Prog DVD’s

Anyone getting a hold of some good Prog DVD's?

Just got me first one yesterday, "Van Der Graaf Generator - GODBLUFF LIVE". Watched it over dinner and a good cold Pete's Wicked Ale.

The first part of the DVD is a  concert from the "Godbluff" tour in France, and excellent performance but man, the Director of Photography should've been slapped into next week, it was maddening in that all yo saw were closeups of Hammill and David Jackson, with a few good shots of Guy Evans (would've liked to have seen more of his killer drumming). Hugh Banton was at best getting a mere few seconds of screen time, What gives? But visual deficiencies aside, the musical performance of the entire Godbluff album is excellent (especially "Scorched Earth" and "Sleepwalkers").

The second part fares better, it was VDGG from a Belgian TV broadcast circa 1971. Here, they roared through "Theme One" with gleeful abandon (Guy Evans is one seriously underrated drummer I must say!) and then did in its entirety their piece de' resistance, "A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers", a very powerful and at times very spooky performance. The TV producer tried to add to the atmosphere by including rather cheesy closeups of burning candles and sparklers. On the plus side, the whold band got generous screen time, including Hugh (seen effortlessly creating all kinds of sonic mayhem with Hammond and Farfisa organs and various home-brewed electronic gizmos of his own making). IN both segments, Hammill is alternately a picture of intense concentration and on some long instrumental sections (especially on the Godbluff segment) he prowls the stage like a panther, it's actually pretty hilarious to watch)

If you can look past the visual shortcomings, the musical performances alone make it worth owning. I was amazed hwo well they pulled off "Plague--" with no overdubs and such live!

OK, now your turn, your picks and comments here----------

 

 

Edited by The Owl

The Owl wrote: Anyone getting a hold of some good Prog DVD's? Just got me first one yesterday, "Van Der Graaf Generator - GODBLUFF LIVE". Watched it over dinner and a good cold Pete's Wicked Ale. The first part of the DVD is a  concert from the "Godbluff" tour in France, and excellent performance but man, the Director of Photography should've been slapped into next week, it was maddening in that all yo saw were closeups of Hammill and David Jackson, with a few good shots of Guy Evans (would've liked to have seen more of his killer drumming). Hugh Banton was at best getting a mere few seconds of screen time, What gives? But visual deficiencies aside, the musical performance of the entire Godbluff album is excellent (especially "Scorched Earth" and "Sleepwalkers"). The second part fares better, it was VDGG from a Belgian TV broadcast circa 1971. Here, they roared through "Theme One" with gleeful abandon (Guy Evans is one seriously underrated drummer I must say!) and then did in its entirety their piece de' resistance, "A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers", a very powerful and at times very spooky performance. The TV producer tried to add to the atmosphere by including rather cheesy closeups of burning candles and sparklers. On the plus side, the whold band got generous screen time, including Hugh (seen effortlessly creating all kinds of sonic mayhem with Hammond and Farfisa organs and various home-brewed electronic gizmos of his own making). IN both segments, Hammill is alternately a picture of intense concentration and on some long instrumental sections (especially on the Godbluff segment) he prowls the stage like a panther, it's actually pretty hilarious to watch) If you can look past the visual shortcomings, the musical performances alone make it worth owning. I was amazed hwo well they pulled off "Plague--" with no overdubs and such live! OK, now your turn, your picks and comments here----------

Sounds like a DVD I've GOT TO have! But I only have VDGG's H To He... I think I'll buy Godbluff (the album) first then...

Ones that are piquing my curiosity:

 

The Muffins

Magma

Any thoughts on these ones?

I got my first DVD a few months ago, but being addicted to music already bought 76 DVD's (A cllient payed me an unexpected bill), my favorites are:

In the Flesh Live - Roger Waters: 5 Stars, closer to Pink Floyd than Pink Floyd.

Pulse - Pink Floyd: Gilmours side of the story, unbeliecable show.

Voice, Device, Drum - Kansas: Great selection, the band still can play but Walsh should avoid singing and remain behind the keys.

Journey to the Centre of the Earth - Rick Wakeman: A classic, sound and video suck, but an historic document.

Live at the Royal Albert Hall - ELP: Good sound and video, musoc os outstanding.

Living With the Past - Jethro Tull: Amazing

Yes at QPR - YES:  Yes with Moraz, don't care for the sound, it's outstanding.

Rush in Rio - Rush: A must have.

In Concert - David Gilmour: Semi acoustic, extremely beautiful perspective.

Mike Oldfield - Millenium Bell: Great street show in Berlin.

Iván

 

 

Edited by ivan_2068

Both focus DVD's.

I've been looking at a DVD to buy for some time, and I have it narrowed down to Yes Symphonic Live or the Theusz Hamtaahk DVD. They both look like they have been well recieved by everyone yere, but since I can't stand spending money, It may be a little while before I get around to buying one.

The ELP DVD of Pictures at an Exhibition is an essential if you can forgive the cheesy special effects which intrude during the performance... still even with it.. a view into why many oldtimers I've talked to (yes older than I ahhahaha) say that ELP live was amoung the best shows period they saw in the 70's.

anyway my personal fav... sort of vanilla but what a DVD..

Yes - Symphonic Live (GoD, Ritual, CttE - done with those hotties in the orchestra).  Essential prog DVD.

I've got KC's Eyes wide open. The show is pretty simple but the band is great. They are technically impressing. Plus, it shows how much Robert Fripp seems to have a good time when he's playing 

I'm not a big fan of Pink Floyd but I also highly recommend Live in Pompei if you like their pre-DSTOM period. Great show with a great panorama.

micky wrote: The ELP DVD of Pictures at an Exhibition is an essential if you can forgive the cheesy special effects which intrude during the performance... still even with it.. a view into why many oldtimers I've talked to (yes older than I ahhahaha) say that ELP live was amoung the best shows period they saw in the 70's.

Excelent music but the DVD has a terrible flaw.

I hate those videos in which they play with the collors so much that the band members look as a caricature.

For God's sake, I want to see the bend, not an animation, plus I find very distasteful when Keith rubs that stick (Threefates said it is called a ribbon) and makes it sound with his arse.

Iván

Edited by ivan_2068

I forgot Jethro tull DVD's:

- Living with the past ****

- Live at Hyppodrome, England *****

and some proto prog ones:

- Deep Purple - Live in Royall Albert hall 1972 Masterpiece ********

Deep purple - Heavy metal pioneers ****

Deep purple - Machine head ****

Led Zeppelin - How the west was won *****

and some jazz/rock

Billy Cobham - Live in Paris 2000 ***

Billy Cobham - Live at Cannes****

Billy Cobham - Glassmenagerie ****

Al Dimeola - Live at Montreux jazz festival

Miles Davis - Story