Hard Rain Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a few notches away from Dylan's most polished work, and I love it. The album might just as well been titled "For Anyone Who Didn't Hear Me The First Time." Dylan and his band tear through the formerly low - key "Shelter From The Storm," turning this rocky and raw version into something more meaningful, if that's possible. "One Too Many Mornings" is another great example of Dylan's ability to rework his songs to fit his mood, and this treatment works wonderfully well amidst the commotion of this album.
"Memphis Blues Again" and "You're A Big Girl Now" also sound great, though I wish Bob would leave "Maggie's Farm" off the song list every once in a while. It's a classic, but one, maybe the only one, that Dylan did to death over the years in concert.
The explosion here is "Idiot Wind." The studio track dripped blood. This live rant just splatters it all over the place. The beauty of the song is that Dylan's voice and phrasing are just so perfectly annoying that they take this hymn of hate way over the top, right where it should be. When Bob gnarls "I kiss goodbye the howling beast on the borderline which separated you from me," it makes "It Ain't Me, Babe" sound like "You Light Up My Life."
"Hard Rain" is Dylan at his near - best, at least as far as live recordings go. It's a must - have.

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Heart - Alive in Seattle (2003) Review

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(More customer reviews)The 2003 DVD release HEART: ALIVE IN SEATTLE is one of the best video recordings of a live performance of a rock band, and it is especially impressive when considering that it documents a recent performance from a band that has been playing kick-*ss rock for nearly 30 years (their debut album, DREAMBOAT ANNIE, was released in 1976).
The performance was recorded at the Paramount Theater in Seattle (Heart's hometown) on Aug. 8, 2002, the last gig on the band's 2002 "Summer of Love" tour. The response to the tour was tremendous, with longtime fans and newbies alike enthusiastically welcoming fronters Ann and Nancy Wilson and their new back-up band--an ensemble that includes former Ozzy Osbourne and Alice In Chains bassist Mike Inez and Lovemongers drummer Ben Smith. The tour was so successful, in fact, that they turned right around and toured again in 2003 (the "Alive in America" tour) playing basically the same song set. So fans who missed either or both of those tours can still experience that concert atmosphere vicariously with the HEART: ALIVE IN SEATTLE disc--but with much better "seating"!
The Wilson sisters made an excellent choice for the set list, which includes the band's very popular pre-`80s hard-rock standards like "Crazy on You," "Straight On," "Magic Man," and "Barracuda," as well as some great post-70s tunes such as "Alone" and "These Dreams." In addition, the band does a fantastic job on covers of Led Zeppelin's "Battle of Evermore" and "Black Dog," the Elton John ballad "Mona Lisas and Madhatters," and an old garage-band ditty called "The Witch."
Dark-haired Vocalist Ann Wilson, as beautiful as ever, proves that she still has what it takes to belt out the band's old hard-rock standards, and she still sounds as angelic as ever on the softer melancholy favorites like "Dog and Butterfly" and "Dreamboat Annie." When Heart plays their classic stuff, Ms. Wilson sounds exactly like she did when the songs were first recorded--which is a lot more than you can say for most rock vocalists from the '60s and '70s, who can no longer hit those high notes. But she and sister Nancy (who mainly plays guitar and other strings) also easily keep up with the newer, younger artists when they perform some of their latest compositions like "Heaven," "Sister Wild Rose," and the really cool hard-hitter "Break The Rock." Both women are certainly in top form and prove they can go the distance in the studio and on stage. And with HEART: ALIVE IN SEATTLE, they leave no doubt that they are still two of the most talented and creative women in rock.
The picture quality on this DVD is crisp and clear, with great color saturation and nice contrast, and the cinematographer does a top-notch job of capturing the energy of the artists and the spirit of their performances. The Dolby sound quality is also excellent, and a sound system that takes advantage of the DTS Surround Sound can really make viewers feel like they are at the live performance.
No longtime fan of HEART will be disappointed with HEART: ALIVE IN SEATTLE. And the DVD will certainly give newbies a taste of just how powerful and emotive this band and the talented duo that drives it can be.

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Music's most famous sisters, Ann and Nancy Wilson, have been successfully writing and performing chart-toppers since their 1975 debut album. From acoustic to folk to hard-driving rock 'n' roll, the ladies instill emotional energy into every song. This special hometown concert showcases a rich musical legacy that's distinctively Heart! Songs: Barracuda, Sister Wild Rose, Mistral Wind, Wild Child, Dog and Butterfly, Magic Man, Crazy on You, Dreamboat Annie, Love Alive, These Dreams, Alone, Two Faces of Eve, Break the Rock, Heaven, Straight On, Black Dog, The Witch, Mona Lisa and Mad Hatters, Battle of Evermore.

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Crimson, White & Indigo: July 7 1989 JFK Stadium, Philadelphia (3CD/1DVD) Review

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(More customer reviews)Crimson, White, and Indigo is an absolute must for Deadheads everywhere, with the DVD portion being the real selling point. Right off the top, you'll be impressed with the video quality considering the 1989 source. Obviously it's not hi-def, but looks great nonetheless. More importantly, the sound is tremendous. They've mastered the 5:1 in such a manner that it will shake your foundation (of your inner being and/or your house) if you've got the system that will allow such a thing. It takes a few songs for the bass guitar to kick into maximum bomb-dropping status, but the experienced Head knows it takes a tune or two to rope in the Dead's PA sound. Most substantive is the smile on Jerry Garcia's face from the onset and throughout the concert. He's beaming, and his non-verbal interaction with Brent Mydland is nothing short of priceless.
This DVD document is a referendum on the fact that 1989 was a very strong year for the Dead musically. Although the performance isn't perfect, therein lies the beauty. It sparkles with wayward abandon. They are all in good voice, very good in fact, and the harmonies are equal parts interesting and scintillating. Phil Lesh's lead vocal on Box of Rain is one of his better treatments of this masterpiece. Brent's soul-bearing rendition of Blow Away is memorable to say the least. From the opening lyric of Hell in Bucket, Bob Weir is in true Bobby form in a good way, energetic and on key. Jerry's voice has rarely sounded better...soft, strong, sweet, and true. His guitar work is unequivocally inspired--simultaneously experimental, authoritative, and precise.
Whether you're a true Deadhead or a newbie, this DVD replicates THE experience as well as anything out there. You can almost smell the scents of patchouli, sweat, and various types of funny cigarettes. If you loved Truckin' Up To Buffalo (this happens to be the next gig on that summer tour), you'll love this. If you didn't, forget it.
Crimson, White, and Indigo isn't for everyone, but it's EVERYTHING to those who appreciate this particular vintage of Grateful Dead elixir. Enjoy!


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The Grateful Dead were enjoying a late-career renaissance in 1989 when the band steamed into Philadelphia on one of the hottest days of the summer to play the last concert ever at John F. Kennedy Stadium. The July 7 show in the City of Brotherly Love highlights the band's exuberant resurgence, a peak that rivals any that came before it.Rhino salutes life, liberty, and the pursuit of 'hippieness' with a collection that includes every note from this epic show on three CD's and one DVD. The DVD captures the entire concert, shot from an amazing multi-camera perspective by the same crew that shot the legendary 'Truckin' Up To Buffalo' DVD.

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Queen: Live in Budapest Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a very Good QUEEN film, with no interference from the DORO editing team. The track list may be similar to other concerts on the same tour, but the additions are sufficient to be different and enjoyable.
The documentary inserts are done in a rare style... they do not interfere with the flow of the concert, and as each member of the band is given time in the concert spotlight, we see some documentary footage of the band member in Budapest. And the traditional song that Freddie performs is well received by the crowd. The footage of Freddie travelling up river, past the regal mansions is both funny, and insightful; plus the preparation that Freddy does for the concert is shown in part, and is what seems to be a rare insight into the way Freddy works.
We even get to see a little bit of the seemingly very shy John Deacon ... something only the director of this film has thought to do ( as far as I am aware).
This is not only a Good concert film, but a masterful documentary, handled with the panache that few directors in this genre can do. A pleasure to watch and to listen to. I only hope that Hollywood records will issue this in DVD format under the guidance of Brian May and Roger Taylor.

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QUEEN ROCK BAND LIVE CONCERT IN BUDAPEST. VHS MOVIE

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Live In New York City (2CD) Review

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(More customer reviews)When Bruce Springsteen reformed the E Street Band to mount a world tour that would stretch out over the course of 1999 & 2000, amid the ecstasy of it all, there were some questions surrounding the tour. It had been twelve years since the band played a full tour together and with most of the band pushing fifty would they still have the spark and fire that made them the most cohesive and electrifying live act in music. Well any questions that were out there were quickly erased the moment they hit the stage. Like a fine wine, the band has gotten better with time. They may not be able to put on the four hour marathons they once did, but they were much tighter than they had ever been, making the music crisper and more passionate. This live set is taken from the last two shows on the final stop of the tour, Madison Square Garden, New York City and are the basis for his first televised concert performance on HBO. As Mr. Springsteen often does, he reworks songs in concert, giving them a different edge. "Youngstown" is transformed from the quiet acoustic number on The Ghost Of Tom Joad into a searing, blazing rocker marked by a buzzsaw guitar solo by Nils Lofgren which segues perfectly into another burner, "Murder Incorporated". "Born In The USA" is done in its original early Nebraska version with some impressive slide acoustic guitar by Mr. Springsteen. The song takes on a starker quality and strips away any confusion about what the song is about. "If I Should Fall Behind" finds Little Steven, Patti Scialfa, Mr. Lofgren and the Big Man, Clarence Clemons sharing the mic with Mr. Springsteen in one of the most poignant moments from the shows. "Tenth Avenue Freezeout" becomes a r&b soaked, sermon about the rededication and respiritualization of the band where Mr. Springsteen involves the crowd in a singalong and introduces the band members. "The River" is still the somber tale of despair but Mr. Clemons sax solo cuts through it like a beacon of light. The rest of the album is superb including rousing versions of "My Love Will Not Let You Down", "Out In The Street", "Ramrod", "Two Hearts" which has great harmonization between Mr. Springsteen & Little Steven, a stirring "Lost In the Flood" and a powerful "Atlantic City". The album also contains two songs specifically written for the tour. "The Land Of Hope & Dreams" closed out most shows on the tour and in it Mr. Springsteen sings of a train that is open to everyone, saints and sinners alike, that will carry you to the promised land if you are willing to board it. The song has a driving beat and is uplifting. "American Skin (41 Shots)" is the controversial song about the police shooting of Amadou Diallo. In it, Mr. Springsteen assumes the voice of an African-American mother who cautions her son that even doing nothing can get you killed. The song is classic Springsteen and with it he shows that he still has his finger on the pulse of current events and his music not only entertains, but also informs and makes you think. It's hard to believe that it's been fifteen years since the release of his first live album, the sprawling Live 1975-1985, but Live in New York City shows that Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band are still the best live act in music and probably the greatest of all time.

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