The variety of new releases available on DVD these days continues to grow in leaps and bounds, and like their CD counterparts, these offerings are starting to spotlight an array of obscure artists and bonus features boasting an increasing appeal to specialized collectors. This month, Sights & Sounds takes an in-depth look at some of the offerings that go an extra step further in terms of archival interest.
While Wilco, the Jayhawks and Son Volt might have spurred the resurgence of alt-country and roots rock in the early ‘90s, it was Gram Parsons that helped actually invent the genre in the late ‘60s. Known as the original Cosmic Cowboy, Parsons encouraged the Byrds to evolve from their folk rock beginnings and to become the first true country rock hybrid. He took that notion even further when he founded the Flying Burrito Brothers with his former Byrds buddies Chris Hillman and Michael Clarke, prior to going solo and ultimately tapping the then-unknown Emmylou Harris as his singing partner. Fallen Angel, an expansive documentary from Rhino distribution, covers all facets of Parson’s illustrious, but ultimately short-lived career (he died from an overdose at age 27). With a wealth of rare behind-the-scenes clips, little-seen concert sequences, and interviews with Parsons associates (Hillman, Harris, Keith Richards etc.), it’s the last word in terms of a true Parsons perspective.
With the single exception of the legendary Robert Johnson, there’s no other artist as intrinsically identified with the development of modern Blues than the late Muddy Waters. Classic Concerts, a new release from the seminal Chess label, touts three historic shows -- a 1960 appearance at the Newport Jazz Festival, a set recorded at the Copenhagen Jazz Festival in 1968 and his performance at Norway’s Molde Jazz Festival in 1977. Aside from the wealth of archival offerings and his takes on such signature songs as “Got My Mojo Working,� “Mean Mistreater and “Rollin’ Stone� (the song that inspired the Rolling Stones to adopt their moniker), the DVD features a pair of rare interviews and a sixteen page booklet featuring contributions from Stones bassist Bill Wyman and Bob Margolin, Waters’ guitarist throughout most of the ‘70s. A must for Blues enthusiasts, it’s also an enlightening experience for anyone interested in the roots of rock ‘n’ roll.
Thin Lizzy’s Phil Lynott was another musician who made an everlasting impact before dying way too young. One Night In Dublin, a tribute to Lynott from guitarist Gary Moore and other former members of Thin Lizzy, taps the bassists’ repertoire for an entertaining evening of Lizzy largesse. In essence, this is a reunion show featuring the key players from every phase of Thin Lizzy’s rollercoaster career, and while the band’s passionate performances of such key classics as “The Boys Are back In Town,� “Jailbreak� and “Don’t Believe A Word� sound as exhilarating as ever, Lynott’s presence, as both a player and personality, is sorely missed.
Willy DeVille was one of the key players in the evolution from punk to the new breed of singer/songwriter whose ranks included Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, Graham Parker and Joe Jackson. These were artists who managed to coral the passion and veracity of that insurgent sound and turn into a means of venting their fire and frustration. DeVille’s partial namesakes, Mink DeVille, were similarly inspired by the era’s angst and intensity, but channeled it in such a way as to reflect back on rock’s earlier roots. DeVille has continued to put out an ongoing series of exceptional solo efforts, and in what may be his first complete concert on DVD, he samples that repertoire with a refurbished Mink DeVille during a show filmed at Amsterdam’s infamous Paradiso Club. Naturally, the set includes all the Willy/Mink DeVille classics – “Cadillac Walk,� Spanish Stroll,� and “Savoir Faire,� among them -- each delivered with the gypsy mystique and dark deliberation that makes his music so mesmerizing.
Speaking of personalities, the enigmatic Kate Bush is one of rock’s most fascinating chanteuses and her recent return with the hugely acclaimed double disc Aerial has brought the retiring songstress back from her self-imposed exile, much to the delight of her many devotees. A new edition of the Under Review series offers an opportunity to examine her career via her earlier efforts, courtesy of the commentary provided by various journalists and musical friends. The academic nature of all the analysis sometimes proves a bit heady – after all, is music meant to be dissected or simply enjoyed? – but the generous array of live and studio clips, rare videos and the occasional interview makes this a must-have for the Bush faithful. Given this enigmatic artist’s closely guarded privacy and her reticence to invite speculation about her work and her personal life, the Kate Bush Under Review DVD may be the most complete look at the work of one of the most brilliant and influential musical women of the past thirty years.
The Korgis aren’t nearly as well known, but they have their devotees nevertheless. Evolving out of the folk-rock eccentricities of Stackridge, the band achieved a level of songwriting skill that placed them at the pinnacle of the ‘70s and ‘80s soft rock sound. The group’s been largely dormant for the past twenty years or so, with individual members spinning off in a mostly futile attempt to achieve individual notoriety. So it’s a subtle pleasure that England’s Angel Air label has offered up The Korgis DVD Kollection, the ultimate word on all things connected to this easy-going, soft core trio. While the disc may spur only the vaguest recollections from all but the most devoted disciples, the song “Everybody’s Got To Learn Sometime� ought to fan a faint glow of recognition. Besides, anyone needing a quick primer will find it in the “Off The Leash� feature and the ample history and discography. Ultimately though, the 14-song unplugged session and handful of promo videos offers all the evidence necessary as to why Korgis Kultists are a faithful breed.
They Might Be Giants have built an entire career on unpredictability and their latest DVD, Venue Songs, continues that tradition. The DVD/CD combo documents their 2004 tour, which found them writing a special song for each venue they played every night of the tour. You’d think the pressure to compose on the spot, on tour, would take its toll on their output, but surprisingly, each track – at least as documented here – is topnotch, not to mention catchy and clever in a Giants sort of way. The disc also includes a travelogue and bonus videos, which, as any TMBG fan will tell you, are as wildly amusing and outrageously unpredictable as the performances themselves.
