Sunday, October 20, 2013

Music DVDs help fans revisit magical concerts


A trio of excellent new DVD releases courtesy of Eagle Rock Entertainment offer a wide range of magical musical experiences in all their sonic and visual glory. 
Artist: Morrissey
Title: 25Live (Eagle Rock)
You might like if you enjoy: The Smiths, Morrissey
Tell me more: The James Russell-directed Morrissey 25Live offers a front row seat for Morrissey's already-legendary performance at Hollywood High School staged on March 2, 2013 in the intimate 1,800-seat school auditorium. The 90-minute concert film celebrates Steven Patrick Morrissey's 25-year anniversary as a solo artist, and includes many of his most beloved songs including "Everyday Is Like Sunday," "November Spawned a Monster" and "You Have Killed Me." The one-time Smiths frontman also performs a number of that band's classics including an unsettling "Meat Is Murder," a tender "Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want" and a set-ending "The Boy With The Thorn In His Side."  There are also some great bonus features too. 25Live is available on DVD and Blu-ray. Information: www.eaglerockent.com. 

Artists: Queen, Metallica, Def Leppard, Bob Geldof, Guns 'n' Roses, more
Title: The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert (Eagle Rock)
You might like if you enjoy: Queen, Def Leppard, David Bowie, The Who
Tell me more: There is a far-flung number of musical greats featured on The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert, a memorable and inspired event staged on April 20, 1992 in memory of Queen's lead singer. Highlights abound, including "Now I'm Here" (performed by Def Leppard with the help of Queen guitarist Brian May), a hard rocking version of "Tie Your Mother Down" (with guest work from guitar hero Slash) and "I Want It All" (where Queen is joined by singer Roger Daltrey and guitarist Tony Iommi). One of the more interesting spots is a winning performance from Bob Geldof of the song "Too Late God," an Americana song he had written with Mercury. Information: www.MercuryPhoenixTrust.com. 

Artist: Deep Purple
Title: Deep Purple – Perfect Strangers (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
You might like if you enjoy: Rainbow, UFO, early Deep Purple
Tell me more: Although heavy metal pioneer Deep Purple was launched in the late 1960s, the group's commercial and creative zenith may well have peaked with the release of 1984's epic Perfect Strangers album which came with the unlikely reunion of singer Ian Gillan, guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, keyboardist Jon Lord, bassist Roger Glover and drummer Ian Paice after an eight-year hiatus. That album yielded two huge hard rock staples ("Knocking at Your Back Door," "Perfect Strangers") and a worldwide tour; a newly-issued DVD features the only commercial full-length concert footage available from that legendary "Perfect Strangers" road trip. The great news for fans of Deep Purple is that the concert, captured in Melbourne, Australia, is stellar and features classics such as "Highway Star," "Space Truckin' " and "Smoke on the Water" too. Deep Purple – Perfect Strangers is available on DVD (reviewed here), and in several other packages including as a 2-CD audio release, a 2 CD/1 DVD bundle, and finally as a super deluxe set that is comprised of 2 vinyl records, 2 audio CDs and the single-disc DVD. Information: www.EagleRockEnt.com.

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