The Bridge School Concerts 25th Anniversary Edition (2CD)

Neil Young, The Who | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 24, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Reprise
• ASIN: B005N9EXWO
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  DVD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,648 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

On October 24th, 2011, Reprise Records will release two very special and highly anticipated packages: a three-DVD set and a two-CD collection that feature unique live performances from many of the phenomenal artists who've performed at the beloved Annual Bridge School Benefit Concerts over the past 25 years.

Some of the biggest names in music are included on The Bridge School Benefit Concerts - 25th Anniversary Edition, performing rare, acoustic versions of songs, never heard anywhere else, to benefit The Bridge School, a non-profit, innovative organization educating children with severe speech and physical impairments through the use of augmentative and alternative communication systems and assistive technology. This once-in-a-lifetime collection is sure to become a treasured artifact for generations to come.

Artists featured on the three-DVD set include Bruce Springsteen, Patti Smith, Pearl Jam, David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, The Who, Tom Petty, Simon and Garfunkel, Neil Young and Crazy Horse, and much more. Neil Young organizes the event each year with his wife Pegi Young. A documentary DVD includes "The Bridge School Story," which gives a special look into this wonderful school and the truly phenomenal services they provide children with advanced physical and communication challenges. Another documentary on the DVD, "Backstage At The Bridge School Benefit Concert," offers a bird's-eye view of the event itself, along with special features that include heartfelt interviews with the students and the artists themselves.

The two- CD set features exclusive performances from Sheryl Crow, Thom Yorke, Norah Jones, No Doubt, Willie Nelson, Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews, Sonic Youth, and more.

Bridge School co-founder Pegi Young and Executive Director Dr. Vicki Casella explain: "The success of The Bridge School has been ensured over these many years through the extraordinary generosity of performers, artists and musicians. The funds raised by this benefit have allowed us to have a positive impact on children, families and professionals throughout the world."

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

72 of 75 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Unboxing & First Impressions October 22, 2011

By B. Lockhart

Format:DVD

My preorder off the NY/Warners website just arrived today. Just finished watching the first two of three DVDs, the two devoted to the concert performances themselves. The third, as the Amazon description aptly describes here, is a behind-the-scenes look at the school itself and the parents and kids, all of whom benefit from the proceeds of this purchase. Each performance is introduced by these 'complex' kids, a moving testament itself to the great work done by the Bridge School. You can sense their excitement as they take turns priming us for a string of amazing performances by a mind-blowing lineup of talent.

It's hard to know where to begin. Each incredible performance just whets your appetite for a full-length set, or full concert videos. Highlights abound but surprisingly for me, the songs done by Metallica, Disposable Heroes, and Dave Matthews, Too Much, really stood out. Don't get me wrong. I'm not even an album buying fan of either artist, but their incredible energy made these acoustic performances sizzle. Other artists including Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, and Patti Smith (and of course a 1989 version of 'Crime in the City' by Neil) put on great shows. Bands like The Who, Pearl Jam, R.E.M., The Pretenders, and Brian Wilson's version of the Beach Boys' 'Surfin USA', are great fun to watch. Duets by Emmylou & Buddy Miller, Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings, Elton John & Leon Russell, and of course, Simon & Garfunkel, who do a crazy-ass great version of 'America', are all fine as a superbly aged wine. I'd go on but I'm still letting it all sink in and a second viewing is imminent.

Slam dunk recommendation. Just buy this and/or better still, buy a ticket to the Benefit if you're within striking distance of Mtn. View.... It's an unequivocally good cause and organization and a great venue. Been lucky enough to attend a handful of these over the years, and actually bought this counting on seeing McCartney with Tony Bennett from 2004. Alas, that didn't make the cut, but Paul does a pretty great version of 'Get Back' from that year. Looking forward to getting to the CDs which evidently contain plenty more great tunes in addition to those on the DVDs.

Anyway, just get it. If you've grown up like I have with most of these amazing artists, you'll be completely satisfied. One last note. I watched the DVDs on my home system, (featuring a nice pair of classic mid-70s Advent speakers), and was happy to hear and see that Neil and his 'Because Sound Matters' crew paid strict attention to the 24bit 96kHz audio track. It's, as they state and more, 256 times the resolution of a CD. Going into the 'More' feature of the DVD gets you to the audio info, color bars, and test tone for what that's worth. You also can find menus listing all artists from A to Z as well as lineups from each concert beginning from the Oct. 13th, 1986 benefit to the 2010 show last year.

I don't have a ticket for this coming weekend's shows, but watching this was the next best thing. Enjoy.

10/29 Final Impressions

In a comment left on this review and in other reviews, there has been mention of the 4:3 aspect ratio. A few people are clearly disappointed by this. I must admit that I noticed it and wondered about it for about half a minute. Then I didn't. I even forgot to mention it in my 'first impressions' review. My final impression is that if you care that much about DVD aspect ratio, maybe you should go elsewhere. That would be a shame, though. These performances completely transcend that. They are fantastic and clearly about the school and the work it's doing for the kids. Kudos again to all involved for a heartfelt, job well-done.

p.s. Thanks to Pegi & Neil for the live streaming (16:9 to the best of my recollection, by the way) video this year. For those of us who couldn't go, it was a treat to watch (and know how to donate) from the comforts of home. Read more ›

44 of 48 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Collection of Acoustic Performances! October 25, 2011

By P. M. Bradshaw

Format:Audio CD

I thought the 1997 Bridge School concert album was very, very good. This two CD set is even better!
You get:

Disc 1:
1. Born in the U.S.A. - Bruce Springsteen
2. Too Much - Dave Matthews Band
3. Magic's in the Makeup - No Doubt
4. Gone - Jack Johnson
5. Blue Ridge Mountains - Fleet Foxes
6. Love and Only Love - Neil Young & Crazy Horse
7. Rain on Tin - Sonic Youth
8. Better Man - Pearl Jam
9. The Way it Will Be - Gillian Welch
10. Country Feedback - R.E.M & Neil Young
11. The Great Divide - Willie Nelson
12. Cry Just a Little - Nils Lofgren

Disc 2:
1. Elsewhere - Sarah McLachlan
2. Get Back - Paul McCartney
3. A Dream Come True - Elton John & Leon Russell
4. Marry Song - Band of Horses
5. Disposable Heroes - Metallica
6. After The Gold Rush - Thom Yorke (of Radiohead)
7. The Difficult Kind - Sheryl Crow
8. Maybe This Time - Tony Bennett
9. Déjà Vu - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
10. Jesus, Etc. - Norah Jones
11. I was Dancing in the Lesbian Bar - Jonathan Richman (of the Modern Lovers & There's Something About Mary
12. Surfin' USA - Brian Wilson (of the Beach Boys
13. Won't Get Fooled Again - the Who

Springsteen, McCartney, the Who, Tony Bennett, No Doubt, Pearl Jam, Neil Young (with Crazy Horse and CSNY and REM), Brian Wilson, Jonathan Richman - all great performances! Norah Jones, Sheryl Crow, and Sarah McLachlan are outstanding as well. An excellent collection of excellent acoustic performances. A definite keeper....

If you're unfamiliar with it, the Bridge School Concerts are an annual event set up by Neil Young and his wife to help pay for the programs at the non-profit Bridge School, which helps children with severe speech & physical impairments.

Do yourself (and the kids) a favor. Pick this up today! Read more ›

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars NPR Early Listen of a GREAT Double Album October 23, 2011

By W. J. Hornby

Format:DVD

Thanks to NPR.com and The Bridge School, for the past two hours, I have been listening to the early listen of this extraordinary compilation of the some of the best music and musicians of the past 50 years! The sound quality is magnificent! I attended the M.U.S.E Concert at this venue (Mountain View CA) this past September and some of the songs have the exact acoustical reproduction that puts me back into the arena! I can't wait to see the DVD's Great music, great historical album, and money to a GREAT cause. Buy ten and give them away to friends and relatives and strangers this coming holiday season. Peace

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars I wasn't Disappointed November 28, 2011

By K. C. Cushing

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have long waited for this DVD release and I was pleasantly surprised with both the quality of the sound and the video. I don't believe, and please correct me if I'm wrong, that was Neil's intention to capture these events for future packaging and resale. Given this, the videography was better than I expected and the sound more than adequate. The way the DVD is structured doesn't make this a perfect viewing experience as artists have a single song to perform and the result is somewhat choppy and the performances are a little uneven...These are very small complaints - It's a great cause by a great artist..Buy it and enjoy it yourself...

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding January 8, 2012

By Diane Bonde

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is an outstanding concert DVD. The history of the Bridge School is explored
from its beginning (am amazing story in itself) and interspersed with the amazing concerts that have taken place. The various artists are introduced by the Bridge School students themselves. The human spirit knows no bounds. It's just an A+ DVD.