Saturday, September 07, 2013

DVD reviews: Vintage Trouble; Portnoy Sheehan MacAlpine Sherinian; Carlos Santana & John McLaughlin

Here is my latest syndicated album/DVD column. My column ran in Desert Star Weekly and on Music News Nashville earlier this week...


Highly-Anticipated DVDs Deliver Sonic Thrills Aplenty

by Robert Kinsler
Vintage Trouble, supergroup Portnoy Sheehan MacAlpine Sherinian and a multi-format title pairing guitar legends Carlos Santana and John McLaughlin are featured on exciting new DVDs that are required viewing for fans.
VintageTroubleDVDArtist: Vintage Trouble
Title: 80 Shows 100 Days (Vintage Trouble Records)
You might like if you enjoy: James Brown, Led Zeppelin, Otis Redding
Tell me more: Anyone who saw Los Angeles-based rock ‘n’ soul quartet Vintage Trouble in concert knows the power of these rising stars. Now comes the perfect documentary to chronicle what makes the band so special. Both fascinating and insightful, the “80 Shows 100 Days” documentary filmed on Vintage Trouble’s 2011 European tour really allows the band members and management team to share the genesis of the group’s rise, while the second disc on “80 Shows 100 Days” features a rousing full-length concert with the band filmed on Aug. 4, 2011 in Glasgow, Scotland. Information: www.VintageTrouble.com.
Portney-Sheehan_live-in-tokyoArtist: Portnoy Sheehan MacAlpine Sherinian
Title: Live in Tokyo (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
You might like if you enjoy: Dream Theater, Black Country Communion, Mr. Big
Tell me more: Released on DVD, Blu-ray, CD and even digital video, the teaming of prog rock heroes Mike Portnoy (drums), Billy Sheehan (bass), Tony MacAlpine (guitar) and Derek Sherinian (keyboards) shines on this 16-track concert captured when the quartet performed “Live in Tokyo” in November 2012. The obvious draw here is the opportunity to catch four virtuoso players fusing their talents in a live setting. Highlights include versions of Dream Theater’s “A Change of Seasons: The Crimson Sunrise” and “Shy Boy.” What’s more, the DVD and Blu-ray versions of this release feature a behind-the-scenes featurette providing more insight into this modern-day supergroup. Information: www.eaglerockent.com.
santana-and-mclaughlinArtist: Carlos Santana & John McLaughlin
Title: Invitation to Illumination: Live at Montreux 2011 (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
You might like if you enjoy: Santana, John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola
Tell me more: Music lovers who appreciate virtuoso guitar work and extended jams will want to get “Invitation to Illumination: Live at Montreux 2011.” Featuring Carlos Santana and John McLaughlin trading licks against a rich soundscape presented by their talented band, highlights include the majority of tracks off their 1973 album “Love Devotion Surrrender.” A creative instrumental medley soars when their guitars sing in tandem on “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” before Santana gracefully plays lead as the ensemble segues into “Stairway to Heaven.” ”Invitation to Illumination” is available on DVD, Blu-ray and digital video. Information: www.eaglerockent.com.

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