Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on April 10th, 2004
I hate Carly Simon. However, I feel that as I am supposed to be an impartial reviewer, so I should get that out of the way right here at the start. I have never liked her, though I am not really sure why. Maybe it is her freakishly large mouth. Maybe it’s that fact that “You’re So Vain” really is about the person who thinks it’s about them. Whatever the reason, I just can’t help it. She makes me cringe.
The good news is, now that I have viewed this disc, I have plenty of valid reasons to hate her. Ob...iously, I am not Simon’s target audience, but my job as a reviewer is to give my opinion, so that’s what I will do. This entire concert, filmed on the beach at Martha’s Vineyard in 1987, has all the earmarks of a Docker’s commercial. Pastel sweaters, frilly skirts and wine coolers abound in this ode to aging yuppies.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on March 3rd, 2004
For those of you who are into bands like Phish, Dave Matthews and The Grateful Dead you probably already know who this band is. For the rest of us The String Cheese Incident is made up of a group of fairly accomplished musicians from all different genres that are prone to playing very long songs. The songs tend to journey through all different styles from country to rock to jazz to blues and more. This disc features two different performances at the famous Fillmore in Denver.
Video
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on December 16th, 2003
The Pat Metheny Group is one of those bands that I have heard of, but that's about all. I seem to recall the name, but I couldn’t tell you what kind of music they play, or if they are any good. They seem to fall into the "miscellaneous information" bin of my brain.
After viewing this DVD, at least one of those questions has been answered. While I still have a problem defining their style of music (progressive/new age/jazz?), their level of musicianship cannot be denied. These are wonderfully talented musici...ns… some of the most talented that I have ever heard. I feel as though terms like "the best ever" get thrown around an awful lot, usually without merit. This is the exception to that rule. These truly are some of the best musicians that I have ever heard in my entire life.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on December 11th, 2003
Synopsis
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on December 9th, 2003
Synopsis
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 21st, 2003
Roy Orbison’s career spanned 5 decades of music. Predominantly a 50’s artist, his catchy ballads became standards in the 60’s and 70’s. By the 90’s ELO master Jeff Lynne used his skills to give Orbison a tremendous comeback and a new modern sound. Orbison sadly passed away during the peak of this newfound fame and never saw the release of his last hit album.
Audio
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on November 11th, 2003
Primus is an enigma wrapped in a funk groove. The band members may come and go (and come again), but bassist Les Claypool stays the same. Seemingly the twisted spawn of Robin Williams and Victor Wooten, Claypool is a fanciful musical genius, an artist so ahead of everybody else that we all know he’s fantastic, but nobody knows exactly why.
Some of those “why’s” are answered on this DVD. It includes a smorgasbord of video clips, which cover what seems to be every single moment that the band has been on film....All of their music videos are included here, as well as some “making of…” segments, rare live performances, home video and broadcast radio performances. The result is the most complete record of Claypool’s body of work yet assembled. Strange, wonderful and sometimes a little creepy, Primus never ceases to push the envelope of popular music, and of sanity.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on November 10th, 2003
dc Talk mixed up the formula on their “Supernatural” album, trading in their signature hip-hop for a much more progressive sound. The result is what I consider to be their best album to date. While they are not afraid to continue to sprinkle some hip-hop into their work, the majority of the songs are more modern pop and rock based tunes. Their stage show has also come up to date, complete with a sleek stripped down look to the sets.
This disc captures some of the songs performed on the tour, mixed in with i...terview segments and music videos. The result is an “all in one” approach to a DVD title, as the feature and the extras are mixed together to form one major presentation. The result is something easy to watch, yet entirely unique. It is a documentary, of sorts, capturing the band during one short season of their artistic journey. This is the best of the numerous dc Talk DVDs on the market today.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on November 1st, 2003
The Christian rock/rap group dc Talk had gone about as far as it could go by the new millennium, and they found themselves at a crossroads. There was virtually no new ground for them to tread upon as a group, but they didn’t want to shut down the show, either. Instead, the band went on hiatus. Each member subsequently put out a solo record, and started the process of building a fan base all over again.
All of the solo albums are surprisingly good in their own unique way, and all have done fairly well at re...ail. This DVD is the companion piece to tobyMac’s “Momentum” record, the only one with such a support piece. The disc’s main event is a collection of three videos from the album; “Extreme Days”, “Get This Party Started” and “Irene”. The “Extreme Days” piece also comes with a bonus alternate ending, which I happen to prefer to the original.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on October 30th, 2003
dc Talk is a bit of an anomaly in the growing Christian music scene. While not necessarily a group that crosses over into the mainstream, they have grown into about as big of a Christian music act as they can become. The group is made up of three members, each one unique in their musical style and talents. The rock, rap and pop influences they bring together blend to create something new and unique. Backed by a full band, dc Talk has created a live show that rivals most major mainstream acts.
Welcome to th... FreakShow is a concert video, shot during the support tour for the group’s “Jesus Freak” album. Footage from the show is intercut with backstage footage, interview segments, and scenes from different stops on the European leg of the tour. These bonus segments help to break up the show into something that is more enjoyable for home viewing than just a standard concert performance.
