DVD Review: John Hammond: The Paris Concert - Page 3

But it takes a person with a lot of strength of character to go out and perform on stage with a famous name, playing the music that his father produced. To do it with as much heart and respect as Mr. Hammond is able to imbue in his interpretations is a truly amazing accomplishment.

John Hammond: The Paris Concert is a DVD that matches the accomplishments of the man with its capture of his performance. If, like me, you've never had the experience of seeing him perform before, this production will be a revelation. John Hammond is a bridge that connects our world with the magical world of the acoustic blues he grew up in.

Included along with the concert is an interview with Hammond in which he talks about how he got started and his early career. What becomes clear from this short little piece of tape is just how much the music means to him. At one point, he says he used to feel compelled to explain himself to people. Now, he says, he just does what he does and if people like it great, if not, well there are enough people out there who do that it doesn't really matter.

What matters is that he loves what he does and it comes through in every song he plays. With only two guitars, a collection of harmonicas, and his voice, he doesn't just play the music of the past, he takes it off the shelf and blows the dust of history off so that it sounds as fresh, alive, and relevant as when it was first recorded. That takes love.

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Article Author: Richard Marcus

Richard Marcus is the author of the recently published What Will Happen In Eragon IV? and has had his work published in print and on line all over the world. The not so long-haired Canadian iconoclast writes reviews and opines on the world as he sees …

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Article comments

  • 1 - Mark Saleski

    Jul 07, 2006 at 9:19 am

    great review richard. i saw Hammond in concert once. quite the experience. strings breakin', spit flyin'. unbelievable.

  • 2 - Richard Marcus

    Jul 07, 2006 at 10:49 am

    Mark,

    I'm now definatly jealous of you. Damn I'd like to see him perform. At the bottom of the press release that came with DVD it said contact for interviews, so I did, but I'm not holding out much hope, but if it happens I'll let you know and I can ask him some questions from you if you want.

    Cheers

    Richard

  • 3 - Pat

    Mar 15, 2009 at 6:33 pm

    Saw John in the mid-nineties, opening for Duke Robillard & Buddy Guy. Blew me away. Saw him this past summer in a smaller venue. He came out to meet everyone after the show. An acoutic-blues powerhouse. See him live.

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