Television & Film

It’s December 05, 1981, and the Rolling Stones are playing at the Superdome in New Orleans. But I am sitting at home, in my teenaged bedroom, pouting. The ticket I once held in my hand now belonged to someone else and I was missing one of the greatest bands on the planet. Fast forward thirty-three […]

“The Doors message is uncompromisingly loud,” says the announcer at the beginning of the British documentary, The Doors Are Open. “Do not adjust your set.” On November 11, Eagle Rock Entertainment finally released Feast Of Friends. This long ago film created by The Doors themselves back in 1968, has never been officially released until now. […]

There was no celebration recognizing the fiftieth anniversary of Bob Dylan’s recording career in 2013, perhaps because The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration, released in a deluxe edition of DVD/Blu-ray & CD, simply couldn’t be surpassed. The stunning visuals and audio clarity of the recording match an redoubtable array of artists spanning ages and genres, all […]

With its emotional honesty and clarity of introspection, there’s such a deep-rooted melancholy in Gregg Allman’s greatest song, “Old Before My Time” (from 2003’s ABB album Hittin’ the Note), that it’s inclusion in the setlist for All My Friends might well have unduly dampened the celebratory atmosphere that permeates the concert. But every other well-known […]

As handsomely packaged as last year’s Brothers & Sisters, ‘Deluxe Edition,’ 40 is so impeccably recorded in audio and video (the latter of which makes an often cheesy light show look impressive), it is comparable to 2003’s Live at the Beacon Theatre DVD (though lacking its assortment of bonus features). Classy as the designated event […]

There have been numerous tributes to the late Jerry Garcia since his death in 1995, but none such as an accurate reflection of the man’s own uniquely Zen approach to life and art. If the tongue-in-cheek opening interval is slightly disconcerting-showing actor Luke Wilson asking directions to the site of the filming at Bob Weir’s […]

Near the beginning of the documentary film Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me rock critic Lester Bangs equates Memphis rock band Big Star with The Beatles. At the time of his comment, a 1970s interview, few people had heard of Big Star. Turns out Bangs was on to something. Big Star’s three albums, released between […]

As The Rolling Stones evolved from blues purists and made a concerted attempt to commercialize themselves for the pop market, their manager Andrew Loog Oldham posited them as bad boy alternatives to the cuddly mop-tops that were The Beatles. It only makes sense then, that instead of the semi-fictionalized presentation of the latter with their […]

During their original alliance, Graham Parker and The Rumour never released a live album that accurately represented how powerful they sounded in concert (the execrable The  Parkerilla is only worth mentioning as an aside. These double-disc packages, however, stand as essential documents of the early stages of the partnership between this supremely smart songwriter and a crack band.

The Doors video of their 1968 Hollywood Bowl performance has been available before in various formats before, but never in so comprehensive and sophisticated a package as this. The entire concert is included here as well as bonus features that place this appearance in its proper context in terms of the culture of its times and at a crucial juncture of this iconic band’s career.

Considering they are both first cousins, Brian Wilson and Mike Love hold a rockier relationship than the NRA and Piers Morgan.   Forget the past lawsuits and nasty comments between the two, Love was already booking his own Beach Boys with his touring band (minus Wilson, Al Jardine and David Marks) in the middle of this past summer’s 50th reunion tour, which saw the Beach Boys reunite with the five surviving members with connections to their 60’s prime. 

Star Lake 98 DVD demonstrates the quartet's unconventional approach and surprising cover selections to reach maximum impact, while The Palace of Auburn Hills recording offers a reminder of the spectacular prowess and patient swagger of Fall '97.

Shut and Play the Hits serves as The Band’s Last Waltz for a certain postmodern generation, one that understands and can appreciate the assimilation of multiple influences. It is also as much a testament to the creative genius of LCD, as it is to the process of ending a creative enterprise on a high note – MSG sold out models included.

Because “Mr. Mojo Risin'” is an anagram for vocalist Jim Morrison’s name, it’s mislabeling of a sort to attach it as the title for this DVD.  Virtually all the content focuses on the music of The Doors rather than the myth of, most of which surrounds the lead singer.

Overall the package is perfect for fans of late '70s rock from a band that exemplifies that era.

The Rolling Stones' 1978 release Some Girls is widely regarded as a watershed moment in the iconic British band’s career. It followed Black and Blue and It’s Only Rock and Roll that sounded like mere holding patterns even if they had not come out subsequent to the alternately raucous and haunting Goats Head Soup recalling  "Silver Train,” "Star Star" along with "Coming Down Again.” Some Girls Live in Texas reaffirms the strength of The Stones as a performing unit

Texas icons ZZ Top released a Live From Texas record in 2008, but as is the case with most artists releasing live albums later in their careers, the set is rife with warhorses that occasional has them on autopilot. Back in 1980 though, the band still had a hell of a lot to prove with “Legs” and “Sharp Dressed Man” still gleams in the eyes of the bearded Billy Gibbons and crew.

Lookin' Fine On Television opens with an endearing interview excerpt from so early in the Dolls’ storied career that they seem like a fresh-faced band of brothers doing their best imitation of Rock Stars.

Although disc two begins with a series of short, punk-leaning romps like “Speed Parade,” Slash shines on the later half with a winding “Beggars & Hangers On,” a delicious “Godfather Solo” and “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” The guitar solo in the middle of the album though is something to behold, exemplifying why Slash has remained a force with or without W. Axl.

David Byrne, never one to abide by guidelines, is one such artist and his recent film release, Ride, Rise, Roar delivers a healthy balance; satisfying the desire to see the live performances, but also offering a close inspection of the proceedings that make his live shows so arresting.