Customer Reviews:
The Madison Square Gardens Concerts were better........2008-02-28
Having seen a bootleg of the New York concerts I can say without doubt that our heroes were a lot more exciting once they had got into the swing of playing together again and its well overdue for official release. Hasn't the record company done Cream enough harm already? (See my review of 'Those Were The Days')
Good though it is to have this I would much rather have had a DVD of one entire concert rather than this selection of numbers from the four different concerts made by someone whose judgement I do not trust. What use is this to serious students of Cream and the potential academic industry which needs undoctored evidence.
I am reluctant to believe that the two performances of 'Sunshine of Your Love' provided here were the best as this would mean that the other two were equally bad or worse. If this was the case I need to see the proof. What should have been the climax of the concert was at least in these two concerts a sad let down. The reason is very obvious and lies in Ginger's drumming. This of course is very understandable given his physical condition now, and his strenuous efforts just a little earlier in the concert. He was probably just very tired and although he put sheer determined effort into it there was no real vitality for this last most famous number (which requires precise deliberate mistakes). What he gives us is a deadly slow military beat of the sort they use for funerals and court marshals which makes the whole thing heavy going until they reach the free-form coda where things suddenly come alive.
Now if the record company didn't want to give us all four versions of 'Sunshine' on the DVD why didn't they give us the other two on the CD set? Instead of that they just gave us one of the versions on the DVD. What is the matter with those record company people? Don't they want to make money? They don't seem to want to do the right thing even when its in their own interest (see my review of 'Those Were The Days').
Two important points need to be made. Firstly the concert sounds a lot better if you do without the pictures. Secondly it is very important to make sure that the bass is made to sound just right. This is not as easy as it sounds. I had to use a lot of different approaches and a lot of different speakers before it worked as it needs to. This is because Bruce's bass sound now is very different from what it was and his playing always was difficult to capture and needs a very fast response (from the hi-fi).
A little pedestrian, but entertaining.......2007-08-26
This is a very entertaining and enjoyable DVD, and the re-convened Blues/Rock genius that was Cream is still very much in evidence.
The video quality and sound is near perfect for the occasion, and the band give a lengthy account of just about their whole repertoire, most of which is pure class.
So why only 3 star? - well I found watching this a little like watching a world class footballer who is past 30; - still has the skill and the instinct but has lost a yard or so of pace. That really is the main fault, - there is simply a lack of drive and energy - its all a pit laid back, staid and somewhat off the pace. Clapton and Bruce probably sing as well of not better than before, but for my taste Claptons Strat sound does not do justice to the music, and I'm almost sure played Gibsons ( Les Paul and ESX?) originally and the songs now suffer in comparison.
Also for such an historic rock occasion there is virually nothing in the way of extras - 4 alternative versions of songs in the main DVD and a short interview section - rather disappointing given the band and individuals' history and what welath of material must be out there, especially original cream footage etc.
Still well worth having for the material which although not shown at its best is still way better than most rubbish you will get today and also good value for money.
Excellent stuff.......2007-02-13
I'm probably biased in this review as I was fortunate enough to attend the final show of this run, and as the majority of the performances are taken from this one, its a nice souvenir of a great night.
Nevertheless this is still a great DVD - the quality of the sound, picture and direction are first class. Clapton's guitar work is superb, his style has changed since the 60s admittedly but I think this adds to the performance really. It would have been a little strange for him to stroll out with a Les Paul after all these years. What stands out is the sheer amount of guitar in the set - Clapton's soloing for virtually 70% of the set! Even he comments on how much effort was needed to get into that performance mindset.
I can understand a few of the gripes in the other reviews - I know I was disappointed EC didnt step on the wah-pedal for White Room (he had it set up on the stage too...) - but all in all this is a brilliant live set.
The bonus features are OK with some extra takes of some songs, and some very informative interviews.
A spoonful by comparison.......2006-08-31
Firstly let me say that I absolutely love Cream, their music was the soundtrack to my high school days and we even had three guys who used to reproduce their Live stuff note for note at parties.
However this was a disappointment in one sense - Clapton's fiery playing through Marshall amplification is nowhere to be heard, the Gibson howl has been replaced with a very polite sounding Fender guitar amp combination that to my ears sounds too polite and at times mushy. On the other hand it is filmed magificently with fantastic views of Albert Hall and Cream on stage. I have to agree with the previous reviewer that a lot of the fire has gone but they are no less magnificent in their delivery, just the guitar sound detracted from the delivery. I bought this expecting more after reading the press reviews, I'll keep it for posterity and replace the audio CD version with Live at the BBC. For Cream fans it's a must-have and long may they reign.
lets get this in perspective here.......2006-04-13
I watched this with a sense of anticipation, could they do it again? would they be able to replicate their heyday? would they regain that magic?
Well, 2 out of 3 isn't that bad. The only problem is that I watched the original final concert straight after this one and boy did it make this reunion look weak! The energy and magic of the original had vanished like mist. This is like low fat, thin cream. OK they were never going to loose their amazing playing abilities, but like many groups that have survived past their 40s the magic has gone to be replaced by the lure of the dollar.
Don't buy this, buy the original and remember them for being original and great not playing for their pensions
Amazon.co.uk Review
As a Disney oddity, they don't get much odder than Three Caballeros. Donald Duck receives a birthday package from South America, and the film proceeds to unravel like some peyote-induced hallucination. It starts out reminiscent of other Disney films, where shorts are cobbled together, such as "Make Mine Music" or "Fun and Fancy Free". The film has vignettes such as "The Cold-blooded Penguin" and "The Flying Guachito". After them it careens into part-travelogue, part-stream-of-consciousness animation. Not helping out much are Donald's "friends": Joe Carioca (a parrot) and Panchito (a rooster). They spend most of the rest of the film watching Donald chase skirt. That's right, Donald Duck is a wolf in this movie, and he chases every live-action señorita who bustles across the screen. Although some will say otherwise, Caballeros is for die-hard Disney, Donald or psychedelia fans only. --Keith Simanton, Amazon.com
Customer Reviews:
Remember this as a child.......2007-03-06
I couldnt believe that I found this! I have been describing this film to people for years and no-one believed me. I saw it in infant school every christmas and it formed a subconcious love of samba. Its a little like an acid trip in rio so god knows what other subconcious thoughts were planted. Watch it, its a trip.
Disney’s first film to combine live action and animation........2006-01-19
When released in 1944 this film was hyped as the first time live action and animation had been mixed in the same scenes. There are times when it is apparent this was an emergent technique but it is very successful.
Around the loose story of birthday presents for Donald Duck’s we enjoy a riot of creative and glorious colour animation, dancing and singing with two new friends for Donald, Jose Carioca who was introduced in “Saludos Amigos” and his friend Panchita (a Mexican charro rooster). Also Pablo the penguin who travels from the South Pole to a tropical island in his bath is a little gem. And yes, Aurora Miranda is Carmen Miranda’s sister, doing a pretty good job of imitating her sibling.
I have always enjoyed this lesser known Disney film which has stood the test of time with its bright rhythmic music and superb animation.
Entertaining Fun.......2002-11-20
The Three Caballeros is Not one of Disney's most well known films, but that does not mean it is a bad film. UNlike most Disney offerings it does not have a hero or villain and the story is not like a Tolkien epic but it is over an hour of fun with Donald DUck on his birthday with two of his South American friends José Carioca and Panchito.
The film is made up of four main sections including a story about Pablo a penguin who wanted to venture to warmer climates. The second section is about a Gauchito who finds a flying donkey. The last two main sections feature Donald Pabchito and José.
It is filled with dance and music, the animation (for its time is superb) and the scenes where the three characters dance with Aurora Miranda and the other South Americans are sensational.
There is barely a minute without something worth watching truly a Disney classic.
Donald Duck's South American Goodwill Project.......2002-07-17
A follow up to the previously released 'Saludos Amigos', this was Disney's second attempt at goodwill relations with South America. The main problem with this film is that it is too episodic. The very thin continuity plot of Donald Duck's birthday soon becomes wearing and, too a degree, highly irrelevant to the set pieces. This is not say however, that the film is without merit. It provides (in places) a nice, if somewhat Disney-fied (and dated) insight into South American life and culture, and is at times, highly entertaining. Whilst not a classic in the same league as say 'Snow White' or 'Beauty & The Beast', it is still worthy of a viewing.
Very best!.......2000-11-19
Get this classic Donald Duck movie and keep it for years! This is worth as much as gold, the magic of Disney, if you like classics I highly recommend this and Saludos amigos from the same director. Buy it and put it in your collection.
Customer Reviews:
Delightful.......2007-10-25
What a wonderful collection. each DVD is preceded by a short chat by th great man himself, Somerset Maugham, with stories that trasnport you to another era. Of course the fact that the stories themselves ar so cleverly constructed helps enormously, but besides that, the acting and the old world charm of the characters just make this collection of three DVDs a superb gift. Also, the quality is such that you're likely to keep the DVDs and watch them time and again. The films, as with the stories upon which they are based, are timeless. What a brilliant idea to put together this collection.
Customer Reviews:
The Piano Titan.......2007-03-14
This is the first DVD, in colour, you can buy of an Oscar Peterson Trio with bass and drums. It is magnificent in every way. Neils Pederson is on Bass and Martin Drew is on drums.
Filmed in 1985, Oscar's playing was still as near his best ever as makes no difference and this means that you are in for a treat. The set list is:
A Salute to Bach (as it was 300 years since his birth in 1985)
Who can I turn To
Blues Etude
Yours is my heart alone
Falling In Love with La Belle Province
Nigerian Marketplace
Cakewalk
Skylark-My Foolish Heart
Perdido
Caravan
Fans will know that some of these are virtuoso showstoppers. Blues Etude, Yours is my Heart Alone and Caravan perhaps being the most obvious. However Oscar was always more than just a great technician and there is some superb thoughtful playing on this disc as well.
I bought my DVD from the US where it came out a few weeks earlier (and it is region 0). The picture is 4:3 ratio and the sound has 5.1 DD as well as DTS. The running time is 80mins. I saw Oscar Peterson live in 1987 and he didn't play much longer than that then, so you are probably getting his entire show here. I can't recommend it highly enough!
Customer Reviews:
Jolly good show.......2005-01-13
An excellent package. I particularly enjoyed the fact the DVD combines both documentary and performance.
The footage is, of course, dated but Jacqueline Du Pre's energy shines through, reflecting a love of both life and music that is, frankly, remarkable. There's nothing voyeuristic - though it is quite harrowing at times by virtue of the emotion her playing evokes. The content complements the film "Hilary and Jackie", by using interviews with Du Pre herself, which are particularly interesting.
The recordings of her performances are also excellent. I'd recommend it to all Du Pre fans and indeed anyone who loves cello music.
AN ABSOLUTE MUST!.......2004-09-07
This DVD is a masterpiece in itself. Not only it enchants the viewer with the beauty and the unequaled talent of one of the most astounding cellists the XXth Century has had the privilege to witness, but it is filmed with an incredible talent by the renouned filmmaker Christopher Nupen. A long awaited DVD by all Jackie admirers and music lovers in general, it has finally come to light. Thank you for producing this hymn to music and to the joy of life.
Customer Reviews:
Pleaseant surprise!.......2007-08-24
Anyone who is interested in jazz guitar will have heard of the John McLaughlin/Paco De Lucia/Al Di Meola trio that brought us 'Friday Night In San Francisco' and 'Passion, Grace and Fire'. Here we have an only slightly watered down version in that Larry Coryell, who actually instigated the original trio with McLaughlin adn De Lucia idea but was replaced by Di Meola ddue to personal problems, is not quite 'up to speed' (literally, in this case). Coryell, who is no slouch when ie comes to playing the guitar, is simply left standing by Di Meola and Lagrene. Whilst Di Meola is well established as a peerless technician, Birelli Lagrene sticks to the older man at every turn, matching his fire and energy with his own astonsihing technique. The pieces performed are strong and considerably challenging but Di Meola and Lagrene make it all look too easy. Coryell is just left standing, like an enthusiastic kid sitting in with his heroes and finding himself in need of some woodshedding.
A first-class rollercoaster for guitar fans but Coryell afficianados may feel uncomfortable realising that their idol has feet of clay. If you like 'Friday Night In San Francisco' and 'Passion, Grace and Fire', this is for you. Reach fo the 'Fastfret' and rip it up!!
Customer Reviews:
Beautiful and worth it!.......2007-10-13
An incredibly beautiful and wry film following Michel around various parts of the world with many of his associates and musicians followed by a fantastic trio performance in Stuttgart featuring Michel, Steve Gadd on drums and Anthony Jackson on Bass. That rare thing of the seeing experience being as good as the listening experience. A truly magnificent DVD of one of the true jazz giants of the last 20 years. 11 out of 10 *****
Customer Reviews:
Genius.......2006-10-07
A wonderful DVD, by a Jazz Musician at the height of his powers.
For example the stride Piano on Indiana is incedible and played at an amazing tempo. Beware (but don't be put off) this is not a tradional trio. In fact it is Oscar with both Ray Brown and NHOP. After 3 solo Piano numbers the bass players generally alternate their playing, so most of the time it is really a duo. Towards the end of the DVD they play Sweet Georgia Brown and during this Neils and Ray look on in astonishment as Oscar goes into overdrive and burns the Piano up - its that good!
I strongly recommend this disc together with all the other Norman Granz DVD's. Oscar also plays on a number of the other DVD's in this series as well so its worth looking out for those. In fact the whole series is a goldmine for Jazz fans.
I wish there is more than 5 stars to rate this DVD.......2006-05-23
I listen to jazz and like it.. but not my favourite music style... hubby purchesed this DVD.. and when I watched it with him I was WAWed, really WAWed... its AMAAAAAZING by all means.... I'm a big fan of Oscar Peterson now and I wanna buy all his CDs and DVDs ... lol
Oscar Peterson Trio 1977.......2005-01-31
If you like jazz even remotely then buy this and if you love jazz then buy this because you will love this recording. This recording is unusual because Oscar Peterson is accompanied by both the Legend that was Ray Brown on bass and Neils Pederson also on bass. Neils also gives a brief interview in the extras of this recording which helps make this a great introduction to Oscar Peterson and Jazz at its Best. How can I make such a statement? Well my wife who knows little or nothing about jazz is now hooked after listening to this recording. She now listens to most of my other jazz records with little or no complaint!
If in doubt when you first listen/watch this recording fast forward to the last track and be amazed at Oscar, Ray and Neils rendition of Sweet Georgia Brown. Oscar plays like he is on another planet, quite outstanding, whilst during this last performance on the DVD both Ray and Neils look on in amazement at Oscar's skill and virtuosity.
I've got many of Oscar's CD's already and to discover I can now buy his music on DVD is even better. I just wish Night Train, my favorite album by Oscar, was also on DVD.
The Greatest.......2004-11-06
A wonderful DVD, by a Jazz Musician at the height of his powers.
Witness the stride Piano on Indiana, taken at incredible tempo.
Beware (but don't be put off) this is not a tradional trio. In fact it is Oscar with both Ray Brown and NHOP. After 3 solo Piano numbers the bass players generally alternate their playing, so most of the time it is really a duo.
I strongly recommend this disc together with all the other Norman Granz DVD's. Oscar also plays on the Roy Eldridge DVD as well.
Customer Reviews:
A great Pianist - an average DVD.......2007-06-22
I love all the great Jazz Pianists and, for technique, Peterson is the master. His playing here is exemplarary and with Ray Brown and Ed Thigpen completing the trio it doesn't get any better. However I always find that Peterson's speed on the keyboard tends to get in the way of his Jazz 'feel' and I end up, as an ex semi-Pro Jazz Pianist myself, admiring him for the wrong reasons. Nevertheless I have more of his albums than most because he simply excites me.
Because this is in Black & White and Mono I think the DVD is over-priced -I have bought better jazz DVD's in my local High Street at Half the price.
If you are an avid Peterson fan though, buy it!!
Peter Smith
Torquay
UK
Oscar at the top.......2007-01-04
This is amazing B&W film of the Oscar Peterson Trio in 1964. Ray Brown is on bass and Ed Thigpen is on drums.
The choice of material is great:
Waltz for Debby
Cubano Chant
You are my Hearts Delight
to name but a few.
This last track in particular is absolutely mind blowing. Peterson at his virtuoso best. Where lesser pianists would have stopped after the first two choruses Peterson takes the tempo up and up until Thigpen is struggling to keep up on drums!
The picture quality of the tracks up to this point is reasonable. After this track the quality is lot worse. However, the sound remains decent and the playing from all thre musicians is so good it can only get 5 stars.
DVD:
- Crimes At The Dark House [1940]
- Daniel Deronda [2002] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Detour [1945]
- Die Die My Darling [1965]
- Die Monster Die/Dunwich Horror [1965] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Down Among The Z Men [1952]
- Elmer Gantry [1960]
- Elvis - Loving You [1957]
- FA Cup Final 1960 - Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Blackburn Rovers
- Fallen [1998] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
DVD List
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Cream - Farewell Concert [1968]
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