Jimi Hendrix - Live at Woodstock (1999) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock is disputabily the greatest concert ever given. I am an avid Hendrix fan and was elated to see this DVD. This is by far the best DVD I have and shows Hendrix at his greatest. Izabella is revolutionary, Fire is rock solid, Red House is great (Jimi broke his high E string), his Woodstock Improvisation is incredible and his Star Spangled Banner is priceless. That being considered, it deserves 5+ stars.
Although Expericnce Hendrix has done a great job releasing material since they won Jimi's legacy a few years ago, this DVD, contrary to the CD version, was disappointing in its length. There are many songs missing. I owned the CDs first and will list my disappointments: (1) I desperately wanted to hear and see all of Message to Love and Hear my Train a Comin', two of Jimi's new songs as he broke away from the Experience. (2) I also wanted to see Spanish Castle Magic, Foxy Lady, Hey Joe and Lover Man, all not included on the DVD. (3) The order of the songs was jumbled on the DVD and I wanted to see the actual chronological order of the songs. (4) Many of Jimi's comments, some pretty interesting (a la those before Izabella for those who own the CDs), were totally cut out. (5) If it replaced another of the aformentioned left-out songs, I really did not need to hear Larry Lee being backed up be Jimi on Jam Back at the House. Considering they cut out Larry Lee's other songs from the CD I was amazed that this one even made it.
I guess I wanted a DVD identical to the CDs, which is not what this is. However, this is a must for any fan of rock music in general, but I felt I had to voice my completist complaints. Without a doubt, a must have.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Jimi Hendrix - Live at Woodstock (1999)

Click here for more information about Jimi Hendrix - Live at Woodstock (1999)

CROSSROADS GUITAR FESTIVAL 2010 (2010) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was at the Crossroads 2010 show and eagerly awaited the theatrical release. The first thing you have to realize is that nothing, not a 2 hour movie or a 4 hour DVD will capture what it was like to have actually seen some of the brilliant performances of that day. The editing was shaky at best but the sound was quite good (I'm sure the sound varied greatly depending on the theater). Although I was dissapointed in the movie, I'd see it again and here's why. The movie missed a lot of the high points of the 11 hour show, but it caught enough to remind me of how great the entire experience had been, and that's all I asked for. I was pleasently surprised at the applause in the theater after some of the better performances. The most dissapointing thing about the movie was the performances that weren't included. John Mayer, Buddy Guy, and Jeff Beck all played sets that deserved complete coverage (and I would pay money to buy a DVD). "Going Down", "Killing Floor", "La Grange", "Mystery Train", and "Comin' Home" were all songs I was sad didn't make the cut. And although he didn't add a whole lot musically, Bill Murray's intro's were hysterical. Addressing a negative critism: I don't know what a "I-IV-V progression in G with a capo" is, but I could watch Robert Randolph, Jimmie Vaughn, and Hubert Sumlin play it all day!(I've seen a lot of pictures of Muddy Waters with a capo and I heard he's pretty good!). I'm quite sure the DVD will capture more of the esscence of the complete concert, but, as we all know, that's impossible.

Click Here to see more reviews about: CROSSROADS GUITAR FESTIVAL 2010 (2010)

Click here for more information about CROSSROADS GUITAR FESTIVAL 2010 (2010)

The Allman Brothers Band - Live at the Beacon Theatre (2003) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)An excellent live concert release from one of the original jam bands. Here The Allman Brothers Band present an uncut 2 Hour and 48 minute concert recorded in March 2003 at The Beacon Theater in New York. Although a few Allman Brothers classics like Ramblin Man, Jessica, In Memory of Elizabeth Reed, and Revival are not here they are included on other video releases and what is included here is excellent and worthy of 5 stars. The 5.1 sound and video quality are excellent and the band is as tight as they have ever been. This version of the Allman Brothers Band (Founding members Gregg Allman, Jaimoe, and Butch Trucks, along with longtime band members Warren Haynes, Marc Quinones, and Oteil Burbridge, and more recent addition Derek Trucks doing a good job filling Dickie Betts' shoes) seem to be really enjoying themselves on stage and it comes through in the quality of the music.
Besides the concert, the double DVD release also includes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes of interviews and behind the scenes footage. There is a also a very good dressing room performance of Old Friend by Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks along with a photo gallery and discography.
Here is the Track Listing:
1. Ain't Wastin' Time No More
2. Black Hearted Woman
3. Statesboro Blues
4. Woman Across The River
5. A Change Is Gonna Come
6. Maydell
7. Come & Go Blues
8. Rockin' Horse
9. Desdemona
10. Don't Keep Me Wondering
11. Midnight Rider
12. Soulshine
13. High Cost Of Low Living
14. Leave My Blues At Home
15. Old Before My Time
16. The Same Thing
17. Melissa
18. Instrumental Illness
19. Worried Down With The Blues
20. Dreams
21. Whippin' Post
22. One Way Out

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Allman Brothers Band - Live at the Beacon Theatre (2003)

Click here for more information about The Allman Brothers Band - Live at the Beacon Theatre (2003)

Concert for Bangladesh (2005) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The George Harrison-led "Concert for Bangladesh" will make its DVD debut Oct. 25 via Rhino, the same day Capitol releases a remixed, remastered CD of the project. Rhino is also creating a deluxe edition set with a reproduction of Harrison's handwritten lyrics for the then-new song "Bangla Desh," a postcard set, a sticker and a print of the original show poster.
Staged on Aug. 1, 1971, at New York's Madison Square Garden, the show raised funds via UNICEF for Bangladeshi refugees caught in the middle of the country's battle for independence from Pakistan.
It featured Harrison performing alongside Bob Dylan (making a rare public appearance in the wake of a serious motorcycle accident), Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Ravi Shankar, Billy Preston, Badfinger and Leon Russell. The event was chronicled the following year on a triple-LP set and a feature film.
Rhino's DVD restores the original 99-minute movie in 5.1 sound and tacks on a wealth of extras, including a rehearsal performance of "If Not for You" with Harrison and Dylan and a soundcheck take on "Come on in My Kitchen" with Harrison, Clapton and Russell, plus Dylan performing "Love Minus Zero/No Limit," an outtake from the theatrical release.
The DVD will also include a 45-minute documentary, "The Concert for Bangladesh Revisited 2005," which features interviews with Bob Geldof and United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan.
Here is the track list for "The Concert for Bangladesh":
"Bangla Dhun"
"Wah-Wah"
"My Sweet Lord"
"Awaiting on You All"
"That's the Way God Planned It"
"It Don't Come Easy"
"Beware of Darkness"
Band Introduction
"While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
"Jumpin' Jack Flash"
"Youngblood"
"Here Comes the Sun"
"A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall"
"It Takes a Lot To Laugh, It Takes a Train To Cry"
"Blowin' in the Wind"
"Just Like a Woman"
"Something"
"Bangla Desh"

Click Here to see more reviews about: Concert for Bangladesh (2005)

The Concert for Bangladesh was the first benefit concert of its kind in that it brought together an extraordinary assemblage of major artists collaborating for a common humanitarian cause-setting the precedent that music could be used to serve a higher purpose. The concert sold out Madison Square Garden and has helped to generate millions for UNICEF and raised awareness for the organization around the world, as well as among other musicians and their fans. It is acknowledged as the inspiration and the forerunner to the major global fundraising events of recent years. To quote the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, "George and his friends were pioneers." All artists' royalties from the sales of the DVD will go to UNICEF.

Get 17% OFF

Click here for more information about Concert for Bangladesh (2005)

Albert King / Stevie Ray Vaughan: In Session (2010) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This was filmed in December, 1983 for an Ontario, Canada, TV station program. It's finally been released on DVD. The visual & sound quality is great. I'm not sure of the total running time, but it is a fairly, lengthly, session, concentrating on a young 29 year old Stevie Ray, with his Fender Stratocaster, Electric Guitar (Old #1 also called "Lenny") & a mature 60 year old, experienced, professional blues guitarist & singer, Albert King, with his Gibson "Flying V", electric guitar (named "Lucy"). Stevie Ray does switch guitars a couple of times during the session. Stevie had a reputation about being rough on his guitars, kinda like Jerry Lee Lewis was with pianos. Stevie Ray is a right handed guitarist, Albert is a left handed guitarist. This is a great close up, and personal jam session, with the backing band, barely in sight. The main focus is on Stevie Ray & Albert King. Stevie was a young Texas Blues guitarist & singer. Albert was an original, Mississippi Delta Blues guitarist & singer. This session is like a tutorial session, where the older & wiser Albert, jams with Stevie, and gives him advice. The 2 blues guitarists are relaxed and "laid back", and Stevie shows great respect for his "tutor". Also, Albert shows great respect for Stevie Ray. There is no live audience. The music is fantastic!!!
The musicians are as follows:
Albert King - Electric guitar, vocals
Stevie Ray Vaughan -Elecric guitar, vocals on "Texas Flood"/"Pride & Joy"
Tony LLoren - piano, organ
Gus Thorton - electric Bass
Michael Lloren - drums
The set list is as follows:
Introduction
"Born Under a Bad Sign" (An Albert King Classic) this is one of the best performances of the song, I've seen on a dvd. This includes vocals by Albert.
"Texas Flood" (a Stevie Ray Classic), this is mostly jam music, with some vocals from Stevie Ray, its great electric blues guitar play.
"Call it Stormy Monday" (an Albert Classic) includes Albert on vocals
"Old Times" - this is a conversation between Albert and Stevie, recalling how Stevie Ray met Albert King back in 1973 in Austin, Texas, at Austin's Coliseum Club. Stevie was just 18 years old, and he was fasinated by Albert. Also, 2 years later Stevie Ray got to sit in on a session with Albert at Antone's in Austin.
"Match Box Blues" - (An Albert Classic) with great electric guitar blues, including vocals by Albert.
"Pep Talk" - Albert King gives Stevie Ray some advice & encouragement.
"Don't Lie to Me" (Another Albert Classic) with great electric guitar blues & Albert on vocals.
"Who is Stevie" - Another conversation between Albert as "tutor", and Stevie Ray as "student".
"Pride and Joy" (A Stevie Ray Classic) more great electric, blues guitar play, with Stevie Ray on vocals.
" I'm Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town" - (Another Albert Classic), with more great electric, blues guitar play & Albert on vocals.
"Outro" - Credits, etc.
This is certainly a great dvd to have for any blues, &/or blues rock lover. It was sad, that Stevie died in a helecopter crash in 1990, and then Albert died 2 years later in 1992. However, this dvd speaks volumes about the two legendary blues musicians.
Also, with the dvd, you get some excellent liner notes giving the details of this event and some history on both blues artists. I highly recommend this for any blues, or blues rock fan. Thanks!!!
P.S. Even though Stevie Ray's Old #1 guitar was also called "Lenny", it was not his "official", "Lenny" guitar. The "official", "Lenny", also a Fender Stratocaster, had been re-worked, with a new brown body, with a white plastic shield, and a solid maple neck, which is light colored wood on all sides of the neck. SRV usually only played this guitar, when he would perform the song "Lenny". If you'd like to see the "original Lenny", then Stevie plays it in the dvd "Live at the el Mocambo", when he performs the song "Lenny".

Click Here to see more reviews about: Albert King / Stevie Ray Vaughan: In Session (2010)

On December 6, 1983, legendary blues guitarist Albert King joined his disciple Stevie Ray Vaughan on a Canadian sound stage for the live music television series In Session.Magic happened. The highly sought after video footage from that one-time renowned summit becomes available for the first time ever with the release of Stax Records' DVD In Session. The DVD contains three classic performances unavailable on the previously issued audio disc: "Born Under a Bad Sign," the landmark title track from Albert King's biggest Stax release written by William Bell and Booker T. Jones; Stevie Ray's "Texas Flood," the Larry Davis-penned title track of Vaughan's immortal debut album; and "I'm Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town," made famous by Louis Jordan and later, Ray Charles. "It was evident from the first choruses," writes liner notes author/musicologist Samuel Charters, "that they were playing for each other. And that was the best audience either of them could ever have. The music never lost its intensity, its quality of something very important being handed back and forth and there was time for Stevie and Albert to see where their ideas took them."Accolades have showered upon this momentous encounter. "As a document of what was probably one of the greatest nights in the musical life of SRV, this belongs in the collection of every true fan," said the Austin American-Statesman. Sonic Boomers added, "Both men are gone now, but rare recordings like In Session remind us of a time when blues giants still walked the earth side by side." Elmore magazine called it "an indispensible part of any blues fan's collection." And BluesWax noted, "thank goodness, this disc lives on and on." Now this previously unavilable visual document featuring two giants of American blues can be enjoyed by audiences the world over.Sadly, King and Vaughan would not share a stage together ever again. Vaughan, 31 years King's junior, died in a helicopter crash in the fog on the way back from a concert in 1990. King outlived him by two years, dying of a heart attack in 1992. They didn't meet often, and their careers took different paths. But we can all be grateful for that one long day in a television studio when sparks flew and this timeless performance was forever captured.01. Introduction02. Texas Flood03. Call It Stormy MondayAct II04. Matchbox Blues05. Pep Talk06. Don't Lie To Me 07. Who Is Stevie?08. Pride and JoyThe Finale09. I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts of Town10. Outro

Get 7% OFF

Click here for more information about Albert King / Stevie Ray Vaughan: In Session (2010)

Out of Ireland - The Hit Songs & Artists of Irish Music (From a Whisper to a Scream) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Warning, this documentary might be disappointing to the average fan because the performance clips are painfully brief. But if you are more intererested in a deeper knowledge and understanding of Irish rock and it's place in rock..indeed in the full spectrum of Irish music, then this video should be your cup of tea.
The influence of The Beatles as well as such American rock as Chuck Berry is traced along with the influence of traditional Irish music, even that of the legendary operatic tenor, John McCormick. Most important though is the very Irish nature which flavors the music.
All music is interwoven, and the relationship between Irish rock and the dance spectacular, "Riverdance", is brought out.
Performers such as Van Morrison, Clannad (and Enya), The Cranberries, U2, and The Corrs are all highlighted, but performers lesser known or even unknown outside of Ireland are all given their due, and the credit they deserve.
If you want a comprehensive overview of Irish rock, and are NOT looking for the entertainment value of long performance clips, then this video is definitely for you.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Out of Ireland - The Hit Songs & Artists of Irish Music (From a Whisper to a Scream)

OUT OF IRELAND - HIT SONGS & ARTISTS - DVD Movie

Get 10% OFF

Click here for more information about Out of Ireland - The Hit Songs & Artists of Irish Music (From a Whisper to a Scream)

Robin Trower - Living Out of Time: Live (2005) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)After waiting for months, my copy of Robin Trower's new DVD, "Living out of Time" arrived yesterday and went straight into the DVD player. Man, it was sure worth the wait!
If you love Robin Trower -- or electric blues guitar in general -- you simply cannot go wrong with this DVD. It contains a good balance of the classic Trower songs from the James Dewar era and his newer material, including one song so new, it's not on any album yet! There's also a bonus section with a neat photo gallery; actual photos, not just stills from the video (many have some nice time-laps and processing effects). There's also a nicely shot and very informative interview with Robin (did you know that at one time, he had the same manager as the Beatles, or that the development of his sound took place in San Francisco AFTER the death of Jimi Hendrix, or that he didn't feel he took the guitar seriously until after he left Procol Harum?). Learn how Robin became a "Strat-Man" and why Robin feels he is living out of time, and proud of it! Good stuff. But I didn't buy this DVD for the bonus material...
Folks, I have many, many live concert DVDs and the quality varies greatly from one to another. In many cases the mix between instruments and vocals isn't balanced correctly or the audio is not crisp and clean. In other cases, the video has problems (i.e., too dark, or fuzzy and grainy, cameramen who don't know how to video a rock performance -- or good camera work ruined by bad video editing) etc. That is not the case with Living Out of Time! Not only is the performance superb, but the DVD production is one of the best I've seen and heard. The audio quality is fantastic (apparently right off the main board). The kick drum is solid, the snare and cymbals are tight and clean, the bass and vocals are sharp and bold and Robin, well, he sounds as good as I've ever heard him on any recording.
...And the video is outstanding! Very bright and clear, with great close-up shots of Robin's fantastic scales, multi-note bending (with and without whammy bar) incredible finger vibrato, and overall "fret board gymnastics" -- but there's even shots of Robin's foot-pedal work! I also wasn't expecting anything unusual about the stage lighting, just a standard club set-up. Again, not the case here! There are some great lighting effects and unusual graphics projected on a full stage screen behind the band. While the lighting is unique and interesting, it does not detract from the performance, but instead, enhances it (check out the lighting effect on the close-up shots of Davey during "Please Tell Me").
Drummer Pete Thompson (of the 70's / 80's British band Shotgun and long-time Trower collaborator) has just the right sound and style for this material. Bassist Dave Bronze is another long-time Trower collaborator (in addition to Eric Clapton, Sting, Procol Harum, Phil Collins, Jeff Beck, Stuart Copeland, Bo Diddly, Roger Daltry, David Gilmore, Brian Ferry, George Harrison and Ray Davis, to name but a few) sounds smooth, fat and `dead-on target'! Oh, did I mention Dave was also voted British Blues Connections 2000 Bass Player of the Year? :-)
As others have mentioned, Davey Pattison does indeed sound reminiscent of the late/great James Dewar. But he adds his own stamp of character and style to the vocals. I have also been a long-time fan of Ronnie Montrose and Davey Pattison's band Gamma, and I can hear the Gamma sound -- along with Dewar's -- in this performance. There's also a lot of the classic, bluesy, 1960's Eric Clapton / Cream sound to Davey's vocals (think "Crossroads"). It all comes together quite nicely.
While staying true to his sound, Robin doesn't just replicate the older versions of his classic songs, instead he add a great deal of new licks, breaks and modulations that really kept them interesting. His newer material is right up there with the best of his classics.
Highlights include the up-tempo, blues-rock "Rise up Like the Sun", the pensive and moody "Breathless" -- where Robin takes a turn at lead vocals as well (and to my surprise, has a very effective voice for this style). There's also some amazing new soloing and breaks in classics like "Daydream" and "A Little Bit of Sympathy" -- and a perfect recreation of the mystifying guitar sound of "Bridge of Sighs" that I fell in love with so many years ago (with new interpretations of the classic licks).
So, if you loved the unique, swirling, gliding, vibrating, sustaining, double-stopping, wah-wah'ing sounds of Robin Trower, well, here they are in all their glory! I don't generally evaluate anything at the maximum available points, but I can honestly think of nothing they could have done to make this DVD any better - so I must give it 5 out of 5 stars. I guess the only surprise was the polite, but much retrained reaction of the German audience (definitely not an American crowd - they would have been goin' nuts)!
I had understood Robin Trower had retired a while ago, if true, I'm sure glad he changed his mind! If you love Robin Trower (or classic Cream, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Buddy Guy, or the bluesier side of Jimi Hendrix) this DVD is not only a winner, but a true "must have". I've heard that Robin and this line-up are working out a U.S. tour in mid-to-late 2006; don't miss `em (I'll definitely be there)!
Cheers!
"The Doctor"
(Somewhere in California)

Click Here to see more reviews about: Robin Trower - Living Out of Time: Live (2005)

This fascinating 13-song performance was recorded by the famous WDR Rockpalast on Robin Trower's 60th birthday, March 9th 2005 at the Crossroads Festival in Germany.Trower's career has spanned more than four decades and he is considered to be one of the

Get 20% OFF

Click here for more information about Robin Trower - Living Out of Time: Live (2005)