Blu-ray Essentials: 'Weird: The Al Yankovic Story', Bill Idol's 'State Line

Those looking to get the perfect gift for a favorite music lover in their life should consider picking up one or both of the terrific titles featured in this column.

Movie Title: Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (Shout! Factory)

You might like if you enjoy: "Weird Al" Yankovic, 1980s music, "This Is Spinal Tap" rockumentary, actor Daniel Radcliffe

Tell me more: "Weird Al" Yankovic's unique career path forged by a groundbreaking artist who writes, records and performs songs that are extremely funny while also poking fun at the world around him has made him a favorite since the late 1970s. Now the 2022 parody biopic Weird: The Al Yankovic Story has been released (the film is available on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD formats) to own. Directed by Eric Appel, the film stars Daniel Radcliffe as "Weird Al" along with Evan Rachel Wood and Rainn Wilson. Not only is Weird: The Al Yankovic Story a compelling and seriously funny flick, but the newly issued title (released by Shout! Factory on Dec. 12, 2023) features a slew of terrific bonus features of interest to fans of the film and the multi-Grammy Award winning Yankovic. The "4K Ultra HD" version reviewed by this writer includes a new 4K master with HDR and Dolby Vision, a new audio commentary with Yankovic and Appel, a new presentation of deleted/extended/alternate scenes hosted by Yankovic and Appel, and a featurette on the making of the film. Additionally, there are movie trailers and promos, press interviews with the cast and crew, the lyric video for "Now You Know" and a fun "Late Night with Seth Meyers" interview with Yankovic and Radcliffe. Information: shoutfactory.com.

Artist: Billy Idol 
Title: State Line: Live At The Hoover Dam (MVD Visual)

You might like if you enjoy: Billy Idol, New Wave rock

Tell me more: Following its successful limited theatrical run, Billy Idol's historic and rousing performance at the Hoover Dam in April 2023 is now available on both DVD and Blu-ray (the latter reviewed here) courtesy of MVD Visual. The aptly-titled State Line: Live At The Hoover Dam chronicles the first-ever concert ever performed at the dramatic setting located on the Nevada/Arizona state line; Idol along with his terrific band and several notable guests are definitely up for the occasion and the film and bonus features capture every moment of the event. The audio and video quality on the Blu-ray are truly outstanding and the viewer is treated to a front row seat at every turn. Directed by George Scott and Vincent Adam Paul, the highlight of the title is the 16-track full length concert where Idol performs a mix of his enduring rock hits and compelling new songs. 

Billy Idol performing at the Hoover Dam.
Photo credit: Jane Stuart

Kicking things off with a hard rocking "Cradle of Love," Idol and the troupe of other musicians and backup singers are obviously having as much fun as the intimate crowd of 250 fans treated to attend the show in person. Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones and No Doubt bassist Tony Kanal join in the fun on "Dancing With Myself." There is not a single wasted moment during the performance; early standouts include the dynamic "Flesh for Fantasy" (featuring spectacular guitar work from Idol's longtime guitarist Steve Stevens), the reflective mid-tempo rocker "Bitter Taste," and semi-acoustic "Eyes Without a Face" where Idol showcases his strong vocals. Late performance highlights include a strong performance of "John Wayne" with Idol sharing lead vocals with singer Alison Mosshart (The Kills, The Dead Weather), the confessional melodic rocker "Running From The Ghost," spirted extended version of "Blue Highway," and rousing closer "White Wedding." Bonus features include an exclusive Q&A with Steve Stevens and an acoustic performance of "To Be A Lover," "Eyes Without a Face" and Rebel Yell." There is also a colorful six-panel concert booklet. Information: billyidol.net.

Robert Kinsler

New Music: Van Duren documentary, Kris Kristofferson concert recording, Monica Taylor studio album

A must see music documentary on singer-songwriter great Van Duren as well as a historic recording featuring Kris Kristofferson and new studio album from Oklahoma-based songstress Monica Taylor are available now.

DVD Title: Waiting: The Van Duren Story (MVD Visual)
You might like if you enjoy: Paul McCartney, Big Star, Todd Rundgren, music documentaries 

Tell me more: In a perfect world Van Duren would have released a dozen or more top-selling albums over the past 45 years and would have already earned a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But that justified path sadly eluded the Memphis singer-songwriter/guitarist-keyboardist early in his career despite playing in bands with Jody Stephens and Chris Bell (both of Big Star fame) and assistance from manager-producer Andrew Loog Oldham (who managed The Rolling Stones from 1963 to 1967). Now a newly-released documentary, Waiting: The Van Duren Story, details the compelling story of how two Australians (Greg Carey and Wade Jackson) discovered Van Duren 40 years after hearing some of his first recordings completed in the late 1970s (for the now-legendary Are You Serious? album) and decided to make a documentary film about an artist deservedly touted as "the next Paul McCartney." The wonderful documentary (which was the winner at the Indie Memphis Film Festival in 2018 and an official selection at a number of other film festivals that year) will appeal not only to those who love melodic rock and power pop, but anyone who recognizes that for someone as talented as Van Duren there is no other choice than to follow a dream. Information: waiting-vanduren.com. 

Artist: Kris Kristofferson
Title: Live at Gilley’s - Pasadena, TX: September 15, 1981 (New West Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Michael Ubaldini, Johnny Cash 

Tell me more: Recorded at Gilley's in Pasadena, Texas on Sept. 15, 1981, Kris Kristofferson's new release is truly a celebration of the 86-year-old Brownsville, Texas native's enduring and timeless songcraft. From the raucous opener "Me And Bobby McGee," poignant "Casey's Last Ride" and poetic mandolin-adorned "The Pilgrim" to the deeply affecting "For The Good Times" and tender "Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again)," the freewheeling concert event is a delightful trip back to a historic outing captured when Kristofferson was at the height of his powers. Other standouts on the 15-track Live at Gilley’s - Pasadena, TX: September 15, 1981 include the sparse "Here Comes That Rainbow Again" and "Nobody Loves Anybody Anymore," the country nugget "If It's All The Same To You" and bona fide classic "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down." Information: NewWestRecords.com.

Artist: Monica Taylor
Title: Trains, Rivers & Trails (Horton Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, The Cherokee Maids & Sycamore Swing 

Tell me more: Trains, Rivers & Trails is the third solo album from country music songstress Monica Taylor. A breezy and beautiful set of 11 songs, the title boasts a mix of mostly Taylor-penned originals and several smart covers that fit snugly into the stellar set. Standouts include the lively opener "The Sound of a Train," tenderhearted reading of the 1967 Glen Campbell hit "Gentle On My Mind," uptempo Cajun-tinged take on the Jim McBride & Keith Stegall co-write "Down in Louisiana" (bolstered by some fantastic fiddle work from Luke Bulla), the stylish "Minor Key" duet where Jared Tyler's vocals are also featured on the enthralling track (credited to Woody Guthrie / Billy Bragg & Wilco), gorgeous "Just Came in to Say Goodbye (a song co-written by Taylor and Patrick Williams), and uptempo bluegrass frolic "Train Take Me Away." The stirring "Salty Tears" was written about Taylor's own great great grandmother who — only 13 — was driven along with other family members of the Cherokee People to Indian territory in present day Oklahoma on the infamous Trail of Tears ("Her parents and sisters died along the cold trail. This is her story," Taylor notes in press notes for the album). Information: MonicaTaylorMusic.com.

Robert Kinsler