Customer Reviews

At the BBC (3CD + DVD Set) (PAL/Region 0)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

So, if you're a Banshees fan, just buy this. If you've bought the brand new, beautiful-looking (and more importantly, BEAUTIFULLY-SOUNDING -- YOU HAVEN'T HEARD THESE ALBUMS TRULY UNTIL YOU HEAR THEM IN 21ST CENTURY SOUND) crop of Siouxsie remasters (1982-1986), buy this excellent collection. This is a great companion to DOWNSIDE UP, because this prodigious collection has its own quirky mannerisms about it, just like that 2004 B-sides collection does. In fact, there is a goodly amount of B-side renditions on this BBC box set; some of the best being, "Red Over White" (this must be the precursor to their now-Classic THE THORN version, and just as good), "Head Cut" (I might like this version over the album version...Siouxsie completely loses her vocal mind on this one), and their version of "Supernatural Thing" puts their B-side version in a premature grave...the band gets very funky and R&B-ish on this one at BBC; "Coal Mind", "Shooting Sun", "Something Blue" ...there really isn't a bad rendition of any of the classic A or B or Album tracks on the whole thing. And the John Peel stuff (especially from the JOIN HANDS period onwards) is CLASSIC, as is the Skinner, Jensen, and Long sessions in the 1980s.

For those fans who purchased THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH in 2003 and thought there was something defective w/ their CD (I think you know what I mean), Discs 2 and 3 of this box set make up for that loss: Siouxsie has the CLASSIC Siouxsie range here, and, for the most part (you have to keep in mind, folks, that throughout these two concert performances, she's dancing and gesticulating her soul out), HITS THE FAMILIAR NOTES we all know and love. For you Gen-Y or 3rd generation Siouxsie fans, who never got to hear them live, this is a great 24 song collection to comfort yourselves w/ and really get the gist of what their live material sounded like in the hey day (old and new Banshees fans alike, this live concert collection rivals, and, perhaps, even bests the NOCTURNE concert of 1983; and for proof, listen to "Preacher Man", "Sweetest Chill", "Melt!", "Night Shift" (whoa! this version may be better than the JUJU version), "Pulled to Bits" and "Switch") -- 1985 - 1988, especially the selection of songs from the PEEPSHOW TOUR in '88, which was the tour to see them in if you were ever going to see them in concert. I was at the mid-October concert in NYC at Radio City Music Hall in 1988, at the tender age of 14 (my Mom had to take me), watching the skinheads, bondage freaks, Hardcores, and Punks up close in my conservative clothes...quite an experience. That was the 1st time I ever saw a female rocker singing and dancing at the same time (Tina Turner was the only other one I'd seen on TV doing that, and it amazed me), while able to hit and hold notes, doing ballet splits and high kicks, spinning from one side of the stage to the other. Even my Mother was impressed by this cool, 31 year old lady, who had more than meets the eye going for her. When I heard the recorded tracks from Disc 3 of their Peepshow tour at The Royal Albert Hall (they never seemed to have bad gigs there, did they?...NOCTURNE just gave them forever good juju at that venue, pun intended), just one month before they came over to America and NYC, it gave me vivid soundtrack memories of a show that I still remember...I still remember the lighting effects, set design, the set list (though I never got a tour program, I looked at one), which is very much the same here on this box set. So, young fans, don't despair that you couldn't hear them then; it's here in a very good sampling (wait 'til you hear the triple attack that is "Skin" / "Spellbound" / and "Hong Kong Garden" -- CLASSIC!).

Disc 4 is a compilation of their live TV performances from 1978 to 1991. For those of you who've seen ragged, jagged pieces of these performances on YOUTUBE, these versions are clean, remastered, and pretty clear for TV shows. People, this DVD doesn't seem to play on American DVD players, but it does on PC DVD players and/or CD-ROMS, so keep that in mind. Anyone who doubts Siouxsie's natural singing ability, give a listen and an eye to the early live versions of "Metal Postcard" (virtually the same as her version from THE SCREAM), "Jigsaw Feeling", "Playground Twist" (yes, she's singing that one live...a rarity on "Top of the Pops"; just like it was a rarity for Debbie Harry and Stevie Nicks to be allowed to perform live on "Solid Gold" over here in America), and the truly haunting Alt. Jazz song that is "Tenant". If you could show only one performance to give example of what The Group was about, this might be it.

Also, the Essay and Liner Notes by Long Time Siouxsie Critic and Fan, Paul Morley are excellent. He seems the best scholar of the band, and writes in the most poetic, eloquent manner that it reads like literary Nonfiction. He could write poetry, short fiction, novels, whatever. And, the mastering and remastering is mind-blowing. It's like you're sitting inside the BBC studios w/ them, or right next to the console at their concerts.

As Amazon does not list the songs on DISC 4 - The DVD, here they are with recording locations and dates:

1. Metal Postcard - The Old Grey Whistle Test: Nov 07,1978 Stereo
2. Jigsaw Feeling - The Old Grey Whistle Test: Nov 07,1978 Stereo
3. Playground Twist - Top Of The Pops: Jul 12, 1979 Stereo
4. Love In A Void w/ ROBERT SMITH - Something Else: Nov 03,1979
5. Regal Zone w/ ROBERT SMITH - Something Else: Nov 03,1979
6. Happy House - Top Of The Pops Apr 10, 1980
7. Israel - Something Else: Dec 15, 1980
8. Tenant - Something Else: Dec 15, 1980
9. Israel - Rock Goes To College: Mar 9, 1981
10. Spellbound - Rock Goes To College: Mar 9, 1981
11. Arabian Knights - Rock Goes To College: Mar 9, 1981
12. Halloween - Rock Goes To College: Mar 9, 1981
13. Night Shift - Rock Goes To College: Mar 9, 1981
14. But Not Them - Rock Goes To College: Mar 9, 1981
15. Voodoo Dolly - Rock Goes To College: Mar 9, 1981
16. Eve White/Eve Black - Rock Goes To College: Mar 9, 1981
17. Spellbound - Top Of The Pops: Jun 4,1981
18. Fireworks - Top Of The Pops: Jun 3, 1982
19. Melt! w/ ROBERT SMITH - The Old Grey Whistle Test: Nov 12, 1982
20. Painted Bird w/ ROBERT SMITH - The Old Grey Whistle Test: Nov 12, 1982
21. Melt! - Oxford Road Show Dec 3, 1982
22. Overground - Oxford Road Show Dec 3, 1982
23. Dear Prudence w/ ROBERT SMITH: - Top Of The Pops Sep 29, 1983
24. Swimming Horses - Top Of The Pops: Mar 29, 1984
25. Cities In Dust - Old Grey Whistle Test: Oct 29, 1985
26. Lands End - Old Grey Whistle Test: Oct 29, 1985
27. This Wheel's On Fire - Top Of The Pops: Jan 22, 1987
28. Peek-A-Boo - Top Of The Pops: Jul 28, 1988
29. Kiss Them For Me - Top Of The Pops: May 30, 1991

Amazon has changed its initial description of the DVD in this set. Originally listed as NTSC (U.S. format) it's actually in the PAL format, which means it won't be able to be played on most DVD players sold in the U.S. Some laptop and desktop computers will play the disc, since it's in the Region 0 PAL format, but this should be a consideration when deciding whether to purchase this disc.
Also, I pre-ordered this item in April and it still hasn't arrived. Amazon now says it's on backorder, and they don't know when they're getting in their shipment.

I just got the banshees BBC CD/DVD collection and I'm in heaven. For those "Siouxsie and the Banshees" fans this 3 CD with 1 DVD of rare live foottage is a must have. "Shut up and enjoy what we have given you!", Siouxsie. Those were her words before she sang "Rhapsody". Because when you thought you heard everything from the Banshees. This collection will shake you and throw you straight to outer space. In space you will only hear Siouxsie's voice, and the Banshees playing their most creative music live.

CD number 1 will warm you up and take you to their 1977-1981 recordings. "Red Over White" is one of the best versions I've ever heard so far. The Creatures will give you a taste with "But not them".

CD number 2 will get warmer with "Something Blue". "Song from the edge of the world" will num you. And the rest of the CD will leave you breathless.

CD number 3 will shoot you straight to heaven. This CD is one of the best live collections by far. "Rhapsody" will make you cry with Siouxsie's words of hope. "The Last Beat of My heart" will take you in a one way ticket to Siouxsie's beautiful heart. "Something Blue" will leave breathless. "Skin" will make you jump and down. Because this song sounds extremely awesome live. The list goes on with "Rawhead" and "Bloody Bones", "Carousel" to name a few. This collection will only leave you begging for more.

Disc number 4 which is one the Banshee's TV and concert rare live footage. When you thought you had seen every clip ever existed from this wonderful group in U TUBE. "LOL", you are wrong. U tube has some good stuff from the Banshees. However this DVD collection is not even close of what you have seen in U Tube.


Like Siouxsie said, "Shut up and enjoy what we have given you". I can say i'm also very selfish like you out there. I've seen "Siouxsie and the Banshees" live four times, "the Creatures" twice and Siouxsie solo once. And every time I've gone to her concerts I always wished she never stoped singing. I've wished she would sing every track ever recorded. But you know that is impossible. Siouxsie has always done her best to please every crowed. But we will never be pleased because we never get tired of hearing her music.

A true Salvadorian fan of Siouxsie Sioux.

This package rocks! Not only do you get three music CD's, you get a video DVD. The music CD's contain live performances from the Bansees early periods all the way up to modern live sets. The DVD includes two live songs with Robert Smith (The Cure) as the Banshees guitarist. This is a fine compilation by one of the finest bands of our time and is sure to be a coveted collector's item. Get your copy NOW!

A must for any fan of Siouxsie and the Banshees. The three CD's, material,DVD and booklet are priceless to any fan and would complete any collection.

This set is everything the other five-star reviews have already said it is. Fantastic collection, fantastic quality. I'm mostly writing this to point out that I can watch the DVD just fine, even though I have an old DVD player that is definitely for US-region DVDs. No problems whatsoever. Live fierce Banshees, and a nice change from YouTube clips!

This is about as close to perfection as you can get. This three cd, one DVD set encompasses the entire career of the now legendary Siouxsie And The Banshees and even touches a little on the side project The Creatures.

This massive set begins when the Banshees were just "infants" trying to figure out who they were and their niche up unto the point when it stopped being fun and the band ceased...so to speak. Thanks to Siouxsie and Severin who have been releasing fairly regularly hard to find gems and versions ever since the Banshees split.

The package design is wonderful It is designed like a hard cover book. When opened, it has two disc inside the front cover, and two in the back, and the linear notes booklet in the center. The notes aren't really that interesting...more of the writer's visions than and actual interview.

But the music...is a rare gem in itself and well worth the money. Not all tracks work 100%. Some of the early tracks are a little on the shrill side. But you get to see the Banshees grow...and Siouxsie's voice grow from a shriek and wail to a vocal force to be reckoned with. There is not one bad track on this entire collection.

Disc One:
THE GOOD:
Love In A Void- This version cracks with a different energy than other versions out there
Halloween- Fantastic guitar work!
VooDoo Dolly- the production is clearer and Siouxsie's voice just soars on this version...better than the album!
But Not Them- interesting track from The Creatures
Into The Light- great bass work
HeadCut-cracks with even more energy than the JuJu version

THE BAD:
Metal Postcard, Regal Zone, Poppy Day---these are just plain shrill and hard to listen to

Disc Two:
THE GOOD:
Coal Mind- Siousxie's voice is much clearer on this version
Green Fingers- Just as good, if not better than the album
Painted Bird: This should have been a single in it's day
CandyMan- this is raw...and very energetic!
Something Blue- accoustic!

Disc Three:
THE GOOD:
Night Shift- It's just mesmerizing no matter what
92 Degrees...Siouxsie's vocals are amazing
Rhapsody- just as sinister as the Peepshow version


The Bad:
Cities In Dust-the vocals are too distant
This Wheel's On Fire: the guitar was weird and distracting

The DVD captures the Banshees TV appearances. You can see them grow as a group, and it's melancholy seeing them switch through the different guitarists through the years. The best tracks are the ones where they actually preform the songs. The Old Grey Whistle Test are the best ones. Although I am glad the Top Of The Pops clips are included, they aren't the band's best because on that show, they were forced to lip sync and fake play the instruments. The most painful was the appearance for "Peekaboo". Siouxsie looked as beautiful as ever with her black hair bobbed, but she barely mover her mouth to the words. You could tell she wished she was a million miles away.

This box set is so amazing!! I really didn't know what to expect before purchasing (Quality wise). I've seen some of these performances on You Tube and most if not all are in really poor quality (pixelated/poor sound). So to see these TV performances in excellent quality is a real gem. Please note: (as others here have stated) that this disc can only be played on an all region dvd player.

I havent order this and never will. You can't play the dvd part on any dvd player, not even the all region. If they can make it to play on any kind of dvd player, ( I was also told you can only play it on a computer, But I found out you can't even do that either) I would buy it but I wont until it if they can make it for US dvd players, also Why sell it in the US if we are not able to play it? Sounds like a great item, but it isn't able to play for any kind of dvd player.