Concert dvd recommendations - Page 51

Hah weren't the Stones horrid at the Super Bowl? They should have retired 10 years ago. Truthfully, I never thought they were a great live band, Keith Richard's
sloppy guitar is somewhat appealing, but .... watching Mick is like watching someone try to sing with a horrible nerve disease.

I think U2 is stale as well... they are certainly competent, and I can listen to them easier than i can watch them , but Bono's crooning, pretentious vocals teamed with that soupy blended instrumental sound of theirs is not to my tastes.
I kind of wish Bono had gotten the World Bank President's job last year ( he was a top candidate), since I love how he teams center-left politics and real-world economics

Completely disagree that they are "stale". Did you see them on their last 2 tours? Have you picked up their last 2 albums? Both are full of interesting and creative rock and roll which is not simply a retread but still has the signature U2 sound. Not many groups around 25 years after they arrived on the scene are still making vital relevant records, setting tour records whereever they go and winning Grammys. They are simply one of the best live rock and roll bands ever, and they put on an awesome energetic show. You like bands with an awesome back catalog, a dynamic and charismatic lead singer, and play live with passion and guts, then U2 should be your band. I don't know what "soupy" sound you're listening to--I just saw them a few months ago and they sounded razor sharp.
They came back for 3 encores, including a rousing version of Lennon's Instant Karma a few days after the anniversary of his death. Great stuff.

I agree that Bono has always been somewhat of a closet nightclub singer, but I'd still probably listen to their stuff over most of what's out there now. I know squonk don't agree, but I also think that their best days are probably behind them, especially if you've followed them from day one. In the beginning, they were known for their music being great, and were just concentrating on being good rock & rollers - now, they're more highly regarded for their "social consciousness" than anything else. The Grammy crowd tends to be pretty far to the left, like the Oscars', and Bono's recent philanthropic doings probably influences them somewhat in their voting, but I'd still rather see them win than those pseudo-soul singers and (c)rap artists. Over their whole career I think they've been an excellent band, but I just base it on their music, because that's all that's gonna matter in the end anyway, right? I always felt their rhythm section was exceptional, but certainly never considered Evans any kind of virtuoso, that's for sure. In fact I just noticed for the first time the other night that he p-tunes his guitar. That tells you plenty right there. When he gets to those real high notes with the slide, I can kinda cringe sometimes. And even I could just stand up there and make ringing sounds on the guitar like he does so much. But , yeah squonk, we know you idolize them, so I won't criticize them anymore. I do like them. But I think that comment Bono made the other night that it's already gone to their heads, well, let's just say I couldn't have said it better myself. At least he admits it. But if all he's doing (for AIDS, etc.) gets results, I really can't complain. I just liked them and their music a lot better when they were ONLY a rock & roll band. But even as far as their music goes - it's not like they've ever really influenced anyone musically like the greatest band's have.

I bought a recent album of theirs for my daughter, and neither of us caught on to it after 2 listens. Their music sounds forced and unnatural to me ... I actually dont think Bono is a musical genius, he seems to somehow preservere and create some good music, but I dont think it comes naturally to him...

Yeah, by "The Joshua Tree" they had completely lost me. That album was the most monotonous album I've ever heard by a rock band. It sounds like the same song just being played continuously through the whole album. Even "The Unforgettable Fire" was so-so. All there best stuff is on the first three albums. At least they've gotten back to rock somewhat in their more recent albums. I will give them that. But be prepared for another barrage as soon as squonk reads this.

I was a so-so U2 fan until Achtung Baby. I loved it. When I saw their Zoo TV concert, I nearly died. It reinvigerated my love for music and music performance. I can only hope that Zoo TV Live from Sydney makes it to BD or HD-DVD. My LD is looking its age.

Collective Soul - Home....just came out this week (Feb 7th). Playing in their hometown of Atlanta, with the Atlanta Youth Symphony Orchestra (very talented buch of HS age kids). Vet high production value, with great picture quality (anamorphic WS) and sound (DD 5.1). If you are in any way a Collective Soul fan, then cjeck this one out. At about $12 to $14 for the DVD, it is an absolute bargin for the quality of the music and DVD. Highly recommended! JEFF

I take back what I said about U2 not influencing anyone - they've certainly influenced Coldplay. If you can call an outright copycat band as being influenced.

Cool! They are a great band with really strong songwriting. I bought their Live On Location DVD and it's terrible (IMHO) - acoustic, done in towns and outdoor settings, totally lame-o.

Will go pick up Home today. Thanks for the heads-up.

-gil

I picked up the collective soul concert & thought the video looked good but the audio was disappointing.

buzz

Any more thoughts on the Collective Soul disc? Sounds like we've got two votes for great PQ, one vote for great SQ, and a vote for poor SQ...

benezrj -- where'd you get it for that price?

U2 is far from stale,thats just plain friggin silly to say. Bono's pontification can get a bit much though.
I recently picked up a live Cars dvd from Germany in 1978. Wow!! They were a cutting edge band to say the least. I was blown away to see that footage.

My son bought it at best buy on the day it came out (which is usually when they discount the price) and he paid about $14. PQ is very good; it's obvious they put a lot attention into the production value. Crowd shots look pretty clear (as far as DVD goes). I'm using Denon 2900 into my calibrated Mits 65907..so maybe that's why I think the PQ is good. As for sound, there is no DTS track, just DD 5.1 but the mix is good, in my opinion (Polk LSi's all around and 2 SVS 20-39 PC+ subs). Most importantly, the band is crisp and tight, well-rehearsed. And the youth orchestra is great and it all blends together well. If you are a COllective Soul fan, I can't see you being disappointed. JEFF

All their best music was on the first 3 albums? Have you listened to Achtung Baby, probably their best album overall? Have you listened to their latest album? Blinded By the City of Lights belongs right up there with any U2 classic. I don't idolize U2, nor do I think Bono is a genius. They are simply a great rock and roll band. They are not may favorite, but they are up there. Bono is a charismatic singer and a decent songwriter. But to say they haven't influenced anybody is just silly. There are dozens and dozens of bands that have grown up and listened to U2. The whole recent back to guitar rock sound that has come about as a reaction to rap/hiphop is most certainly influenced by bands such as U2, and they are still going strong. You can't tell me that bands like Oasis, and more recently The Killers, The Strokes etc haven't had some U2 influence.

Virtually every band makes what most people consider their best or "favorite" albums early in their career. The band is new and fresh, especially if they have a signature sound, so that stuff they do later some people will think sounds less appealing and "more of the same". That criticism could be leveled at almost any band. But to simply dismiss a band with a 25 year career as not being interesting after 3 albums is folly. You have to look at the career as whole--their will be ups and downs along the way. And for me the final verdict is--how do they sound live? I have seen U2 live on the last 2 tours, and this is still a powerful, fresh and vital band with a great backcatalog of songs that is played with energy and musicianship. And I saw a whole lot of 20 somethings that would agree with me at those concerts. Ramminitski, on this one you are sounding like your missing the boat. Its kind of like 40s era Sinatra fans complaining that Sinatra is singing these lousy poppy swinging tunes in the late 50s--everyone is prejudiced by their time perspective. The key is to not let that pigeonhole your musical tolerances.

How can they be a "great" rock band, but only have a "decent" writer?
Weren't you the one complaining that too many movies are considered "great", when they are merely decent?

I do think they are "great" on the business end, they are similar to the Rolling Stones in that regards ... I fully expect Bono to be filling up arenas and doing Super Bowls when hes 60 too

I don't think Bono is quite up there with Springsteen, Neil Young etc, but he has written some great tunes. I call them a great band more for their playing. I think you can be a great band without having a "great" songwriter. Any number of blues rock bands would fit that bill, as well as bands such as Led Zeppelin or The Who. I think the most similar older band to U2 would be the Who. While I think Townshend has written some great songs, overall I would call him a good songwriter. As a BAND, the Who were GREAT. They are more known for their playing. U2 is the WHO of the last 20 years.

I don't agree that The Who were MORE known for their playing. And I don't think that needs any explaining. When did you start getting in to them? After Moon's death? They were always most highly respected for their songs, period. And that's not opinion - that's pure fact.

Nope, been an avid Who fan since Who's Next. As I said, I think Townshend's written some great songs, but I don't think I'm off base in saying first and foremost, the Who are known for their playing as a live band. I don't think anyone would place Townshend up there with Lennon/McCartney as songwriters, but you could make an argument that they were the greatest live band ever. I thought they were a much better live band than the Stones.

This is a good comparison. Peter Townshend, has had huge success writing very focused songs about some aspect of life, whether is be his generation, the revolution, punk rockers ( Rough Boys) or growing older, I offer you one example, of a great rock writer in action:

Slit Skirts
By Pete Townshend

I was just thirty-four years old and I was still wandering in a haze
I was wondering why everyone I met seemed like they were
Lost in a maze
I don't know why I thought I should have some kind of
Divine right to the blues
It's sympathy not tears people need when they're the
Front page sad news.

The incense burned away and the stench began to rise
And lovers now estranged avoided catching each others' eyes
And girls who lost their children cursed the men who fit the coil
And men not fit for marriage took their refuge in the oil
No one respects the flame quite like the fool who's badly burned
From all this you'd imagine that there must be something learned

[Chorus]
Slit skirts, Jeanie never wears those slit skirts
And I don't ever wear no ripped shirts
Can't pretend that growing older never hurts.
Knee pants, Jeanie never wears no knee pants
Have to be so drunk to try a new dance
So afraid of every new romance
Slit skirts, slit skirt
Jeanie isn't wearing those slit skirts, slit skirt
She wouldn't dare in those slit skirts, slit skirt
Wouldn't be seen dead in no slit skirt
Romance, romance, why aren't we thinking up romance?
Why can't we drink it up true heart romance
Just need a brief new romance


Let me tell you some more about myself, you know I'm sitting at home just now.
The big events of the day are passed and the late TV shows have come around.
I'm number one in the home team, but I still feel unfulfilled.
A silent voice in her broken heart complaining that I'm unskilled.
And I know that when she thinks of me, she thinks of me as him,
But, unlike me, she don't work off her frustration in the gym.
Recriminations fester and the past can never change
A woman's expectations run from both ends of the range
Once she walked with untamed lovers' face between her legs
Now he's cooled and stifled and it's she who has to beg

[chorus]

Anybody's better live than the Stones - except maybe Aerosmith, Bad Company or Boston. Oh yeah - and Ashlee Simpson.

And I'm not talking about Townshend's songwriting - I'm talking about The Who's recordings.

Do you know who wrote The Who's songs?

Duh - no, Who? Squonk said they were better known for their playing and live shows - I contended that they are actually BEST known for their SONGS, meaning their recorded output - what you buy on CD and what you hear on the radio. Townshends writing doesn't enter into the equation as far as my response went. But for the record, I think he's a pretty good songwriter, too.

i would give ac/dc 3 out of 5 stars for pq and sq. the tom petty is the best i have seen for pq and sq. 5 of 5 for tom and the heart breakers. the ac/dc is an amazing peformance. there must of been well over 500k people there. very good stuff. if just the pq was better

That's strange - why would it only be in 4:3 when it was recorded in 16:9? Hmmm. Anyway, that was one of the best "Soundstage"s, but I still put Steve Winwood as the best. I've never seen a band as good sounding and as tight as that show. Of course, if you're not old enough to be familiar with most of his Traffic stuff, then Tom Petty's a totally acceptable choice.

The Soundstage DVDs are all good stuff. Very well produced and good sound. I have virtually every one of them if I haven't recorded it already on DVD. I thought the Petty one was widescreen too, that is strange. A double DVD at that, with some great older rock and roll that influenced Petty on that one. Petty and his band never fail to deliver--a quintessential American rock and roll band.

The Winwood show was great too. I saw Winwood in a small club like that last summer, what a thrill, since I never got to see Traffic live. Nice and tight, with the signature voice.

Yep, totally professional. I didn't realize the Petty one was a double set - I'll have to check that out, because there must be a lot of great stuff on there to fill it all up. There's a band that will never go out of style, for sure. By the way, I've been meaning to ask you, do you have that latest Hackett DVD? I'd like to hear some input on it before I spring for it, for Border's obscene prices.

Which one, the Hungarian one or the South American one? I don't have the Hungarian one yet. The SA one is awesome.

I should of mentioned on the back it said 4x3 but it was in 16x9. when he play Malinda it is just incredible!

I should of mentioned on the back it said 4x3 but it was in 16x9. when he plays Malinda it is just incredible!