Sunday, November 15, 2015

Legends, hit makers showcased on new DVD/Blu-ray titles

What do the far-flung likes of the Rolling Stones, Katy Perry, Lenny Kravitz and Elliott Smith have in common? All are the focus of newly-issued films available now.

Artist: The Rolling Stones
Title: From the Vault: Live at the Tokyo Dome 1990 (Eagle Vision)
You might like if you enjoy: The Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards
Tell me more: Rock fans wanting to see a Rolling Stones concert that captured the Brits at their best should check out the recent release From the Vault: Live at the Tokyo Dome 1990. Filmed during the Stones' 10-date run at the Tokyo Dome in 1990 where the band marked its first-ever live dates in Japan, the footage has been fully restored and the audio has been newly mixed by Bob Clearmountain to achieve something equaling the power of the 130-minute performance in front of 55,000 excited fans. The set list is truly perfect, balancing the band's best '60s and '70s classics with five standouts from the Stones' outstanding 1989 album Steel Wheels. The highlights come fast and furious including the soulful "The Harlem Shuffle" bolstered by the work of the Uptown Horns, the disco-rocker "Miss You" featuring Bobby Keys' terrific work on sax, the full-on rocker "Rock and a Hard Place," and an incredible performance of the band's masterwork "Gimme Shelter" with Mick Jagger and singer Cindy Mizelle trading potent lead vocals. Information: eagle-rock.com.

Buy 'From the Vault: Live at the Tokyo Dome 1990 [Blu-ray]' here



Artist: Katy Perry
Title: The Prismatic World Tour Live (Eagle Vision)
You might like if you enjoy: Katy Perry, Madonna
Tell me more: Katy Perry has scored plenty of hits since the release of her 2008 album One of the Boys, but it are the singer-songwriter's extravagant concerts that impress most. So fans of the popular pop star will be thrilled with her concert film The Prismatic World Tour Live which offers a dazzling mix of music, theatrical effects, fearless acrobatics, eye-catching costumes and radio hits galore. Filmed in Sydney, Australia in December 2014, Perry and her cast of dancers and musicians are fully showcased across the seven-act production by director Russell Thomas. A popular songstress able to masterfully blend dance-minded disco pop with light rock, high points on the concert film include the animated "Roar," EDM-styled "Wide Awake," piano-anchored ballad "By the Grace of God" and sparkling "Firework." Information: katyperry.com.

Get 'The Prismatic World Tour Live' here



Artist: Lenny Kravitz
Title: Just Let Go: Lenny Kravitz Live (Eagle Vision)
You might like if you enjoy: Jimi Hendrix, Gary Clark Jr.
Tell me more: Just Let Go is far more than a concert film. Because while the title features Lenny Kravitz and his excellent band performing during a 2014 European tour, the DVD title (also available on Blu-ray and digital) offers a revealing look at the process that the rocker and his troupe prepare for a tour, and how playing concerts is an entirely different experience than recording in a studio. Director Paul Dugdale is able to deliver both the concert performances and interview segments with a unified vision. The performances sizzle; "Dirty White Boots" (with Kravitz tearing up on lead guitar), "American Woman," the funky "Dancin' Til Dawn," acoustic "Sister" and blistering version of "Are You Gonna Go My Way." Information: eagle-rock.com.

Get 'Just Let Go Lenny Kravitz Live [Blu-ray]' here



Artist: Elliott Smith
Title: Heaven Adores You (Eagle Vision)
You might like if you enjoy: Neil Young, Elliott Smith, Nick Drake
Tell me more: The first full-length documentary to ever explore the life and music of acclaimed singer-songwriter Elliott Smith (1969-2003), Heaven Adores You is as heartfelt and introspective as the song craft of its gone-too-soon subject. Utilizing a blend of gritty visual images of the locations he called home (primarily Portland, New York City and Los Angeles), performance video and audio of Smith, and interviews with those who knew him best, Heaven Adores You is a compelling portrait of Smith and his long artistic shadow. Even music fans not familiar with Smith will be impressed by his life story and excerpts from his original songs, including "Miss Misery," "Son Of Sam," "Happiness" and "Waltz #2." Information: heavenadoresyou.com and eagle-rock.com.

Purchase 'Heaven Adores You' here

Robert Kinsler

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