|
|
Whistle Stopper - Dire Straits: Alchemy Live
|
List Price: $9.95
Our Price:
Your Save: $ 9.95 ( 100% )
Availability:
Manufacturer: Polygram Video
Starring: Paul Comi, Charles Tannen, Frances Bavier, Steve Conte, Laurie Mitchell
|
Average Customer Rating:  
|
|
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786302158243
Format: Color
ISBN: 6302158249
Label: Polygram Video
Manufacturer: Polygram Video
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Polygram Video
Release Date: 1991-08-20
Running Time: 90
Studio: Polygram Video
Theatrical Release Date: 1991
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spotlight customer reviews:
|
Customer Rating:
Summary: It doesn't get much better than this
Comment: For some inexplicable reason, this incredible performance is not available on DVD! (Mr. Knopfler, please correct this situation). Because this is Dire Straights in their PRIME, folks, on a fantastic night in London in front of diehard fans who know every molecule of the music. And for all the guitarists out there (okay, all you air guitarists too)what a banquet of virtuoso playing this is. Not to be forgotten, drummer Terry Williams turns in a performance of Keith Moon-like magnitude, as well. And all those great songs, each presented as compelling drama. This is one of those all time high water marks for quality rock and roll.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Classic Concert - Where's the DVD?
Comment: This concert video is simply one of a very few all-time classic performances. To the naysayers I say, if you saw Dire Straits on a better night, lucky you. But this is just what the doctor ordered for me, all the great songs, played fantastically, and we actually get to SEE one of the all-time great guitarists do his thing. The video was state-of-the-art for its time, and the VHS-Stereo was only second to digital. So why has there been no DVD release in the USA? Come on, I will gladly buy it again on DVD, it is just that great!
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Overrated concert...
Comment: This concert has its moments... I saw the group live in 1985 touring after 'Brothers In Arms' was released and that concert was definitely better than this one... also saw them live in 1988 with Eric Clapton.
On the debit side, Mark Knopfler's vocals are rather weak at times on 'Alchemy', and he has a tendency to change the lyrics. This version of 'Romeo And Juliet' is a stinker. The best tracks by far are 'Sultans of Swing', 'Tunnel of Love' and most of all 'Telegraph Road'.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Where is the DVD!!??
Comment: Why are all this classic concerts not being released on DVD!?? Makes me angry...
Customer Rating:
Summary: Best live concert I've seen
Comment: I saw Dire Straits live in Canberra of all places, "On every street" tour in early 90's, they were supported by Hothouse Flowers (who were also very good I might add). It's not usual that a band of Dire Straits calibre comes to Canberra, they usually concentrate on the bigger cities, but I wasn't complaining. It was a good concert, but not a patch on "Alchemy". If I had one wish it would have been to be at this remarkable concert. Fortunately though, the video of the concert makes you feel as though you are there. Every song is performed well, not just by the master Knopler who leads the band superbly but everyone else is also strong in their performance. I've seen a number of live concerts - but this is the best I've seen without doubt...it's a masterpiece.
The song selection is great, whether it be the appropriate intro of "Once upon a time in the west" through to the emotional closing performance of "Going Home -theme of the local hero". Of course "private investigations" and "telegraph road" are also inspiring. "Tunnel of love" is probably my pick, as hard as it is to single out any one song. For good measure, they do a powerful rendition of "Sultans of swing" as one would expect. For a concert that was filmed in 1983, I'm amazed at how good the quality is, in terms of sound and photography.
I think if you were to ask the band members what was their greatest and most memorable live concert, I've no doubt they would recall with fondness, the "Alchemy" concert. What a great band, and what a great memory for those who were lucky enough to be there in the audience. I'm just hoping this will appear on DVD soon...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
