LIVE AT THE APOLLO

I must say I was not really sure if I wanted to see this DVD. After all, it was recorded in 2002, long after their prime and I - like most RM fans - would rather see them in a 70´s performance, or maybe even at the 80´s. I bought this DVD because I could not find anything else from the band live and it was cheap. Thank God I did, because I was completely surprised when I first watched it! I could never believe they could deliver this fantastic show after such long hiatus. Both musically and visually it is one of my top ten DVD of all time.

Four original members are featured (leader and main songwriter Bryan Ferry, guitarrist extraordinaire Phil Manzanera, influential sax player Andy Mckay and drummer Paul Thompson), backed by some excellent hired guns, including pianist and musical director Colin Good and the famed english blues guitarrist Chris Spedding. They all seemed totally relaxed, having a great time and givin their best for a stunning performance. Anyone who attended the concert might have been thrilled by the sheer power of their combined talents.

Bryan Ferry and co are in top form after all these years. Of the other musicians I should point out that two ladies stand out: Julia Thorton and Lucy Wilkins. They are both talented, versatile players and visually quite striking. Wilkins specially had the hard task of filling the void left by prog legends Eno and Eddie Jobson, and she does with honors. She even uses an ancient synthesizer that must have been played by Eno himself in the early 70´s. Her violin solos on Out Of The Blue and Tara are breathtaking!

The band plays songs from their entire discography and the only drawback is the fact that somehow If There´s Something (one of their best ever songs) was not included on the DVD. Such a pity! But the rest is pure joy: Re-make/Re-model, Ladytron, Song For Europe, Do The Strand, Love Is The Drug, etc. all classics and done with respect for the original recordings. Even weaker 80´s studio songs get a better and more powerful treatment here. Not a single bad moment in the entire perfomance.

The extra is very fine also: includes some interviews with band members, rehearsal footages and comments about the show. They all show high spirits and wit. The light and humurous ambience is infectuous.

All in all a perfect DVD for Roxy Music fans. Even some 30 years after what some call their peak, they´re still rocking with style (both musically and visually). A must have for any music lover.