A number of high-profile classic rock-minded 4K UltraHD, Blu-ray and DVD releases are being released this fall and are worth adding to your music library. Any of these wonderful titles would make a great holiday season gift too.
You might like if you enjoy: America, Andrew Gold, Stephen Bishop
Tell me more: Released on Oct. 4, America & Friends — Live At The Ventura Theater is a new Blu-ray title that captures classic rock favorite America performing the band's hit singles "A Horse With No Name," "Ventura Highway," Sister Golden Hair," "I Need You" and more. Additionally, guests Andrew Gold and Stephen Bishop perform their most beloved hits at the event and join America's Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley on stage as well. Highlights include Gold's rousing "Lonely Boy," Bishop's "It Might Be You," and America's "Sister Golden Hair." Filmed at the Ventura Theater in Ventura, California, bonus features on the Blu-ray include bonus footage, credits, a fascinating interview with Gold, Bishop, Bunnell and Beckley as well as a photo gallery. Information: mvdvisual.com.
Title: Black Sabbath: The End (Mercury Studios)
You might like if you enjoy: Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi
Tell me more: Heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath closed out a 50-year legacy with a concert in the band's hometown of Birmingham, England on Feb. 4, 2017. That already-legendary show is celebrated on the aptly-dubbed "The End" (available for the first time ever via the 4K UltraHD format). Fans of Black Sabbath's hard-hitting rock will thrill at seeing singer Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and touring members Tommy Clufetos (drums) and Adam Wakeman (keyboards, guitar) run through their signature blend of heavy metal in front of a sold-out crowd. All the essentials are included on the set, including "War Pigs," "Behind the Wall of Sleep," "Iron Man" and emotional encore-ending "Paranoid." Director Dick Carruthers did a terrific job of capturing the band's musical style and relationship with fans courtesy of a creative mix of camera shots showcasing the band's performance and crowd reactions that immerses the viewer into this career-capping moment. Information: Information: mercurystudios.co.
Artist: Eric Clapton
Title: Slowhand At 70 — Live At The Royal Albert Hall (Mercury Studios)
You might like if you enjoy: Eric Clapton, The Yardbirds, Derek & The Dominos
Tell me more: Slowhand At 70 — Live At The Royal Albert Hall is a landmark concert film previously issued on DVD and Blu-ray in November 2015, but is now newly available for the first time via the immersive 4K UltraHD format. Eric Clapton's 2015 performances during a seven-night run at Royal Albert Hall found the singer-guitarist celebrating his 70th birthday at his favorite venue; highlights include Slowhand playing both bona fide classics and deep cuts. Among this writer's early favorite performances on the title are his artful cover of JJ Cale's "Somebody's Knockin' On My Door" that opens the set, a musical reading of Willie Dixon's Chicago blues-flavored "Hoochie Coochie Man," and his reggae take on his 1974 number one hit "I Shot The Sheriff." The concert film's power only grows from there as evidenced by potent acoustic-styled takes on the tender "Tears In Heaven" and "Layla," as well as rousing electric versions of "Let It Rain," "Crossroads," "Cocaine" and "High Time We Went." While the parade of blues rock classics highlight Clapton's enduring powers as a guitar virtuoso, the heartfelt "Wonderful Tonight" showcases his emotive lead vocals. Information: mercurystudios.co.
Title: Def Leppard One Night Only Live at The Leadmill Sheffield May 19, 2023 (Mercury Studios)
You might like if you enjoy: Def Leppard, Queen
Tell me more: Released on Oct. 11, Def Leppard One Night Only Live at The Leadmill Sheffield May 19, 2023 is a new title that is available on audio CD, DVD+CD, Limited Edition 2LP pressed on orange vinyl, as well as via digital audio and digital video. On the eve of the British rock outfit's largest UK/European run ever — including a sold-out date at Wembley Stadium — Def Leppard streamed a one-off live concert performance from the historic Sheffield venue The Leadmill. This unique 13-track set was one of the most intimate shows the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers had played in more than 35 years, and included bona fide hits as well as material from the band's latest album Drastic Symphonies (recorded at Abbey Road Studios). There is a genuine excitement and energy displayed between the band members and audience across the 13-track concert. The set is front loaded with deep album cuts and rarities while the home stretch features several of the quintet's most beloved material. Highlights abound during the live set (the DVD+CD format is reviewed here) including the Queen-flavored opener "Action," infectious rocker "Let It Go" (the latter with its bewitching verses that segue into explosive choruses), the introspective rocker "Mirror, Mirror (Look Into My Eyes)" showcasing Joe Elliott's lead vocals and the dazzling tandem lead guitar work of Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell, powerful "Bringin' On The Heartbreak and a particularly powerful marathon take on "Hysteria." Def Leppard closes with the crowd-pleasing "Pour Some Sugar On Me" and party-mining rocker "Wasted." Information: defleppard.com.
Title: Santana: Live At US Festival (MVD Visual)
You might like if you enjoy: Carlos Santana, Los Lobos, classic rock
Tell me more: Live At US Festival is a newly-released Blu-ray title that captures guitar master Carlos Santana and his top-tier band at their legendary appearance at the US Festival staged in Southern California on Sept. 4, 1982. Directed by rockumentarian Glenn Aveni, Santana: Live At Us Festival chronicles one of Santana's most memorable and high-profile performances. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer's band is outstanding; singer-rhythm guitarist Alex Ligertwood, keyboardist Richard Baker, bassist David Margen, drummer Graham Lear, percussionists Raul Rekow, Orestas Vilat and Armando Peraza bring a power and enthusiastic touch to all of the material performed here. The performance features Santana performing powerful versions of classics including "Black Magic Woman," Oye Como Va" and an especially dynamic take on "Nowhere To Run." Other highlights include a cover of the Zombies' "She's Not There" bolstered by Santana's signature lead guitar playing that segues into John McLaughlin's "Marbles," as well as the catchy rocker "Open Invitation." Bonus features on the Blu-ray include interview segments with Santana. Information: mvdvisual.com.
Title: Live In Munich 1977 (Mercury Studios)
You might like if you enjoy: Deep Purple, Rainbow, Dio, Greta Van Fleet
Tell me more: On Oct. 20, 1977, the only full-length concert featuring the classic Rainbow lineup of guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, singer Ronnie James Dio and drummer Cozy Powell ever professionally filmed was captured at Munich Olympiahalle in Germany during the band's 1977 European tour. Now the historic concert event is available as a wonderful must-own special edition 2CD+DVD set courtesy of Mercury Studios. Indeed, this is a concert that almost never was; Blackmore arrived in Munich close to showtime after reportedly being smuggled out of Austria after getting into trouble with police at a gig there two nights earlier. That event seemed to rouse Blackmore and company to deliver an especially riveting performance on this night. Over the course of just under two hours, Rainbow delivers a captivating set of favorites including the speedy opener "Kill The King" showcasing Dio's soaring lead vocals, the heavy "Mistreated" blending British hard rock, Renaissance and progressive rock styles, the ambitious "Catch The Rainbow" stretching from a beautiful opening to a fiery rocker, and the straight-forward aptly-titled "Long Live Rock 'N' Roll." The concert wraps with stellar versions of "Man On The Silver Mountain," "Still I'm Sad" and "Do You Close Your Eyes," the latter featuring Blackmore alone on stage destroying his electric guitar as part of a truly explosive finale. In addition to the full-length concert, the 146-minute DVD includes original promo videos for "Long Live Rock 'N' Roll," "Gates Of Babylon" and "L.A. Connection," as well as a photo gallery, slideshow with audio commentary, interviews, and the "Rainbow Over Texas '76" feature (the latter which includes addition interviews and performance footage). The physical package also comes with a wonderful fully-illustrated 12-page booklet. Information: mercurystudios.co.
Robert Kinsler
