What Music DVDs are you playing?

[Andyyyy]

Within the past few years, more and more music DVDs have been hitting the stores. I find that even though I don't have a DVD-A player, the DVD sound format itself sounds better than Red Book (regular audio CD format). FOr that reason, I am happy when I can get more of what I like on DVD. There is a difference in the production of the DVDs as well. Production-wise.

I think King Crimson's deja VROOM is among the best. The opening track sneaks up on you, thinking that it's the introduction. The second track, Vroom Vroom, is recorded in such a way that you can select a musician to watch. The selection will also boost the volume of the chosen musician. Somehow, I almos always manage to get stuck watching Bill Bruford (even though the bass player in me says to watch Tony Levin!). The sound is nothing short of excellent! This is one with which I rattle the rafters here at the Kubicki home. This music was created to be played loud :-) . This concert was done in Japan, and I love the Japanese audience as they are quiet through the songs, applauding only after a tune is finished!

In the most improved dept, the DVD-A version of Yes' Fragile is finally done well. The original mix had tons of distortion. This version is a remix, and is very well done. Wakeman's keyboards on the second track sound as if they were recorded today for today's subwoofers.

Of course, I simply must mention both DVDs of Gentle Giant, Giant on the Box and GG at the GG. Because GG disbanded when punk rock entered the musical scene, there has been nothing new by the band in years. Both of these DVDs are old, but unreleased concert footage of some really incredible musicianship and pretty good quality, considering the age and sources. There are "extras" that are not very good quality, but the boy's playing was HOT! But what floats my boat is the little bit of newly recorded music by Kerry Minnear, the writer and keyboard player. Kerry has a unique talent for counterpoint, which gave GG much of their unique sound. There is, on both of these DVDs, a short opening piece and some sweet music which plays while the menus are displayed. For me, a hard core GG fan, the new music alone was worth the price! For more info on GG, you can visit http://www.blazemonger.com/GG/

And for some totally hot music, these are my favs:

Bela Fleck & the Flecktones- Live at the Quick
Steve Hackett- The Tokyo Tapes Live in Japan
Bill Bruford's Earthworks- Footloose
Al Dimeola, Jean-Luc Ponty & Stanley Clark- Live at Montreux (This preceeded the CD the Rite of Strings)

[roger]

I can't keep up with the cds, and now you want me to buy dvds??!!

I have a couple of U2 dvds, and Pat Metheny Speaking of Now, which is awesome (Antonio Sanchez is sick.), and I also got a Journey dvd which is a lot of fun!

I'll have to look for the Bela Fleck. is that with Howard Levy?

[Andyyyy]

He he, sorry, I understand your frustration! I too have not kept up with CDs...so many more to get...and when to listen?

No Howard Levy on this one. the guests are:
Sandip Burman- Tabla (I love Tabla!)
Andy Narell- Steel Pans
Paul McCandless- Oboe, English Horn
and a cast of others...

[roger]

ah, too bad about Levy. an awesome musician. keys and harp. (harmonica)

love Paul McCandless. his work with Oregon is amazing. great band. the late Collin Wolcott played some great tabla (among everything else) with them.

[Rick and Roll]

I got a DVD player over a year ago and still have only seen a handful. Just no time.....

What I have seen:

R30 (Rush) - just excellent...the old men are still vibrant. Good to hear the Vaopr Trails songs uncluttered by that piss poor production, and their cover songs are welcome also. Priceless interview of Geddy on a tarmac, looking annoyed (and rightly so) at the interviewer's dumb questions.

Queen (Live At The Bowl). Excellent! On their Hot Space tour, when they did "Backtalk", Freddie says "people said we were getting disco, and I say, it's just a fucking album" Great performances. Only drawback is not enough Roger Taylor (too much focus on Freddie).

Jethro Tull (Living With The Past) - Some get upset over the talking over some parts of songs, so what....great version of "Life's A Long Song" with Ian and a small ensemble, and the virtual window is kinda cool. Sound is excellent.

Mostly Autumn - The Story So Far. Easy on the eye..... Good DVD.

Dio - Sacred Heart the DVD - Good stuff, down to earth interview included.

King Crimson - Neal And Jack And Me - It's Crimson, enough said...as mentioned, I could watch Bruford all day too...

Echolyn - Stars And Gardens - buy this one! Has a PA concert, some great old footage, and an acoustic "Never the Same" that's unforgettable.

Saga - All Areas - Outstanding DVD. A recent show but includes some great selections.

Yes - Yesspeak. I may be watching this wrong, but it's still footage with music attached. That sucks!

Discipline - Only DVD that exists, very raw old (1995) footage. Only one Staircase cut, "Into the Dream", all 25 minutes in its splendor. The rest fisrt album and older. At a show I was at in MD. An interesting buy, and a must for die-hard fans.

What I've yet to see but own:

Neal Morse - Testimony live - 240 minutes...I have to make some time!

Steve Hackett - Once Above A Time

Iron Maiden - Part 1 History of, the early years - they do DVD's right, saving this one for a special day.

Karnataka - Live In The USA

Hey, I still need to waych most of my In Living Color DVD's!

[Yesspaz]

I have a crapload of torrent dvds.

[chewie]

Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, DVDA, really cool
YesYears - Have watched it an endless number of times, great doc.
A Genesis Bootleg DVD with shows from ´72 and ´73, super cool....

[Rick and Roll]

Originally Posted by chewie

Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, DVDA, really cool
YesYears - Have watched it an endless number of times, great doc.
A Genesis Bootleg DVD with shows from ´72 and ´73, super cool....

That Elton must be awesome. There are some who think he's not worthy of a listen, but that's some of the most incredible music ever made...

[PFD]

Can't be arsed right now to get into the DVD-A stuff. Like, I really need a new version for all my Floyd stuff!

I've never been a real audiophile, anyways. I thought LPs were fine.

Having said that....I will get into 5.1 someday.

Regarding video DVDs....I like the Yes one...Live in Tsongas. The Yes Speaks that Rick mentioned is just that...still footage only. Of course it is called Yes Speaks, and the main focus is on the interviews.

I have R30 which is pretty good. Marillion's Marbles Live is also quite good.