In this column I review two newly-issued Blu-ray releases.
Artist: Peter Gabriel
Title: Taking The Pulse (Mercury Studios)
You might like if you enjoy: Peter Gabriel, Radiohead, elbowTell me more: Peter Gabriel's "Taking The Pulse" is an ambitious concert film that finds the groundbreaking English. artist and the New Blood Orchestra reworking 16 selections sans guitars, bass and drums. Working with arranger John Metcalfe, the concert filmed on Sept. 26, 2010 captured Gabriel, several backing singers and a full orchestra under the baton of Ben Foster performing at the legendary Arena di Verona in Italy.
The thrilling performance seen on the newly-released Mercury Studios Blu-ray includes a parade of beloved Gabriel songs including the chilling "San Jacinto" (which makes full use of the orchestra's powers), driving "Digging in the Dirt," dynamic "Signal to Noise" that grows in might with each passing measure, the wistful "Mercy Street," luxurious "Red Rain," buoyant "Solsbury Hill," and emotive "In Your Eyes" and "Don't Give Up" — the latter two bolstered by Ane Brun's vocals that work well with Gabriel's signature baritone. Directed by Anna Gabriel, "Taking The Pulse" fuses dazzling concert footage with dramatic lighting and artful graphics to deliver Peter Gabriel's theatrical vision across the 97-minute performance. Information: mercurystudios.co or PeterGabriel.com.
Title: Message In A Bottle (Mercury Studios)
Tell me more: Fans of the music of The Police and Sting, as well as lovers of top-tier modern dance will all find something to love on the newly released filmed adaptation of the stage production of "Message In A Bottle." Available now via a beautiful two-disc 4K Ultra HD+Blu-ray edition presented by Mercury Studios and Sadler's Wells, the celebrated full-length dance show plays out against the music of 17-time Grammy Award winner Sting. Kate Prince's choreography fuels a compelling storyline featuring two dozen or so dancers from ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company. The audio and visual quality on the release is fantastic.
The new recordings of many of Sting's most recognized and beloved songs are artfully used to help propel the story of a displaced family and their journey through joy, love, despair and triumph. Alex Lacamoire's new arrangements feature Sting and guest artists such as Beverley Knight singing "Every Breath You Take," "Roxanne," "Fields of Gold," "Shape Of My Heart," "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," "Invisible Sun" and many others. A number of dance styles ranging from pantomime, break dancing, ballet, folk and expressionist dance are used by the talented cast.
In the notes provided to this writer, Sting accurately states: "When I first saw 'Message In A Bottle,' I was overwhelmed by all the different styles of dance in the show. What I really didn't expect was to be so emotionally engaged in the story. Kate's imaginative story and beautiful choreography has brought my songs to new life, and I am thrilled that there is now a film of the fantastic stage show."
Information: mercurystudios.co.
Robert Kinsler
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