DVD Recommendations

If you're collecting music DVD's like I am, you've got to add these to your library...

"Concert For George" Tribute to George Harrison - 2 DVD & booklet - All Starr line up featuring Eric Clapton, Jeff Lynne, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Jools Holland, Joe Brown, and Sam Brown, with Gary Brooker (keyboards), Jim Capaldi (drums), Ray Cooper (percussion), Andy Fairweather Low (guitar), Dhani Harrison (guitar), Jim Horn (tenor sax) , Jim Keltner (drums), Albert Lee (guitar) and Marc Mann (guitar). And that's just the band! The first half of the show is a special composition by Ravi Shankar with his daughter and a 16 piece orchestra. Plus a special appearance by members of Monty Python. Recorded November 29, 2002 at Royal Albert Hall. A touching tribute to George Harrison from his closest friends, doing what they do best...playing music. Amazing to hear and watch all these guys on one stage. Profits from the DVD go to The Material World Charitable Foundation, founded by Harrison in 1973.

"The Concert For Bangladesh" - The first benefit concert of its kind, organized by George Harrison, featuring him and friends Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, Bob Dylan, Leon russell and Ravi Shankar. The 2 DVD set contains the original 99-minute film, restored and remixed in 5.1 surround sound. It also features 72 minutes of extras, including the documentary The Concert For Bangladesh Revisited 2005 With George Harrison And Friends, previously unseen performances, and a photo gallery. All artist royalties from DVD sales goes to UNICEF.



"Tommy and Quadrophenia Live" The Who with special guests Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Elton John, Steve Winwood, and Patti LaBelle. The drum chair is filled (at different times) by the awesome Simon Phillips and legendary Zak Starkey (yes, Ringo's son.)
The 3 DVD set spans two seperate tours. Disc one features Tommy performed in 1989 at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles. Disc two features Quadrophenia, from their 1996-97 tour, the first time it was performed as Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey had envisioned it.
The third disc (also from the '89 concert in L.A.) is billed as "live hits" including 'Love Reign O'er Me," "Won't Get Fooled Again" and "Who Are You?" It's on Rhino, who are doing some really cool DVD packages lately!

"Cream Royal Albert Hall London" Recorded May 2nd through the 6th of 2005, Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker reunite at London's Royal Albert Hall, the same stage where they called it quits as super group Cream in 1968. It was the first time Cream had played together in nearly four decades, with the exception of a brief reunion set at their 1993 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The 2 DVD's have all the classics..."Badge," "I'm So Glad," "Crossroads," "Sunshine Of Your Love," and "White Room." Plus interviews, this is a must for any rock collection!

Anatomy of a Drum Solo - Neil Peart - To be released around mid-December, the incredible tour de force drummer for Rush describes in detail his approach to the drum solo, from the studio. It also features two full Rush performances from their 2004 tour stop in Frankfurt, Germany. The best part? It's all shot from the perspective of the drum cameras. A real plus, for us drummers trying to figure out "how does he do that?!?"

R30 - The 30th Anniversary of Rush - just released! Read the blog for details.

I did say "collection," right? These aren't as new, but they're just as good...

Crossroads Guitar Festival - Eric Clapton and friends - 2 DVD's recorded Live at the Dallas Cotton Bowl in June 2004. I was there and it was awesome! An all star cast of rock and blues pickers...Jimmie Vaughan, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, James Taylor, J.J. Cale, Carlos Santana, John Mayer, John McLaughlin, Larry Carlton, Jonny Lang, Steve Vai, Eric Johnson, Joe Walsh, David Hidalgo and ZZ Top. Sales benefit Clapton's Crossroads Centre for addiction.



A Work In Progress - Neil Peart - Over four hours of video footage, from the studio with Neil describing his drumming approach with clips from Rush's "Test For Echo." It also features some great vintage Rush video! Only 1 DVD, but the bonus here is two booklets of drum transcriptions from "Test For Echo!" See Me...Hear Me...Read Me...Feel Me!



Party at the Palace - The Queen's concerts at Buckingham Palace - Another all star cast, mostly of british rock and pop, that celebrated her majesty's 50th year of rule in the UK. Featuring performances by Annie Lennox, Sir Cliff Richard, The Corrs, Sir Elton John, Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker, Ozzy Osbourne, Sir Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, Queen, Ray Davies, Rod Stewart, Steve Winwood, Tom Jones, and the original surfer dude Brian Wilson, along with a cast of hundreds in the choir and orchestra. A truly awesome spectacle, from the BBC (2002.)


A Hard Day's Night - The Beatles - Miramax Collector's Series 2-DVD set - This 1964 film has been called the forerunner of the modern music video. The first disc is the digitally remastered film. The second disc is a collection of interviews with the filmmakers, cast, crew and even George Martin about the music. A must have for any Beatle fan. I'm still waiting for Miramax to release "Help," "Magical Mystery Tour" and "Let It Be." And let's not forget the recent remaster of "Yellow Submarine" on DVD too.


This is Spinal Tap - One of the most outrageous, funniest rock parody films ever! I swear I had lived (and died) through some of these scenes in real life. This is an absolute must have DVD for anyone who likes rock and roll or evervpicked up a guitar. The MGM Special Edition has 5.1 sound, audio commentary (hilarious,) Rob Reiner interview, bonus footage (not to be missed,) TV commercials, heavy metal memories and four music videos. I've never laughed so hard in my life. Spinal Tap is an experience you will never forget!

Whew! That's the cream of the crop as of now, but there's lots of new releases and cool packages coming out soon, so stay tuned...