Customer Reviews

Culture Club: Live in Sydney

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

 

 

This was the last concert known where Helen Terry performed with Culture Club, right before she went to do her own gig. But what really makes it such a gem is that this is the only concert available where we can see Boy George and Helen perform That's The Way (I'm Only Trying to Help You). This song is their best chemistry. As just like A Kiss Across the Ocean, the group performs Melting Pot, a song we never here any more. Grab it! How many times will you see Culture Club perform eight songs from their centerpiece album Colour By Numbers? Thanks for reading!!!

If you're over the age of 25, I'd call you a liar if you said you didn't love Culture Club in their hey-day. Live in Sydney captures the group at the height of their popularity with a fifteen song set that mixes longtime favorites with rare gems. the lighting, performance, and production may not be as slick as the DVDs put out today, but it's Boy George's voice that carries the show. Although it's an average show, it's a perfect slice of eighties pop culture.

I was so excited to see another DVD feat. a live performance of Culture Club after I was very happy with the Kiss Across the Ocean concert from the Greatest Videos release. I was a little disappointed tho. His vocals on the first songs like MISTER MAN are not nearly as solid as Kiss Across the Ocean. He ad-libs many of the lyrics and its kinda annoying. (I wonder how far he was into his drug phase at this time). The band as a whole doesn't seem to gel as nicely as they did during the KATO and there is less interaction between Boy George and they other bandmates, besides Helen Terry. The songs come at a very fast pace and he doesn't really introduce the songs, one after another after another. Next, I do not care for the 1984 long hair with a big bow (or the ugly police cap he's wearing) look compared to the hat and the braids.
There are definately some highlights on this DVD tho. The featurette is short but contains some good footage and interviews. My favorite part has to be "THAT'S THE WAY" (I'M ONLY TRYING TO HELP YOU) number with Helen Terry. They rock the vocals together and it is one of my favorite songs off of Colour By Numbers. Also, the song MELTING POT is a great close to the concert. The play list is also a little better then KATO, and he does a much better job on the vocals on most songs. (esp. VICTIMS. I miss the full ochestra they had on that song on KATO as well.) But I still enjoyed myself!

All in all, it's a must have for any Culture Club fan, if the wardrobe and styling is lacking, Boy George more than makes it up with better vocals. It's worth the price too. Im looking forward to more releases of live Culture Club gigs, and DEFINEATELY A DVD CONTAINING APPEARANCES ON TOP OF THE POPS, AMERICAN BANDSTAND, SOLID GOLD, or any other interviews from the early 80s!

This is Culture Club at the peak of their popularity. All the hits from the first two albums are present and the band are in pretty good form. George was never a strong voaclist live but he manages to get by on stage presence and personality as much as anything else.

The reason the banter is at a minimum is that this was filmed for (and broadcast live) on Australian television back in - whatever year it was - God I feel old! There was not time for too much banter. There were songs to be sung and and advertising to be squeezed in - although this is not included in the DVD naturally.

Fans will have no reason to complain.

I purchased this DVD because this concert was the first ever concert I attended as a 15 year old. It's in my collection for reasons of nostalgia, rather than musical reasons.
It's like looking at old photos. Mikey Craig's hair should have it's own credit and Helen Terry was Culture Club's secret weapon for three albums.

I just finished watching this DVD. Ahhhh, what fun, being transported back to when I was 12 or there about.
If you liked Culture Club when you were growing up or have become a fan since then, this is worth having.
The concert was taped in Australia, and is a mirrored image of what was going on at the time in the USA.
Culture Club mania! If you enjoyed "A KISS ACROSS THE OCEAN" you will love this just as much. (George
has three costume changes) It's everything I remember, and so glad the powers that be decided to release
it on DVD I think you will be too. This should be put in a time capsule so future generations can see that
once upon a time we had an open mind and heart. Looking at this today, it's hard to believe the Boy ever
existed,especially at the this level. This could easily be viewed/studied in college classrooms as to how it happened.
I could write a paper about all the theories, instead I'll just let you see for yourself.

This is an absolutely excellent dvd for anyone that loves THE BOY and CC. It takes you back in time, plus its an excellent coverage of the concert,so.....anyone that missed it.....Get IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Of course when I saw there was another DVD of my band, I was smiling from ear to ear. Even though this concert was over 20 years ago, I still loved seeing Boy, Jon, Roy and Mikey in action singing those old tunes that Culture Club fans remember until this day. But as I watched, I thought that they were in a hurry, zipping through all the songs with little introduction and they didn't seem to engage with the audience as much as in KATO and even in their 20th anniversary at the Royal Albert Hall (which was awesome!) The Boy still looks good in this one and always will - even if he's old and bald now!! Another tidbit in the DVD was the featurette which was disappointing in my humble opinion. I expected an interview with the band just like in The Greatest Hits and Royal Albert Hall DVDs but all there was were images of them, which I've seen a million times, someone narrating, saying what I already knew and very very brief comments from George, Jon and Roy only, where was Mikey? I was left wanting more but anyway this is a good memory of Culture Club to have if you're a fan. I'll be waiting on more DVDs to pop up along the way, hopefully some with more interviews rather than just a show. They have voices not only to sing, they have something to say too!!!

In spite of all Boy George's troubles, I am a loyal fan of his. I thought this DVD was great! I just wish he could tour here in Dallas, TX again!?!?!? Boy's made a few mistakes, haven't we all, which I don't judge, but he has a special talent when it comes to music and I abolutely love it!!