Customer Reviews

Blue Man Group - The Complex Rock Tour Live

5 star:		(80)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I love everything about Blue Man Group: the concept; the music; the humor; and, of course, the weirdness. This DVD is NOT of one of the typical BMG shows from New York, Boston, Chicago, or Las Vegas, rather, it is a concert from their recent 'Complex Rock Tour', which is totally different materiel. The DVD was actually taken from two shows, one in Dallas, and one in Minneapolis. I was fortunate enough to be at the Minneapolis show that this DVD is partially taken from, and watching this is almost as good as being there.

The musical performances, showmanship, sound quality, and cinematography on the DVD are breathtaking, and make me want to go see BMG again as soon as possible. There are standout performances by guest vocalists Tracy Bonham and Venus Hum (in the greatest dress I have ever seen anywhere on anyone.) I would have liked to see the Bonham opening set (especially the Led Zeppelin violin recital), but unfortunately the producers didn't accommodate my desires. Here both vocalists are used to excellent effect.

The music itself is potently addictive (I have the soundtrack CD in my car) and intriguing. Of course BMG is known for percussion (which I adore), and that is spotlighted to excellent effect on the DVD. The whole band is wonderful, and provides an excellent, and often whimsical, backdrop for the antics of the three Blue Men. Particular standouts for me are "Above", "Time to Start", "Up On The Roof", and the beautiful, haunting tribute to September 11 victims, "Exhibit 13." Also of note are the comedic links used in which an offstage recorded voice gives instructions in 'Rock Star Movements' which the Blue Men then teach the audience (my personal favorites are Numbers 4 and 237.)

The DVD has a couple of extras, including the music videos for "Sing Along" (featuring a dazed looking Dave Matthews), "The Current", and the magnificently minimalist "Exhibit 13." Be sure to watch these, as they give a totally different perspective on the songs. You also want to catch the DVD credits. I won't say why, but trust me on this one.

All told, this is an excellent introduction to the eccentricity that is Blue Man Group, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in music, comedy, or general oddity.

I've been to the Blue Man Group's theatrical productions in Chicago and Vegas, and enjoyed both very much, and managed to see the last show of the tour, but the first experience is always the one that stands out. I knew the Rock Concert Tour was something the BMG was trying to attempt for some time, and the Complex Tour was a great effort.

Some of the vocalists on the CD did not tour with BMG, but contrary to another review, a few of the vocalists did. Tracy Bonham sang "Up to the Roof" on the CD, and helped out with other songs on the tour. Venus Hum was there for "I Feel Love", an awesome Donna Sommer cover (and no, I'm not a Donna Sommer fan).

What you get on this DVD is a compilation of 2 shows. As a result, some of what you see isn't always in synch with what you hear. But it's close. To the average viewer, it won't even be noticed. You also get a few music videos that have been played on VH-1. On the flip side of the DVD are 3 songs in 5.1 and DTS. A full 5.1/DTS Audio-DVD will be released later this year.
As far as a Blue Man Group experience... that really can only be had experiencing them live.

What you don't get on this DVD are the cool opening sets by Tracy Bonham and Venus Hum. Every headliner needs an opening act, right? They alternated as opening acts for BMG during the tour.
You don't get the "White Rabbit" Jefferson Airplane cover, and you don't get the purported spontaneous playing of "Freebird" when someone in the audience yells out the request.

As far as concert DVD's go, this is one of the best. For someone who's never seen them, and lives too far to see one of their theatrical productions, this DVD will help bridge the gap.

Man, I can't believe some of these reviews! Ask yourself a question, people: "Were you entertained?" If you answer "yes," and you must, then it seems this alone should be worth the price of the DVD. Anyway, I don't want to get too negative about what others write, so I'll get on with my review.

I can remember when BMG was on Johnny Carson. I always thought they were amazing, getting wild sounds out of the most unusual, yet common things. I filed this away as fun entertainment, but thought there would be no way could I sit through too much of it.

Fast forward a few years and I find myself married to a great girl who loves to watch concerts on DVDs. She REALLY loves BMG. So I bought this DVD for her, thinking I could take it if it got a bit stale. Man, this DVD blew me away!!! We had the TV turned up to 11!!!

These guys are so talented, funny, intelligent, innovative ... I just can't find the adjectives to describe it all. This DVD is an absolute BLAST to watch! You'll see Tracy Bonham, Venus Hum (two days later, I still can't get this great old tune out of my head!), and Dave Matthews in a bonus video, to name a few celebs.

"Exhibit 13" is a song and bonus video about 9/11 (although there is no reference to it specifically). Typically for BMG, it is a rather chilling, if odd, look at what all those little bits of paper represented on that awful day. It is simply a different look at a day that has been burned into the mind of the world. It was refreshing, though, if just for that reason.

Trust me, your entertainment dollar is well-spent with this DVD.

First of all, the facts. Blue Man Group (BMG), the Complex Rock Tour Live, is NOT a DVD of a typical BMG show, such as the one I experienced at the Luxor in Las Vegas. If you want a DVD of that show and would be disappointed in anything else, then do not buy this one. However, if you've seen the fabulous Men in Blue, with their unique, theatrical perspective on what it means to live in the 21st century, and would like to see what a rock concert staged by them would look like, then get it by all means! Basically, Complex Rock Tour is a parody of every rock concert you've ever attended, right down to the audience participation. As always, the Blue Men never speak; they merely hold up signs, play prerecorded announcements, or use grand gestures to indicate what the audience is to do next, sing along, yell, raise fists, whatever. The percussion and guitar heavy backup band is a killer, and guest vocalists Tracy Bonham and Venus Hum are wonderful. The Blue Men do some of their famous bits, such as pipe percussion (you have to see it to belive it; it's great!), but mostly act as postmodern emcees and react to the strange phenomenon of a rock concert taking place all around them. If you've never experienced BMG before, I know that after reading the above, you are probably still confused as to what takes place during this or any other BMG show. I'm sorry, I've done my best, but the truth is that a BMG show simply defies description. There is only one thing in common: Everyone who goes to see a BMG show LOVES IT!! Children love the blue painted faces and all the cool visuals. Thinkers love the philosophical approach, a kind of Jung on acid experience. Non-English speakers also seem to relish their shows; a BMG experience is so captivating, so utterly overwhelming that even if you don't understand it all, you can sit back and enjoy a masterfully produced show. So, get Complex Rock Tour Live ASAP, watch it over and over, then attend the closest BMG show. Trust me, it's an experience you won't soon forget!!!

I have watched this DVD COUNTLESS times and there is no way that I'll ever get enough of it. Whatever mood I'm in, it instantly improves for the better.

If you know and love the BMG you will adore it and probably already own it. If you do not, you will be AMAZED! There is not one person I have shown this to who has not become an immediate and intense fan.

The BMG are nothing short of addictive - and this DVD ROCKS. You will laugh very hard, you will find yourself dancing (I dare anyone to keep up RM #3 for long) and your mouth will drop at some of the AMAZING performances during this show by both guests and the BMG.

From a journey that explores our isolation in office cubes and society in general to a beautiful tribute to 9/11 to short comic skits (the rock manual encourages the blue men to do something to make their appearances stand out, LOL) to an intense performance of The Who's Baba O'Reily - with Tracy Bonham practically burning up her violin - you will witness a concert like no other.

It's nothing like a show you'd see in one of the regular venues - but it is nonetheless intense as they explore the "Rock Movements" so cliche' with any touring rock band.

Three blue men who say nothing at all can move audiences of 10,000. Enough said.

Welcome ahead of time to the world of BMG. It's a very wild and happy place to be. :-)

Blue Man Group is (are?) pure genius....an amazing blend of theater, comedy, movement, music, sound, animation, and wild and weird musical instruments. The critic from Uruguay is wrong in his claim that it's not sophisticated. In his defense it is easy to get caught up in the novelty and comedy of the show and miss things--much like the audience members who shout out inappropriately at the end of "Exhibit 13"--a moving albeit not fully credited tribute to the victims of September 11. Sure, Blue Man Group can be enjoyed just for their wackiness and some good rock music played by a terrific band. But they are so much more than just grown-up Smurfs--the Complex Rock Tour is a real emotional voyage, and the Blue Men, for all their strangeness, are us. They're lost and perplexed in a complex (!) world, and as they make their way through it, they become exhilirated at their discoveries and take joy in their creativity. While much of the Blue Man Group's mischief in the regular shows is missing here--the Complex Rock Tour is exactly that, and omits most of the clowning--the Rock Tour seems to be more cohesive than the shows, and to me more emotionally satisfying.

Our Uruguay critic is wildy and totally wrong that the instruments used by BMG are "completely non-functional". They are fully functional, new instruments; BMG give some details in one of their CDs but unfortunately there's nothing here except the video of those instruments in use. Anyone who has gone to a BMG event knows well that the performers are very fine percussionists and this is NOT just "lip-synching" for drums. The imagination that has gone into the creation of these instruments is awe inspiring. My son was so taken with Blue Man Group that he built his own tubulum--the PVC marimba-like instrument--and his own drumbone, even though he isn't a percussionist.

The DVD does have some terrific extras, though, including three music videos (one with Dave Matthews and Blue Man Group doing a very creepy version of "Sing Along") and a flip side of the DVD with tracks especially mixed for 5 speaker surround sound. This package is a real treat--I've bought one for my college library, I own one, and I'm getting one each for my son and brother. You should get one, too!

I got tickets for my husband as an early Christmas present, and since he wouldn't want to go alone, for myself too. The show was incredible. This DVD is our souvenier and we were transported in time to the concert when we watched it. My ONLY complaints are that it didn't sound as good as the live show even through a really good stereo system with subwoofer - BUT it was still very good if you like a lot of bass. It seemed the bass was good and the vocals but you don't notice the great guitar work in the background as much. It still sounds great though. My other complaint is that the people at the Texas concert where the DVD was filmed may have gotten ripped off, there is a song on the Complex album (which is phenomenal!!!) called Piano Smasher. It wasn't on the DVD but it is my husband's favorite and we really enjoyed it live. The cover of White Rabbit was also not on the DVD. If they performed it at the Texas concert, then it must have been left off the DVD because of time constraints. There are 5 videos on the DVD. One is with Dave Matthews, same as the vocals on the album. I'm a fan of DMB but my husband is NOT. Peter Moore is the vocalist in the concert and I thought he did a much better job on the song than Dave Matthews did. Peter Moore did many of the songs and he is great. Tracy Bonham was fantastic too. She is a tiny thing with an enormous voice. There is another video called Exhibit 13 that is a haunting tribute to Sept 11. Very nicely done. There are 5 songs on it that are in 5.1 Dolby Digital surround. There will be a re-release in 2004 of the Complex album in 5.1 also. We will be owning that too! This is my favorite concert DVD, for the music, the visual and dancing! My 4 yr old and 8 month old daughters love the music and visual of it. They are the toughest critics too.

I saw the "freeview" of this show on DirectTV, and ordered the DVD based on my enjoyment of that. I did not look closely at the DVD spec.'s when I ordered it, and was rather disappointed upon playing it that it is only viewable in 4:3 screen size (even though it was obviously shot in 16:9) and that the only sound option is Dolby Surround (no 5.1 or DTS digital sound). There are 3 bonus tracks on the flip side in 5.1 sound, but I just find it hard to imagine why anyone would produce a new DVD these days that does not support HDTV presentation and 5.1 or better digital sound.

Other than that, I still really enjoyed the show and feel it's a worthwhile purchase for anyone who enjoys the BMG's creativity, fun, and sense of parody/satire. It is an entertaining show, and some of the music is quite good on its own (i.e.: I can enjoy it without the theatrical elements). Perhaps, if we're lucky, the 3 "bonus" 5.1 audio tracks on the flipside are a precursor to a full-fledged 16:9 video and digital audio "enhanced" DVD-to-come?

Rock Concert Movement #240 - The Amazon.com review of a DVD I have not seen but I know will be great because I have seen the show live twice. Ready - Go.

A rock concert that actually rocks while poking fun at rock concert conventions, this is the DVD release of the Blue Man Group performing their recent "The Complex Tour" live.

The Blue Man Group blast through a powerful set with a backing percussion ensemble that results in a total assualt on the senses. The stage was designed by Marc Brickman, the same guy who has designed Pink Floyd's legendary stage shows, with many Blue Man stage staples thrown in for good measure.

The show has a tongue-in-cheek comedic theme as we are taken through an instuctional how-to video of the rock concert experience. The audience is in on the joke because the joke is on the audience. They disarm you as they lampoon some of the staples of the live concert experience, then they rock you. "The Complex Tour" is as simple as that.

Not a dull moment in the set, with each song standing on it's own merits because they were written with the idea that they would be performed live. There are some technical highlights of the show that are nothing less than amazing. Their cover of "White Rabbit" with Tracy Bonham on vocals is a visual trip. The "Live Wire" segment where the players and some of their instruments appear to take on an animated outline form during Blue Man's Terminator 3 soundtrack single "The Current" blew me away.

The Complex Tour came through St. Louis for the second time last week. Someone on the crew told me this show was shot in Dallas, but the DVD release date was not widely known even to their own touring crew, who will be touring this show through November. That is a pretty quick turnaround for a live show to DVD. Pick it up - you will not be disappointed.

Well, since there were no reviews about the DVD before I ordered it, I was sorta disappointed. I have been wanting to get ahold of a BMG video forever, and when this came out, I felt slighted that they had almost no footage of the cool stuff these guys do onstage. If you're planning to buy this DVD, hoping to see all kinds of stuff flying around, shot into the audience, psychidelic stuff, things hanging from the ceiling, and other crazy stuff like they do, be forewarned. This is basically a rock concert. They have some of their tubes and stuff, but really, it's a rock concert.

Having said that, it was really great. The performance definitely makes it a worthwhile purchase, and as others have said, the band is top-notch. The DVD mix is okay, but it could have been better. It's obvious at some points that some of the stuff isn't live, like the blue guys playing the drumbone- the playing and sliding doesn't completely match the music, kinda like lip-synching. Also, I'm a big 5.1 surround fan, so I was hoping more would be recorded in 5.1, but only 3 songs on the flipside of the DVD were 5.1, and those were videos, not concert footage. There are also some cool DVD extras- both sides of the DVD have stuff on them.