Looking to give the gift of music to some deserving friend or family member. Or maybe even pick up something for yourself?
Many of 2010's finest music DVD titles are out now. And adding to that good news is most of the new releases retail for well under $20.
Artist: The Rolling Stones
Title: "Ladies & Gentlemen...The Rolling Stones"
Worth Buying: You have to ask? Definitely!
You will be interested in this DVD if you are a fan of: The Rolling Stones
Tell Me More: Anyone who picked up the fantastic reissue of The Rolling Stones' "Exile On Main Street" earlier this year will want to get Eagle Rock Entertainment's Oct. 12 release of the British rockers' 1974 film "Ladies & Gentlemen...The Rolling Stones." The band was on tour in support of "Exile On Main Street" when filmmakers captured the Stones over the course of four nights in Texas in 1972.
Anyone who wonders just how great the Stones were during this period need only watch this DVD, complete with a wealth of extras that sheds further light on a line-up that featured singer Mick Jagger, guitarist Keith Richards, drummer Charlie Watts, bassist Bill Wyman, guitarist Mick Taylor along with touring players Bobby Keys (saxophone), Jim Price (horns) and Nicky Hopkins (piano). Whether playing straight-ahead rockers ("Brown Sugar," "Jumpin' Jack Flash"), British blues ("All Down the Line," "Sweet Virginia"), alt-country ("Dead Flowers") or psychedelic gems ("You Can't Always Get What You Want"), watching the Rolling Stones here is a revelation. Particularly the magic that Taylor's flawless guitar work added via slide playing ("Love In Vain," All Down the Line") and fiery lead work seemingly everywhere (notably on "Gimme Shelter" and "Street Fighting Man").
What about the packaging? The DVD version of "Ladies & Gentlemen...The Rolling Stones" comes in a hard shell case with a colorful booklet that doubles as a poster. The release is also available on Blu-ray for under $20.
Get Ladies & Gentlemen The Rolling Stones, Here
Artist: Colin Hay
Title: "Live at the Corner"
Worth Buying: Yes
Tell Me More: When Men At Work disbanded in 1986, many casual listeners may have figured the world had heard the last of singer Colin Hay. Fast forward nearly 25 years later and Hay has created a rich and wide-ranging catalog of strong albums winning him a new generation of fans - particularly via his original songs being featured in popular films ("Garden State") and television shows (notably "Army Wives" and "Scrubs," the latter where he made several on-camera cameo appearances).
But it wasn't until 2010 that Hay released a full-length DVD featuring live performances of his best known Men At Work hits, as well as more recent material. "Live at the Corner" boasts nearly two dozen songs from Hay and his band captured in high definition at the Corner Hotel in Melbourne, Australia. Bonus material provides additional performances, including a duet of "Melbourne Song" with his sister Carol Hay and an extensive interview.
What about the packaging? This colorful, eco-friendly package features the performance footage in high-definition, widescreen format with incredible sound quality.
Get Colin Hay - Live at the Corner - Here
Artist: The Beatles
Title: The 4 Complete Ed Sullivan Shows Starring The Beatles
Worth Buying: Yes
You will be interested in this DVD if you are a fan of: The Beatles, “The Ed Sullivan Show,1960s pop culture.
Tell Me More: With the world having celebrated what would have been John Lennon's 70th birthday this year (and the 30th anniversary of his tragic death this month), now is the perfect time to get back to where it, Beatlemania that is all began. The 4 Complete Ed Sullivan Shows Starring The Beatles is a terrific collection time machine really where everyone can see all four complete episodes (including the original commercials featured on the broadcasts) where the Fab Four unleashed their musical and magical powers across America in 1964 and 1965 on the popular variety show. It is really magical to see the quartet tear through gems like "All My Loving," "She Loves You" and "I Saw Her Standing There" at a moment where nobody knew where it would all lead. Looking at the restored footage on the two-disc set, it's easy to glimpse with 20/20 vision and marvel at the Beatles' still- monumental grasp on popular music. The DVD also includes 13 minutes of behind-the-scenes moments from "The Ed Sullivan Show," including a brief interview Sullivan conducted with John, Paul, George and Ringo in London in 1964 in connection with the release of "A Hard Day's Night."
What about the packaging? The 4 Complete Ed Sullivan Shows Starring The Beatles looks like a small book. When you open the colorful booklet, both DVDs are presented on one panel while the other panel features details on each of the four episodes. Viewers can view the wide-screen episodes and listen using either Dolby Digital Stereo or Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround.
Get The Beatles and Ed Sullivan - Here
Artist: Nils Lofgren
Title: Cry Tough
Worth Buying: Yes
You will be interested in this DVD if you are a fan of: Nils Lofgren, Neil Young.
Tell Me More: Cry Tough is a wonderful collection that features legendary singer-songwriter-guitarist-pianist ace Nils Lofgren at three points in his career, all courtesy of the Rockpalast German TV series. Disc 1 features a lengthy 20-song, 1991 performance with Lofgren playing both emotive solo acoustic material (Sticks and Stones) and assured rock with a four-member band before an enthusiastic audience. As evidenced by his work with Neil Young beginning when he was in his teens and more recently as a member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, Lofgren's guitar skills shine. But what comes across in these three shows is his power as a singer able to tap into the deepest of emotions and weave his multiple gifts into genre-defying songs. His performance of the affecting rocker Keith Don't Go, A poignant Delivery Night and tender Valentine are highlights on the first disc. Fans of Lofgren's 1970s project will love the
persuasive take on that outfit's rousing and mystical rocker Moon Tears. Disc 2 features two concerts; a 1976 date with nine tracks and a 1979 outing featuring 15 selections. The early concerts are especially revealing, with Lofgren's style a wide-ranging mix of Southern rock,
"Moondance"-era Van Morrison and traditional blues blended into something his own. What do all three concerts have in common? The personable and talented Lofgren sharing real world emotions in song while unleashing impressive solos on acoustic and electric guitar, as well as on piano.
What about the packaging? Cry Tough comes in a hard shell case, with a beautiful colorful booklet with details about the shows and the lineup of band members backing Lofgren at each show.
Get - Cry Tough - Here
Artist: Alison Brown Quartet
Title: "Live At Blair"
Worth Buying: Yes
You will be interested in this DVD if you are a fan of: Alison Brown, Joe Craven, David Grisman Quintet, Django Reinhardt
Tell Me More: Few artists boast the blend of virtuoso chops and wide-ranging influences showcased on the Alison Brown Quartet's new release "Live At Blair." Filmed at Vanderbilt's Blair School of Music, Brown's shining skills on banjo and guitar are one of countless reasons to watch. Her outstanding quartet (which includes pianist John R Burr, bassist Garry West and drummer Larry Atamanuik) is joined for much of the concert by master fiddle-mandolin-percussion player Joe Craven. The release features some of the troupe's best-loved gems, including a jazz-tinged version of Jean Reinhardt's "Hungaria," Brown's beautiful original composition "My Favorite Marsha" and the Celtic-flavored "The Wonderful Sea Voyage."
What about the packaging? The colorful package is a mini-album styled design with colorful photos and details about the selections and artists. The picture and sound quality of the concert is excellent.
Get - Alison Brown Quartet - Live at Blair with Joe Craven - Here
Artist: Roger McGuinn's Thunderbyrd
Title: Roger McGuinn's Thunderbyrd - West Coast Legends Vol. 4
Worth Buying: Yes
You will be interested in this DVD if you are a fan of: The Byrds, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Bob Dylan
Tell Me More: More than 33 years after Roger McGuinn's Thunderbyrd performed as part of the legendary ROCKPALAST television series on Germany's Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR), the classic performance has been released on DVD. The 15-song disc showcases Roger McGuinn's Thunderbyrd as captured in front of a large crowd on July 23 and 24, 1977. Along with band mates Rick Vito (guitar and vocals), Greg Thomas (drums) and Charlie Harrison (bass), McGuinn unleashes a wealth of classics across 72 minutes. Highlights include a version of Tom Petty's "American Girl," Vito providing solid lead vocals and blistering guitar work on the R&B-minded "Midnight Dew," and an exciting run-through of Byrds classics (including "Feel A Whole Lot Better," "Turn, Turn, Turn," "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "Eight Miles High").
What about the packaging? This DVD comes in a beautiful eco-pack with an eight-page booklet. The image quality is pretty good and the Dolby Digital sound is solid throughout.
Get - Roger McGuinn's Thunderbyrd - Here
Robert Kinsler 12/2010
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