Lou Reed - "Tribute" 3xDVD box set

Shameless cash-in, some worthy info

Another opportunistic repackaging from Pride DVD, this set includes 3 previously-released (unlicensed) documentaries featuring Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground. With Lou's passing making recent headlines all over the world, this re-release, however worthy, is still rather shamefully mercenary.

The first DVD, "Punk Revolution NYC", focuses on the 1966-1974 New York proto-punk scene -- The Velvet Underground, New York Dolls, and CBGB's feature most prominently. Also discussed are Television, Suicide, Wayne County, Blondie, Patti Smith, Talking Heads, and Andy Warhol's influence on the scene. Many of the original artists are interviewed, alongside the usual critics and journalists. This 87-minute film includes a great many historic videos and photos, and with the insights of the artists' themselves, it all makes for a superb portrait.

The next disc is "The Sacred Triangle: Bowie, Iggy & Lou 1971-1973", examining the personal and artistic symbiosis that went on between these rock legends in that era. I've already reviewed this release, on it's own, back in 2010:

http://goatsend.blogspot.com/2010/11/sacred-triangle-bowie-iggy-lou-1971.html

Finally, the remaining DVD in the set is "The Velvet Underground: Under Review". This one covers the band's entire existence and all major releases, and features archival interviews with most VU members and colleagues, as well as Andy Warhol, historians, journalists, and even fans like Dean Wareham (Galaxie 500, Luna). With plenty of live footage and photos, this is probably the closest we'll ever get to a comprehensive documentary on the Velvet Underground and their legacy.

So despite serious fans likely already having these volumes, "Tribute" does include some worthwhile material, and could be a good bargain for those who didn't already purchase  these DVDs individually.

Lou Reed dot com

Iggy Pop - "The Document" DVD+CD

Mixed bag of Iggfo

Ah, it's another re-packaged mess from UK label Chrome Dreams. This time, it's a double-disc set of Iggy Pop documentaries. The 72-minute CD, titled "The Classic Interviews", includes 8 radio and TV interviews, from 1977 and Iggy's "Lust For Life" period (one interview also includes friend and collaborator David Bowie) through to a 2005 "Remembering The Stooges" interview. There's some great info here, including the famous 1977 interview in which Iggy explains his take on "Punk Rock", as utilized by the famous Mogwai song of the same name. This disc is evidence that as Iggy ages, his wisdom and well-spoken nature becomes much more apparent. The man is simply a genius.

The DVD is actually a clever re-packaging of an earlier DVD ("The Sacred Triangle:  Bowie, Iggy, & Lou") that focuses on the collaborations and interactions in the 70s-80s between Iggy, Bowie, and Lou Reed. The fact that even the packaging addresses the DVD as "Iggy Pop: The Documentary DVD" is shameful and deceitful. That is not to say it isn't a well-done documentary, but to not acknowledge the truthful contents is mercenary.

Iggy Pop is supreme, and there's some good stuff on "The Document", to be sure. Just be aware of what you're buying.

Chrome Dreams

Iggy Pop dot com

David Bowie - "The Calm Before The Storm: Under Review 1969-1971" DVD

Bowie's career has been examined, re-examined, and dissected so many times, I wasn't sure if I'd seen this one yet. But fortunately not, as it's a fine critical look at a particular era in Bowie's early career.

Looking predominantly at "Space Oddity", "The Man Who Sold The World", and "Hunky Dory", this 65-minute documentary includes all the Sexy Intellectual requisites: interviews with former bandmates, journalists, critics, and a wealth of rare footage and photos. Bowie's early career found him exploring a number of different paths, and this trio of albums leading up to the Ziggy Stardust & Berlin days transformed the former David Jones into a stage chameleon who managed to confound both fans and critics throughout his long and storied career. Not intended as a comprehensive bio of the man, "The Calm Before The Storm" is an extended look at a distinctly transformative time in the life of a transformative icon. I enjoyed this one, and any serious Bowie fan should see it. (Sexy Intellectual)

Ian Hunter Band Featuring Mick Ronson - "Live At Rockpalast" DVD

Formerly frontman for the legendary Mott The Hoople, Hunter is here joined onstage by longtime friend and associate Mick Ronson (best known for his work with Bowie's Spiders From Mars).

Recorded live in Essen, Germany in 1980, this made-for-TV show includes favorites like "Once Bitten Twice Shy", "We Gotta Get Out Of Here", and "All The Young Dudes". This is classic stadium-guitar rock of the first order, shot with multi-cameras and, as with previous "Rockpalast" titles, pro-quality audio. Another fine historical document, and a necessary purchase for fans of both Hunter and Ronson. (MiG Music via MVD Visual)

Ian Hunter official website

David Bowie - "Rare And Unseen" DVD

These unauthorized DVDs tread dangerously close to glorified bootleg status, but this 64-minute collection of Bowie interviews proves to be interesting and well-worthy for fans of this rock legend's extensive catalog. Centered around a rather poor and directionless interview by UK TV personality Russell Harty (who asked Bowie condescending, inane and sensational questions), this set inexplicably fails to document contexts for the clips, often juxtaposing 1970s-era interviews with 90s, seemingly without reason or relation. Points off for that. And Bowie's actual music was not licensed, either, so a celebrity imposter chimes in with sounds between clips. But those gripes aside, this was a really fascinating watch. Bowie is a complex individual who synthesizes avante and left-field musics and places them into a more pop/rock context. Genius or charlatan, he's great fun to watch. Overall, "Rare And Unseen" is an engrossing and informative (yet flawed) look at Bowie the man, and well worthy for serious fans. (MVD Visual)

"The Sacred Triangle: Bowie, Iggy, & Lou 1971-1973" DVD

This full-length UK documentary examines in detail the early 70's collaborations between modern-day rock legends David Bowie, Iggy Pop, and Lou Reed. At the time, all 3 icons were on shaky ground. Bowie was considered a one-hit wonder, and both Reed and Iggy Pop were has-beens, surrounding themselves with drugs and other destructive behaviors. But their meeting in 1971 was a catalyst for some of rock's most iconic and important works.

Bowie, being a devoted fan of Lou Reed's days in the Velvet Underground, ended up producing Reed's successful post-VU solo album "Transformer", spawning radio staples like "Walk On The Wild Side". Likewise, Bowie mixed the proto-punk classic "Raw Power" for Iggy & The Stooges, which, though it failed to make an impact at the time, is now recognized as being one of the earliest "punk" records, and one of rock's most vibrant and unhinged recordings before or since. And beyond these ties, the influences of both Reed and Pop on Bowie himself were the impetus for the creation of Bowie's onstage character, Ziggy Stardust, which propelled him to superstar status. This creative symbiosis between the trio of visionary artists set the stage for the rock of the future, unbeknownst to them.

Including interviews with friends, journalists, and colleagues (and including the outspoken former wife of Bowie himself, Angie Bowie), "The Sacred Triangle" concisely (but thoroughly) ties together the threads between the artists. There are plenty of musical samplings, rare interviews and live footage, and photos to illustrate. I learned a few things, and quite enjoyed this informative program. (Sexy Intellectual via MVD Visual)

Scarlett Johansson - "Anywhere I Lay My Head" CD

It's acknowledged by anyone with an ounce of sentience that Tom Waits is a goddamned genius. One of the greatest songwriters this side of Dylan himself, some would say (like me). And anyone who thinks Waits' distinctively, umm, 'unmusical' delivery mars his songs, well, you, kind sir, are unequivocally wrong. Hottie-of-the-week actress Scarlett Johansson seems to think she can re-invigorate and clean up Waits' tunes and present them to a new audience. This, her debut, contains 10 (count 'em) TEN covers of the masters' tunes (and one lowly original). It's all wrapped up in fine production from TV On The Radio's Dave Sitek, and boasts a couple of guest apps from David Bowie himself. Esteemed company, yes. But how's it sound? Well, it's nicely gauzy and shoegazey. Kind of floaty and narcotic. I won't talk about what everyone else says, about Johansson's lack of range. Bloody 'ell, Waits' own vocals aren't Mr. Tuneful, either. The question here is, does she add anything to these songs? I say no. Her re-interpretations are basically pretty window dressing. The wonderfully gritty, everyman delivery of Waits is here tossed into a fuzzy, slo-mo dreamscape. It's not terrible (except for the plain-awful synthpop version of 'I Don't Wanna Grow Up'), but it's not necessary, either. You're better investing in a superb Waits collection of originals like 'Beautiful Maladies' or the stupendous 'Orphans'. You'll be happier in the long run. You'll just have to trust me on this one. (Atco)
Not a Scarlett Johansson site
Another not a Scarlett Johansson site