Amazon.co.uk Review
There was something genuinely heart-warming about the decision by Black Sabbath's founding members to take to the road again in 1999. The fractious intra-band relationships that have characterised Black Sabbath's long career were a major inspiration for the writers of This is Spinal Tap, and so there was something pleasingly symmetrical and evocative of the closing scenes of that fine film about the Sabs' reunion.
The concert footage was taken from six of the concerts on that tour. It is conclusive proof that the original quartet of Osbourne, Iommi, Butler and Ward--or, in Osbourne's words, "four dickheads from Aston, near Birmingham"-were every bit as exuberantly juvenile a rock & roll band in their early fifties as their late teens. Also included is a sketchy biography and interviews with the band by Henry Rollins, one of the countless contemporary musicians influenced by Sabbath. It's a nice idea, but the only real weakness of the package is that Ozzy is never granted time to wheel out any of his peerless reserve of grotesque rock & roll anecdotes. Nevertheless, the already formidable case for Osbourne's knighthood is strengthened further. --Andrew Mueller
Customer Reviews:
The editor should be fired........2008-01-08
I remember waiting for this to be released on VHS back in 1999. When it appeared after a couple of delays, I literally ran out of the store to get home to play this. Upon playing I became very disappointed extremely quickly. The editing is absolutely terrible. Interviews appear in the middle of songs! This happens several times and ultimately ruins the whole viewing experience. Why interrupt a classic song with an interview?? Shouldn't these segments be included in a separate section like 99.9% of concert DVDs? The DVD does not improve on the old VHS version in this respect. One day, hopefully, we will see an extended, no interruptions version of this otherwise classic release without the crap edits! Minus points aside, this is a definite purchase purely because it shows the greatest band ever formed in sublime form.
Strange editting but still worthwhile.......2006-08-10
This is billed as a "live" DVD - but in reality its a combination of live recordings, matched up to live footage from a variety of different concerts. You dont immediately notice, but every so often Bill Ward appears with his shirt on, then in the next shot he's got his shirt off!!! A bit strange.
The quality of the DVD and the sound is excellent though.
There are some very interesting/amusing interview sections too - but they're editted in amongst the songs. Would have been better to have a separate section for these really.
Overall its ood stuff though - great live band Sabbath, and a chance to see Iommi up close.
It's a matter of taste.......2004-06-03
I was really in two minds about getting this DVD after all the complaints about the editing, but then my desire won. I reasoned that if the content is good, surely the editing cannot spoil everything?
Boy, was I in for a suprise! I loved it! Every moment of it!
Plus, I think the editor did a fantastic job! I might be weird, but I really think that the people who edited the DVD must have put a lot of thought into what they wanted to achieve. I find that the interviews tie in wonderfully with what's happening during the concert, and the interviews and concert footage seem to support one another. I think it is very well done.
But, to give the other reviewers credit, I can conceive that if you want to get "into" the atmosphere of the concert, the editing will be a detractor and become a frustration. I found that the concert became so intense, that these breathers were actually quite welcome. Shows you - it's a matter of taste.
Both live footage and interviews are superb. The concert footage is clear and the sound is good.
The content of the interview footage is fascinating, to say the least. It is as intimate as any interview I've ever seen, and these guys shoot straight from the hip. Vastly superior to the interviews on "Volume 1".
I found this DVD to be exceptional value for money and recommend it strongly to any rock fan. It's one of my favourites.
shabby editing.......2003-02-22
This DVD shows fantastic footage of Sabbath at a reunion concert. The image quality and sound is spectacular not to mention the live performances. As mentioned in the other reviews, due to poor editing, the enjoyment factor for this DVD lowered so much. Mainly because a lot of the songs are drowned out in parts and interviews of the four members are added in. However some songs have been left untouched but the tracks Sweet Leaf and Snowblind are absolutely slaughtered. there are only a few seconds of running time for these songs. The other extras are good, but never make up for what could have been an easy 5 stars.
Fantastic performance - Dreadful editing.......2002-01-08
This re-union concert is fantastic to say the least. The original band performs all the classics to great ovation. The sound and picture is crystal clear. Now for the bad part - Duering most of the songs (and guitar solos) the producers have included interviews by the band to spoil the gig, and it's REALLY annoying. I hope we'll get a new DVD version of this incredible concert VERY soon. If it wasn't for the dreadful editing this DVD would get a 5 star review.
Amazon.co.uk Review
There was something genuinely heart-warming about the decision by Black Sabbath's founding members to take to the road again in 1999. The fractious intra-band relationships that have characterised Black Sabbath's long career were a major inspiration for the writers of This is Spinal Tap, and so there was something pleasingly symmetrical and evocative of the closing scenes of that fine film about the Sabs' reunion.
The concert footage was taken from six of the concerts on that tour. It is conclusive proof that the original quartet of Osbourne, Iommi, Butler and Ward--or, in Osbourne's words, "four dickheads from Aston, near Birmingham"-were every bit as exuberantly juvenile a rock & roll band in their early fifties as their late teens. Also included is a sketchy biography and interviews with the band by Henry Rollins, one of the countless contemporary musicians influenced by Sabbath. It's a nice idea, but the only real weakness of the package is that Ozzy is never granted time to wheel out any of his peerless reserve of grotesque rock & roll anecdotes. Nevertheless, the already formidable case for Osbourne's knighthood is strengthened further. --Andrew Mueller
Customer Reviews:
The editor should be fired........2008-01-08
I remember waiting for this to be released on VHS back in 1999. When it appeared after a couple of delays, I literally ran out of the store to get home to play this. Upon playing I became very disappointed extremely quickly. The editing is absolutely terrible. Interviews appear in the middle of songs! This happens several times and ultimately ruins the whole viewing experience. Why interrupt a classic song with an interview?? Shouldn't these segments be included in a separate section like 99.9% of concert DVDs? The DVD does not improve on the old VHS version in this respect. One day, hopefully, we will see an extended, no interruptions version of this otherwise classic release without the crap edits! Minus points aside, this is a definite purchase purely because it shows the greatest band ever formed in sublime form.
Strange editting but still worthwhile.......2006-08-10
This is billed as a "live" DVD - but in reality its a combination of live recordings, matched up to live footage from a variety of different concerts. You dont immediately notice, but every so often Bill Ward appears with his shirt on, then in the next shot he's got his shirt off!!! A bit strange.
The quality of the DVD and the sound is excellent though.
There are some very interesting/amusing interview sections too - but they're editted in amongst the songs. Would have been better to have a separate section for these really.
Overall its ood stuff though - great live band Sabbath, and a chance to see Iommi up close.
It's a matter of taste.......2004-06-03
I was really in two minds about getting this DVD after all the complaints about the editing, but then my desire won. I reasoned that if the content is good, surely the editing cannot spoil everything?
Boy, was I in for a suprise! I loved it! Every moment of it!
Plus, I think the editor did a fantastic job! I might be weird, but I really think that the people who edited the DVD must have put a lot of thought into what they wanted to achieve. I find that the interviews tie in wonderfully with what's happening during the concert, and the interviews and concert footage seem to support one another. I think it is very well done.
But, to give the other reviewers credit, I can conceive that if you want to get "into" the atmosphere of the concert, the editing will be a detractor and become a frustration. I found that the concert became so intense, that these breathers were actually quite welcome. Shows you - it's a matter of taste.
Both live footage and interviews are superb. The concert footage is clear and the sound is good.
The content of the interview footage is fascinating, to say the least. It is as intimate as any interview I've ever seen, and these guys shoot straight from the hip. Vastly superior to the interviews on "Volume 1".
I found this DVD to be exceptional value for money and recommend it strongly to any rock fan. It's one of my favourites.
shabby editing.......2003-02-22
This DVD shows fantastic footage of Sabbath at a reunion concert. The image quality and sound is spectacular not to mention the live performances. As mentioned in the other reviews, due to poor editing, the enjoyment factor for this DVD lowered so much. Mainly because a lot of the songs are drowned out in parts and interviews of the four members are added in. However some songs have been left untouched but the tracks Sweet Leaf and Snowblind are absolutely slaughtered. there are only a few seconds of running time for these songs. The other extras are good, but never make up for what could have been an easy 5 stars.
Fantastic performance - Dreadful editing.......2002-01-08
This re-union concert is fantastic to say the least. The original band performs all the classics to great ovation. The sound and picture is crystal clear. Now for the bad part - Duering most of the songs (and guitar solos) the producers have included interviews by the band to spoil the gig, and it's REALLY annoying. I hope we'll get a new DVD version of this incredible concert VERY soon. If it wasn't for the dreadful editing this DVD would get a 5 star review.
DVD Review:
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Black Sabbath - Never Say Die
Ozzy Osbourne - Live And Loud
Reunion: Limited Edition
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Black Sabbath In Concert [1972]
When The Bough Breaks
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