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Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
George Paul Live DVD Round Up
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
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Irish music roundup: The Saw Doctors, Chieftains, Dropkick Murphys, Celtic Thunder
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."
Get: Voyage, Here
- Robert Kinsler
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 DoctorsTitle: 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 ChieftainsTitle: 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 MurphysTitle: 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 ThunderTitle: 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."
Get: Voyage, Here
- Robert Kinsler
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