style: Fenway Park Bonus Edition
You will be interested in this if you are a fan of: The American Wake, Black 47, Flogging Molly
Tell Me More: For those who prefer music that roars but still want a dose of Irish sonics in their brew, Dropkick Murphys definitely deliver. Going Out In Style was the band’s 7th full-length release and was released last year, but has now been reissued as a special bonus edition in 2012. The so-called Fenway Park Bonus Edition includes 18 live tracks recorded during two shows acorded at Fenway Park in September 2011. This release is sure to please Dropkick Murphys’ Celtic punk faithful.
Purchase: Going Out In Style – Live At Fenway Edition, Here
Artist: Celtic Thunder
Title: Voyage
You will be interested in this if you are a fan of: The Chieftains, The High Kings
Tell Me More: Celtic Thunder is as much a vocal ensemble as a theatrical production, so it should come as no surprise that the troupe’s latest disc is available as a 17-track CD and a fully-produced special airing on PBS and available on DVD. As the worthy follow-up effort to the lads’ successful 2011 release Heritage, 2012′s Voyage is filled with accessible material ranging from the lavish “Dulaman” and traditional “The Galway Girl” to a mostly-faithful cover of Belfast native Van Morrison’s “Moondance. And while the focus here is on Celtic Thunder’s genuine Irish roots, there are ill-placed covers of Harry Chapin’s “Cat’s in the Cradle” and Air Supply’s “All Out of Love.”
- Robert Kinsler
There have been a wealth of recent titles issued on DVD and Blu-ray that really celebrate some of classic rock’s greatest names. Here is a roundup of some of great releases worth checking out.
Artist: Paul McCartney
Title: The Love We Make
Worth buying: Yes
You might be interested in this DVD if you like: Paul McCartney, The Beatles, history relating to 9/11
Tell Me More: Although it has been more than a decade since 9/11 and the subsequent staging of The Concert For New York City featuring Paul McCartney, The Who, Billy Joel and a number of other celebrated artists, it truly feels like only yesterday thanks to the release of the recently-issued documentary The Love We Make.
Originally aired on the Showtime Cable Network, The Love We Make has been issued by Eagle Rock Entertainment on both DVD and Blu-ray. This 94-minute documentary showcases the planning of the benefit concert that was staged at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 20, 2011. Whether getting a rare look at McCartney and his band rehearsing “I’m Down,” watching the former Beatle walk through the streets of New York City as he does his part to help residents heal in the wake of the horrific attacks that brought down the twin towers or his interactions with Eric Clapton, Harrison Ford and New York City firefighters, this is a unique and powerful film.
Filmed in 16mm black and white (except color footage from The Concert For New York City concert), The Love We Make showcases not only an unforgettable moment in history but how the contributions of one of the world’s most gifted artists can help provide light in the darkest of times.
Recorded in DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital 5.1 and LPCM Stereo, The Love We Make packaging also includes a wonderful essay penned by William Flanagan.
Information: www.eaglerockent.com
Artist: The Doors
Title: Mr. Mojo Risin’: The Story of L.A. Woman
Worth buying: Yes
You might be interested in this DVD if you like: The Doors
Tell Me More: Few bands to emerge in the 1960s crafted music as powerful, enduring and influential as The Doors.
Over the course of the Los Angeles-based quartet’s brief career in the late 1960s and dawn of the ’70s, singer Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger and drummer John Densmore ignited the era with a mix of blistering blues, psychedelic rock, spoken poetry and even jazz.
The Doors’ final studio album featuring Morrison was L.A. Woman, recorded over the course of a mere four days in the fall of 1970s and released in 1971. Now, more than four decades after its release, that epic masterwork is celebrated via the new documentary Mr. Mojo Risin’: The Story of L.A. Woman. The perfect companion to the Rhino Records’ 40th anniversary deluxe edition of “L.A. Woman” that was also released this year, Mr. Mojo Risin’ features a wealth of historic archival photographs, rare footage of the band in the studio and recent interviews with Manzarek, Krieger and Densmore discussing the tracks and even performing iconic sections of some of the selections as they discuss how classics such as “Riders On The Storm,” “Love Her Madly” and “L.A. Woman” were born.
Among the bonus features on the DVD/Blu-ray is the audio track for the previously-unheard “She Smells So Nice” accompanied by a fascinating photo montage. Filmed in high definition, the 103-minute documentary features DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby Digital Stereo
Information: www.thedoors.com or www.eaglerockent.com
Artist: Queen
Title: Days Of Our Lives
Worth buying: Yes
You might be interested in this DVD if you like: Queen, classic rock,
Tell Me More: While 1971 essentially marked the end of The Doors (Morrison died on July 3, 1971), that year also saw four college students in London, England get together to form a band that would soon to known to the world as Queen.
Over the past 40+ years, Queen has gone on to release more than 25 albums and sell more than 300 million records. Now comes Days Of Our Lives, a fascinating documentary that tells the story of singer Freddie Mercury (who died in 1991), guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor and bassist John Deacon. Directed by Matt O’ Casey, the DVD/Blu-ray version features the complete special originally broadcast on Biography as well as seven brand new videos for classic songs such as “We Are the Champions,” “Under Pressure” and “Killer Queen.”
Filled with early footage, insightful interviews and great music (of course), Days Of Our Lives is essential viewing for fans of Queen.
Information: www.queenonline.com
Artist: Styx
Title: The Grand Illusion/Pieces of Eight Live
Worth buying: Yes
You might be interested in this DVD if you like: Styx, Damn Yankees, Kansas
Tell Me More: Two of the best known and successful albums in the Styx discography are revisited by the band on the 20-song The Grand Illusion/Pieces of Eight Live (available on DVD or Blu-ray).
One of the most popular progressive rock outfits to emerge in the 1970s, Styx shines throughout a concert stretching more than two hours that was captured at the legendary Orpheum Theater in Memphis on Nov. 9, 2010. With high def visuals and excellent audio to match, gems such as the spirited “Come Sail Away,” haunting “Castle Walls” and flat-out rocking “Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)” allow singer-guitarist Tommy Shaw and company to really shine.
Information: www.eaglerockent.com
