Godbluff: Live 1975
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List Price: $19.98
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Features
• Color
• Dolby
• Live
• Import
• NTSC
In Theaters : 15 July, 2003
DVD Release : 15 July, 2003 |
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Godbluff: Live 1975 Customer Reviews
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♥♥♥♥♥ |
Must-Have for Hard Core Fans
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Van Der Graaf Generator is not among the more well-known of progressive rock outfits of the 1970's. Many casual prog fans may be aware of the band, perhaps even heard a tune, but in terms of popularity, VDGG is virtually unknown in comparison to bands such as Yes and even King Crimson. However, Van der Graaf was never about being popular, or even accessible in many cases. Peter Hammill has one of the most unique voices in any genre of music, and either you love or hate what this band has done. The sound ranges from progressive space rock (H to He, Pawn Hearts), to a more immediate, almost punky sound, which is represented on this Godbluff DVD.
I'm not sure how to describe the music here, but the concert proper features the majority of the 1975 record of the same title, and it is my favorite album of the group. Their song "Scorched Earth" is my absolute favorite song of theirs, and if you appreciate this kind of music, you will love it too. The sound is progressive, and unique for featuring neither bass or electric guitars (the bass is covered by organist Hugh Banton, and Hammill infrequently plays guitars). As I mentioned above, the sound has almost a punk quality to it, in that the vocals are mostly agressive and the energy is quite direct and doesn't get too carried away. Not to fear, though: each song is quite long, and features many organ and saxophone solos. Prog meets jazz and punk rock in a dark alley, and VDGG results.
Very little video exists of this band during its 60's-70's tenure , so it is extremely important that this DVD even exists. The 1975 concert captured here is a mere 38 minutes long, but it is quite powerful and fairly represents the work of the group at the particular time it was filmed. If you've seen any concert films of the 70's (Song Remains the Same, YesSongs, Pictures of an Exhibition), you will understand that the picture and audio of the era are far from pristine. However, what is here is perfectly good, and should not warrant any unfavorable comments. My only real complaint: was it really necessary to make a 5.1 mix? This is a 30+ year old tape, and the audio benefits little, if any, from this multi-speaker mix.
The distributor of this DVD, Classic Rock Productions, has encountered some troubles with bands and fans alike with releases of other classic material from other groups. This DVD appears to be approved, however, and Pete Hammill sells it on his personal website/shop. I'm not sure if the band properly "profits" from this DVD, but it appears to bear an official status. It even features a lengthy bonus of "A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers" from 1971, which stretches the whole set out to roughly an hour. Not the longest DVD ever, but well worth it, especially to fans who must have EVERYTHING this band has done.
A quality archival effort, and the only known representation of the group on video. There are rumors of a new DVD of the band from their reunion tour of 2005, so keep an eye out. |
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Godbluff: Live 1975 dvd movie.