Has it been a week already? How time flies when you are beta-testing, writing, and listening to review music. In fact, I spent some time this week watching review music on various DVDs, some of which made the column. I must confess it's odd to go from listening to Marduk to Rick Wakeman.
DVD Reviews
Little Feat: Skin it Back
Little Feat have always been one of those bands whose name gets misspelled, most commonly as Little Feet. Somehow the fact they are a country rock band lends itself to that sort of error. This DVD is part of the Rockpalast series which feature performances on the legendary music show. The visual experience on this is very much of the 70s whether it be the band or the audience. This was shot in Essen just a few days before the recording of their legendary live album Waiting for Columbus.
The song that you most might recall is “Dixie Chicken”, which while catchy in no way defines the band. While there is a certain level of humor in much of their bluesy country rock, the band still play some kick arse rock. You might also recognise “Fat Man in the Bathtub.”
What is most interesting about this DVD is the bonus tracks. They were recorded during rehearsal, and thus vary in quality of the visuals, however hearing songs not performed in the proper concert is a treat. One of those tracks “Skin it Back” gives the DVD its name, and, of course, there is “Rock n Roll Doctor”.
This DVD is decent value for money and certainly a must for fans of the band. Those who enjoy 70s country rock might give this a try as well.
Rick Wakeman: 6 Wives of Henry VII
The album was released in the 70s at the height of Yes’ early popularity. Rick wrote Hampton Court Palace to ask permission to perform the album there. Alas it took them a while to get back to him, over 30 years in fact. However once he got permission he went all out enlisting everyone from his son, an accomplished keyboard player in his own right, to the English Chamber Choir and none other than Brian Blessed as the narrator (who played King Richard IV in the first series of Black Adder). He adds a rather wonderful level of humour to the glorious pomposity of the entire event.
Due the length available on an LP one of the songs was dropped off the original release. That song “Defender of the Faith” appears here for the first time. Wakemen wrote new intro and outro pieces for the concert. It was truly a once, well twice as their were two gigs, in a lifetime event that will never be repeated.
Article comments
1 - Marty Dodge
There is a CD of the Wakeman gig. I think that the DVD is far more effective at getting across the spectacular. The CD is probably best in addition to the DVD rather than instead.