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)

Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band - Live in New York City (2001) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Q: What transforms a guy who formerly shrugged off Springteen into a die hard fanatic in one lighting-bolt of an electric moment?
A: THIS!
All of a sudden, I "get it."
Let me set the scene: I came home, dogged and tired, from work. I turned on the TV which, thanks to my roommate at the time, was tuned to MTV (I mention my roommate was watching because I despise MTV, both for what it has become and its contribution to; scratch that; its LEADERSHIP of, all that has become wrong with pop music today). And to add insult ot injury, who's video was on? Creed. Without getting off on a rant of what is probably a hundred reasons why, I'll simply say I hate f**king Creed! For the purpose of the story I do have to mention perhaps the biggest reason why: they are laughably fake in their stupid posturing and are poor performers at that. Their standard riffs and the laughable b.s. that is their overly-rightous lyrics simply enhance this disgusting sherade. So I let out a sigh of contempt, because I can't do a thing about their stupifying success, and move forward to HBO to see if I can catch a movie; and what's on? Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band Live in New York. Towards the end of a song (later I would come to know and love it as "Out In the Street") Bruce was prancing around the stage as the crowd chanted a chorus of, "Oh-oh-oh-oh!" I watched for a minute, smiled at the fun he and his band, whoever these guys are, were having, and decided to move on. Then a funny thing happened. All of a sudden there was a close-up of Bruce's sweaty face. His face red, he stood at the mic and shouted, "New York City!" The crowd screamed. He yelled it again. They screamed louder, drums thudering in the background. One more time: "New York City!!!" The crowd reached near meltdown. "Lets Go! One! Two!" A crisp piano plays the opening notes to "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out," as the audience "sings" along to the melody. Bruce walks the stage, throwing his arms in the air, pointing at every section of the audience, an I-Mean-Business look on his face. I gotta see what happens. After a long work-up, he jumps off the piano he has now taken to, runs back to his mic, and again: "One, two, three, four!!!" The band busts full-force into the song and I am feeling something very exciting. As I watch Bruce rip through this song with more vigor, passion and flat-out rock chops than maybe anyone I've ever seen, I think to myself, now this is how it should be! This is ow its done! THIS is why I hate Creed and all their ilk! I flip back to MTV for a split second. Creed is still on (it must have been more than just one video - treat!). I flip back to Bruce. And back to Creed again. The difference is staggering. I'm flipping thinking, "rock star, douche bag. Rock star, douche bag." Back to Springsteen one last time and I say there. How could it get better. He hadn't introduced the band yet. After the band intro I was giddy with excitment from all the energy the was radiating out of Bruce, his band, the obvious love and comrodere between them; and the audience for that matter, and myself. The song is coming to a close, still at full force and Bruce, obviously tired, but somehow more vitalized than when he started, throws up his hand and yells, "Save me somebody!"
Amazing!
As it turns out, Bruce saved me. I finally understood why he is so popular. I never got the whole "Church of Springsteen" thing and never thought his biggest songs I heard growing up were anything so special. I liked them fine, but I like a lot of songs and artists. I only regard a handfull as beign something more; something special. Turns out I never gave Bruce enough of a chance.
My loss.
Since 2000 when this all went down I have become a die hard Boss fan. I have all the albums, I've been fortunate enough to see him a few times (thanks to "The Rising" and its tour coming right on the heels of my new found love and respect for the Boss as a performer and his lyrics), I've found quite a few songs that have inspired me in one way or another, I've gotten others into him and, God help me, I even karaoke his stuff. I consider myself on board with those who have been with him as far back as they can remember, because I feel like I have been too.
"Tenth Avenue," which is roughly 3 songs from the end of the HBO version, was what drew me in. The concert would soon be over and, obviously, I had fallen hard. Both for Springsteen and this live performance. I was kicking myself for not coming to this realization sooner, but I could not wait to right this terrible wrong. I rushed out and picked up the DVD and watched it over and over. At the same time I bought the cd version and listened to it over and over. This, other than previously purchasing "Greatest His" in '95 when I was 16 (even as a non-die hard Bruce fan I knew then that it was severly lacking in many a great songs; I just didn't realize how many), was my main introduction to the Boss. Years later, I wouldn't have the introduction any other way. Knowing what I now know about Bruce, his songs in various versions, and his live performances, the stuff captured here ranks among his best. At least in terms putting someone-new-to-Bruce's jaw on the floor.
So after going back and listening to all Bruce's stuff, falling in love with much of it, and driving everyone crazy who doesn't share my fascination with him (although most who watch this and have heard some of the stuff I told them they just had to hear, do see what I'm talking about; even if it doesn't convert them the way it did me, they can see there is so much more to Bruce than they ever thought and now understand why he is a legen to so many), I can honestly say that "Live in NYC" improves on many of Bruce's best works. And that's not an easy thing.
I've read some people complain about a relative lack of hits and standards here, but what is here is as good as anything he has ever done. To see the setlist does not do the quality justice since Bruce improves on so much and does so much differently. Emotionally, every song benefits from his live energy. Besides "Tenth Ave..." standouts include "Atlantic City," which completely reinvents the song. Bruce's vocals are so tight, so emotive, they send chills. Ditto "Youngstown" and "Lost In the Flood." All three of these songs best their album versions here. Only the DVD contains performances of "Backstreets" and "Darknes On the Edge Of Town," and its a damn shame there wasn't room for them on the CD because they too fall into the better-live category. Again, its the emotion in both the vocal quality as well as the all around playing; from Bruce's guitar work to the band's playing as a whole. I've been trying to get these audio versions ("Darkness" apears on the "Waiting on a Sunny Day" single along with "Thunder Road" and "Born to Run" from these NYC shows; but "Backstreets" remains MIA). "Light of Day" works in the same vein as "Tenth Avenue...," with Bruce takin' us to church and baptising us with his gospel of rock n' roll. It is an energetic, frenzied moment that will get you on your feet as if a you were just hit with 1,000 volts of electricity. Most concerts should be so lucky as to have one moment such as this. This show has (at least) two.
And I can't begin to explain his guitar chops on "Prove It All Night" and "Murder Inc." He is phenomenal to watch work that axe. Both the DVD and CD give all the guitar solos a big, blistering, stand out sound. You've never heard Bruce like this in the studio (this guitar-hero-greatness extends on an equal, and maybe larger, scale on the Barcelona DVD, if only because there are more chances for him bust it out on that set).
For that legendary E-Street comrodere, you can't beat "Tenth Ave..." here, but "Two Hearts," the super-chardged, cut-lose fun of "Ramrod," the block party that is "Out in the Street," and the emotional bond of "If I Should Fall Behind," are all a thing of beauty to behold - especially during this reunion phase. This crew needs eachother. Just look at Bruce's "Plugged" from his E-Street departure days - they are not the same apart. Yes, Bruce is a solo artist and the songs are his, but he is never better than when he is with his brothers (and first lady) at his side. Together they make his songs theirs - and ours. This is a band - not Bruce and some backing band. They are not replaceable. Even "E-Steet Shuffle," which plays over the end credits, sounds so good and so fun, I wish we could see the performance and I wish it were included on the CD.
So maybe there was a reason I had to stomach Creed after all. Oh yeah, and as far as this item, if I didn't mention it; get it! Both the DVD and CD.
It may just change your life.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band - Live in New York City (2001)

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's emotional ten-night stand at Madison Square Garden inspired an Emmy-winning HBO special, a critically acclaimed live album, and now this 2-DVD set, featuring 11 songs not included in the HBO broadcast, as well as "NYC Serenade," a 15-minute featurette culled from rare interview, concert and rehearsal footage. Songs: My Love Will Not Let You Down, Prove It All Night, Two Hearts, Atlantic City, Mansion on the Hill, The River, Youngstown, Murder Incorporated, Badlands, Out in the Street, Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out, Born to Run, Land of Hope and Dreams, American Skin (41 Shots), Backstreets, Don't Look Back, Darkness on the Edge of Town, Lost in the Flood, Born in the U.S.A., Jungleland, Light of Day, The Promise, Thunder Road, Ramrod, If I Should Fall Behind. 190 minutes.

Get 7% OFF

Click here for more information about Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band - Live in New York City (2001)