A lasting legacy of the finest guitarist of a generation
579883
Wow! 30 years on and STILL sounds fresh and looks stunning.
Captured at an intimate setting, a long way from Texas, Stevie, Tommy & Chris let rip from the word go, and don't let up.
Personally, I'd love to have seen more camera shots of his hands playing, but that's personal preference.
There is a poignant interview with Tommy & Chris as a bonus feature recorded 9 years after Stevies untimely death, and they STILL look dazed and haunted from his passing.
My only slight criticism from this fantastic release are the omission of several songs that WERE played and recorded but don't appear on this updated DVD.
You'll Be Mine and Little Wing appear on the official release of the CD from the Complete Epic Recordings but don't appear visually which is a huge pity.
Still, embrace this polished up DVD, and just feel the intensity of the playing from a true master yet to scratch the surface of his potential
70734
I still love this album after 35 years. Focus' 70s progrock has stood the test of time better than most of their peers because their sound was so very straightforward and (ahem) tightly focused. Wisely, Focus didn't go much for all the cheesy synths that marred so much early prog; mostly sticking to piano and Hammond. They also had one of the all-time greatest and most tasteful guitarists ever, Jan Akkerman. The melodies on this album borrow heavily from Bach, light jazz and the Beatles, but flow wonderfully. The result is a clean/uncluttered elegance and adult sophistication that is still refreshing to hear. If you love the great rock guitar riff on Abbey Road that accompanies the "1-2-3-4-5-6-7, all good children go to heaven" ditty, then you really need to hear this album - because the title track is a fantastic 20-minute concerto built upon that famous riff! Akkerman's use of Leslie cab with his guitar on this one is very memorable as well. While the album's other songs are perhaps not so instantly engaging, they'll really grow on you too if you give them the time and attention they deserve.
3266005
I would be hard-pressed to pick one or two albums as my absolute favorite blues recordings, but these two Johnson/Snowden releases are right up there. I happened to learn about Lonnie Johnson after viewing a video he made in the 60's. Once I read a bit of his history, I learned that he was one of the true greats: creating wonderful guitar recordings back in the 20's, than later playing with Duke Ellington. Forced to give up his music for years, I believe he re-discovered while working as a janitor in a hotel.

I have seen many lists of great guitarists, but few of them include Lonnie Johnson. Like many of the old greats, he never received his well-deserved rewards during his lifetime. Thankfully, many of his recordings have survived for our enjoyment!
4704458
Peter Frampton may well being the most underrated guitar player of all times.  This album is his greatest mix blessing of his life, it sold 6 millions copies and destored his reputation for the rest of his career.  Even a Grammy for 2006 Fingerprint album and the equally fine Thank you Mr. Churchill, could not restore the his reputation as one of the best Guitarists of his time.  In the 2011 Rolling Stones 100 Greatest Guitarists of all times, he was not even mentioned  let alone included as one of the top 100.  Yes it is 70s pop rock, arena rock at it best.  It take you back to a time when rock was fun.
2463177
I received this review copy several years ago now. That interest has come and gone, affliation with that site has waned.

But I still have not seen a better music DVD. If my house catches fire, I'm taking this DVD with me!

Out of all the DVDs I've got, this one is the pinnacle of production and material.

My admiration for Clapton waned a bit when he diverted to more mainstream music - I am not a big fan of the unplugged series.

However there's no doubt that Clapton is the finest guitarist and musician of our age. He has become that humble legend.

Two songs stand out for me - "I Shot The Sheriff" and "Old Love". Very few songs draws out emotions in me, these two brings a tear to my eye. He guitar solos are supernatural. I think the audience has a moment of silence when he ends because they are dumbstruck by such a 'GODLIKE' performance. Other guitarists can try to emulate Clapton but they come out looking like they masturbating with a cheap Ibanez.

Played back on a state of the art DTS surround system, it's almost as good as being there. Play it on a rainy day!

I have captured them on CD and play them in my car - it's uplifting, life changing music. I'm certain our grandchildren will be looking at this DVD and they'll stare back in wonder when you say "I went to an Eric Clapton concert".
1068868
This tribute album struck a sentimental chord with me as I was driving down the highway listening to these other accomplished artists cover some of Dio's finest moments.  The medley that Metallica put together, covering four early Rainbow songs, including Stargazer & Kill the King, nearly brought me to tears.  It somehow validated my being such a hard core Rainbow/Blackmore/Dio fan, for so many years when so few in America really supported their efforts.  That song alone is worth the price of the album which all funds  Dio's legacy charity anyway. If you were a Dio fan from his early days through Elf, Rainbow, Sabbath or Dio, there is something for you to enjoy and admire about these heavy hitters performing possibly the greatest hard rock singer of our time.  I hope that RJD knew how beloved and admired he was while he was still alive.  Buy this album, it's good for cancer research, and it's good for you too!
1835898
This is really one of the greatest guitar records ever. I have easily listened to this a few hundred times already. I am a guitarst (20+ years) and follow all the greats; Randy, Eddie, Zakk, Dime, Marty, Jason Becker, Hetfield, etc. This one is up there with any of them. The solos are amazing, jaw dropping. But not just technique for the sake of technique. The melodies are amazing. This is now on the list of the most critical guitar records for any metal/rock guitarist to own; Perpetual Burn, Dragons Kiss, Zero Order Phase, and now Plains of Oblivion. Zero Order Phase was beyond amazing and this is another amazing effort. While I wish it was totally instrumental, the vocal tunes have completely grown on me and are also amazing. I don't skip them anymore.
I have a hard time knowing which one I want to listen to, Zero Order Phase or Plains of Oblivion. The rhythm playing is amazing too - the riffs are just sick.
I talked with Jeff about the record and told him that it totally reminded me of Perpetual Burn and Dragons Kiss and that I read that is what he had in mind when he was making them. He really appreciated that and took it as a compliment.
He was sick playing this live, and he was a stellar human being. He gave everybody tons of time and photos and was really available. He was super nice and humble and he didn't have to be. That just makes him that much better.
Beyond amazing. I am a fan for life. While I cant wait for future releases, these will never get old.
By the way, don't miss the last track - it will kick the balls out of the top of your skull. And youtube these to watch totally amazing videos of him playing these in his home studio and on EMGtv
Thanks Jeff
4615319
There will never be another Chet Atkins.  No one has ever earned the respect of guitar players from every field from all over the world the way Chet has.  "Stringing Along With Chet Atkins" was the first Chet album I bought as a young boy.  Chet put his personal touch on every tune starting with "O' By Jingo."  The almost inhuman dexterity of Chet's right hand along with his unique ability to move down the neck of the guitar from one chord position to another, using open strings to tie it all together as only he could do it, will keep the most critical spellbound.  From there it only got better with the 3/4 and 4/4 mixture on "Alice Blue Gown," and the silky smooth, very tastefully done "Hello Ma Baby," to the lightning fingered duel with Jethro Burns on the mandolin in "Gallopin' Guitar," and also "Main Street Breakdown."  Chet along with Homer and Jethro was an unbeatable combination.  The musical comedy team of Homer and Jethro were surprisingly good musicians in their own right.  Of course Jethro was Chet's brother-in-law.  All of the rest of this two-disc combination set is fingerstyle guitar at its best.  It just doesn't get any better than this.  If you ask real Chet afficianados which is their favorite Chet album, most will say either "Finger Style Guitar" or "Stringing Along With Chet Atkins."  This is an unbeatable deal to be able to get these two classics in one set.  Long live the legacy of this remarkable gentleman from east Tennessee known the world over as "Mr. Guitar."
3102947
I share the enthusiasm of the previous reviewers for this definitive biography of the man who introduced Rhythm and Blues  to a young white audience as Rock 'N Roll.

As a teenager, I remember standing in long lines outside the Brooklyn and Times Square Paramount theaters waiting for those electrifying 12 to 15 act shows to begin.  Little did I realize that the musical foundation for my kids and grandkids was being constructed on those stages between 1954 and 1959.  It is not hyperbole to say that Alan Freed and the music he supported made a major impact on many social and cultural levels world wide.

John A. Jackson approaches his subject with both passion and compassion for a man who's life ended prematurely and tragically at age 43.  He neither sensationalizes nor glamorizes the dark side of the music business in the process. His fascinating behind-the-scenes account of this champion of American music is well deserving of the Rolling Stone/BMI Ralph J. Gleason Award for Rock & Roll Journalism it received.  Highly recommended.
1242928
John Williams and Julian Bream are two of the finest classical guitarists that ever walked the planet. As a music lover and an avid audiophile, I can say that this is one of my favorite albums in my entire collection. I had another copy, but I was looking for a cleaner one when I bought this one. Beleive  me, if you like great sound, this recording will put you right there in the middle of the performance. Its of true audiophile quality ... and of course, the music speake for itself.
1838758
This is one of my favorite cds and one of the best crafted albums of all time. This is some of the finest guitar work I have ever heard. Buckingham's playing is both expressive and technically brilliant. He is certainly underated in this area. The song writing is outstanding and the album has this wonderful flow as one song compliments the other. Vocally, Buckingham has always been first rate and he doesn't let us down here either. This album is one of the great rock-pop classics ever. This is possibly the highlight of Lindsay's career. I just wish with the kind of talent that this man has that he had more solo material out there than just a handful of albums.
4574735
Reptile is not only beautiful, quality work by Clapton, but it is a body of work that will stand the test of time.  Consider this: what makes Clapton different from other rock stars that have been around 30+ years?  It's his ability to continue to search and try different things.  I like most Clapton fans wouldn't have any problem with him pumping out album after album of long, guitar solo driven music; he certainly hasn't lost his ability to play.  I just saw him in DC recently and he played great with a lot of energy.  But what other music legend would have the courage to record "Son and Sylvia", "Modern Girl", and others?  Of course he gives you the blues: "Come Back Baby", "Got You On My Mind", even "Don't Let Me Be Lonely" which is phenomenal.  Reptile is everything that can be right about popular music.  It is different and changes styles - who wants to hear the same thing over and over.  For those, like the person in Canada, that think he's supposed to do the same thing from CD to CD, you're missing the point; you're obviously not a musician or a creative person.  Anyone that has a clue about creativity will know the very first listen through Reptile that this record is classic, the songs are very melodic, he's singing better than ever, and it leaves you wanting more.  Bravo Clapton!
4169811
When this debut album by Del Amitri came out in the mid-1980s I was immediately smitten. I liked the other albums the band did over the next decade also, but for me nothing else that followed was nearly as magical or memorable. This album just had it all; well-crafted songs full of melody, those sweet vocal harmonies, the jangling guitars. Every single song on this album shines. Guitar-pop perfection. Take Aztec Camera, add some Prefab Sprout and sprinkle a bit of Smiths into the mix and you will have a close approximation of the music on this album. Nearly three full decades later, this music still sounds fresh and vibrant. All the qualities of a classic.
2643342
Jimi Hendrix is arguably the best rock guitarist of all time. In this biography by Charles Cross we learn of the scathing poverty and heart breaking instability of his families' early years. His slow and meteoric rise is chronicled expertly to show how he went from the small time to the very big time. Little known facts are brought out about; his service in the 101st Airborn, early (and later) girlfriends, drug and alcohol abuse and the many other influences positive and negative which shaped his incredible career. New light is also shed on his untimely demise from an overdose of sleeping pills at the age of 27. Anyone who is a Hendrix fan or a fan of the sixties music scene in general should enjoy this book.
3527181
Don't let the best music EVER written be forgotten. This CD gives the best music  eternal life with the best 20 songs written by the best guitar player of all time. Shipping was fast, product was well protected, a little scratch on the case( no big deal), and the disk looked brand new. If your looking for a great gift for a Jimi Hendrix fan, look no further. I don't have to tell you how it sounded because it's Jimi!!!!
4474491
This CD, without a doubt, is everything that the
 electric guitar is! Clapton would never sound as
 warm, or biting;...this is where the guitar took
 flight- from it's gut-wrenching bends, to the articulate
 phrasing!! As a guitarist of some 25 years, I'd say this
 album is more relevant today-than ever.
 The remastered disk sounds even better;plus, the two
 bonus tracks are great. Whatever you do, with regard
 to listening to Clapton, start with this.
2537739
This DVD is such a joyous celebration of Les Paul and his life, his influence on the recording industry and his influence on musicians, that for a reviewer, especially a novice one like myself, with so many positives aspects to discuss about this DVD, it would probably be best if I just said, "Buy it."

But, I can't...  because there just aren't that many quality biographical DVD's out there that have no flaws.

In "Les Paul Chasing Sound," you have the life of guitarist extraordinaire Les Paul and his amazing story of taking his guitar talents first to Chicago, and all its jazz clubs, then to New York City, and finally to Hollywood.  As he takes this journey, he shares with the viewer the reasons for his choices, and how each one built upon another.  The editing is superb, with the director choosing clarity for the viewer over continuity, as pieces of interviews conducted in several environments are interwoven to give the viewer an excellent, well thought-out story.

Then, there is the story of Les Paul the inventor, as he recounts the set-backs he encountered in developing a solid core electric guitar, first for Epiphone, then Gibson.  It was only after Leo Fender developed the Fender Strat in the early 1950's did Gibson come a calling for Les to show them what his solid body guitar do for them. It is disputed between McGinty of Gibson and Les Paul as to Paul's actual involvement in the process, but there is not doubt that having the name "Les Paul" on the head stock didn't hurt sales any.

The story isn't always a happy one, the automobile accident on a snowy road broke his right arm so badly that the doctor wanted to cut-it-off; however, another doctor said, "This man is an amazing musician. We cannot end his musical career that way."  So, it was decided to set his arm in such as way to allow him to continue to play the guitar.

The late 40's and early to mid-50's were glorious times for Les Paul and his wife Mary Ford (original name Colleen Summers, but renamed by Les so that her name would be short in length, like his, and it would fit better on the billboards), as they had Top-Ten hit after hit.  Then, Rock-and-Roll came and his music fell out of favor.

I could go on-and-on about the program, but I won't, why should I tell you  everything, but what I will tell you is that this DVD is worth its price just for the extras: the clips of Les playing with Keith Richards, Chet Atkins, Kay Starr, et. al., the full-length performances of him and the Les Paul Trio playing at he Iridium Jazz Club in New York City, clips from TV appearances, and extended conversations featured in the movie that you can view easier as an extra to the DVD.

Finally, there's one other reason music lovers and musicians, guitarist or otherwise, should buy and listen to this DVD on Les Paul, there is the exuberance that Les Paul, at 90 years young, still shows for life.

I entitled this review "A Joyous Celebration of Sounds Caught and Thrown Back to Others," because, to me, Les Paul took and developed those recording sounds we take for granted today...  sound-on-sound, sound with sound, echo, over-dubbing, and he, like one of those fishermen on a TV fishing show does when he catches a 10 pound bass, throws those concepts back so that others can learn them and make better recordings.

This DVD is a celebration, it is a joy to watch, and it gives us so much insight into Les Paul, the evolution of music, especially jazz, in the mid-1900's.