Customer Reviews

Dead Can Dance - Toward the Within [VHS]

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I went to see DCD with my partner when they came here on October 4th of this year (my birthday). We sat so far from the stage, it was hard to see Brendan, Lisa and the entourage, because they were so small and we were so high up in the rafters. If it hadn't been for the DCD website and Lisa's website, I wouldn't know what the duo look like. So...getting back to the DVD...I always had the CD somewhere in my music collection. The music was just 'okay' on the CD, because I couldn't see DCD performing. But now that I own the DVD of the concert, it's so pleasing to watch & listen at the same time. Obviously, the band puts a lot of effort into their performances, coming up with a sound so similar to the studio recording, it's incredible.

Yes, it's true...the picture is a bit fuzzy, but so what? For the price I paid for the DVD, I'm more than happy for buying it. And, the DVD plays on both my computer and TV DVD players. The sound is great and there's little distortion. My only gripe regarding the item is due to the editing of 'Yulunga' and 'The Carnival is Over' from the live setlist. Why did they have to cut out those 2 fantastic tracks? Darn! Oh well, that's what you get when they give you 5 bonus tracks to watch instead. Not bad, but it would've been nicer to see those 2 extra tracks live. It is nice to have 'The Host of Seraphim' on this collection, because it's one of my fave songs of DCD.

Customer note:
- There are 2 editions of this DVD, depending on when it was made.
- Early edition was released in a hard plastic, slimline jewel-case DVD case.
- Re-released in an amray case (standard 'fat' DVD box).
- Amray case comes with just the front & back insert (1 piece) without any booklet.
- Additional performances are NOT live performances. They are MTV videos.

The amray case edition is the one I have. It's obvious the DVD was re-released. When I bought the DVD, I thought it would come in the slimline jewel case. What i'd like to know is...did the original have a booklet? Lisa Gerrard and Brendan Perry are cool, intelligent musicians with a God-Given talent. I love the little interview snippets between performances. Lisa is pretty and her voice doesn't match the face. Everyone I've played DCD to, says the same thing, and it was amazing to watch the DVD for the first time, right from my computer.

Tracklist:
01- Opening Credits
02- Rakim
03- Song of the Sibyl
04- I Can See Now
05- American Dreaming
06- Cantara
07- The Wind That Shakes The Barley
08- I Am Stretched On Your Grave
09- Desert Song
10- Oman
11- Gloridean
12- Tristan
13- Sanvean
14- Don't Fade Away
Additional performances:
15- The Carnival Is Over
16- The Host Of Seraphim
17- Yulunga (Spirit Dance)
18- Frontier
19- The Protagonist

Hopefully DCD will release more live concert DVDs in the near future. I've already purchased "Nierika" on DVD from the October 4th performance in Montreal. That show was an excellent birthday gift. Perhaps if DCD read the reviews on amazon, they would sell the DVDs commercially. But then again, that's wishful thinking.

This video is NOT for those of the MTV generation who believe that a song must be accompanied by a "music video." In this video you find yourself front row and behind the sounds of one of the most enigmatic and fantastic bands in recent history. From Lisa Gerrard's hauntingly rich, honeyed voice to Brendan Perry's smoky, powerful ballads, A true fan of music will appreciate this video. Dead Can Dance has a mysterious and unique blend of sounds form India, Asia, the Western world, and Tribal influences from around the globe that leave the listener enveloped, invigorated and in a complete state of awe. This video also takes us behind the scenes to whence the influences have come and personal insights into the sounds that can only have come from a band of this calibre.

dead can dance were an amazing band. chances are if you are looking to buy this dvd, you already know that.

this dvd is made up mostly of a film of DCD's live album "toward the within", recorded at the mayfair theatre in santa monica california. it had been available for some time now on VHS, but i'm very pleased that they upgraded the format. the performance itself is beautiful. transcendent, otherworldly, ethereal. these words have all been used to describe DCD's music, and in particular, lisa gerrard's voice. and they are all correct. lisa gerrard's voice is at once human and angelic. i wept (sanvean) and i swooned (don't fade away). you will also. buy this dvd at once. don't let their musical legacy fade into the shadows of time. you wont be sorry.

the dvd also contains a handful of their videos, the best, in my opinion, being 'frontier' previously only available on 4ad's "lonely is an eyesore" video comp. i've heard that it's the first DCD song ever recorded, and it really takes your breath away with it's tribal rhythms, and lisa's warbling voice. another standout video is 'the host of the seraphim' which is comprised of footage from mark magidson's critically acclaimed film Baraka (...).

I have had the great fortune of seeing Dead can Dance perform live in Boston twice. They have a musical ability that transcends this earth. There is a haunting and rhythmic ebb and flow to their music, seemingly closely linked to moons and the earth.

I would recommed the video as well as any of their CD's. Prepare to be transfixed and transformed!

James West, Charlotte, NC, USA

This program opens with an amazing film that celebrates the creation of the world and its people. There's nothing in this film that you haven't seen before - time lapses of clouds, aerial films of smoldering volcanos, a waterfall pouring into a rainbow, natives dancing, and dervishes whirling - but the composition of the images, and Lisa Gerard's haunting performance of "Yulunga," make this opening seven minutes of eternal bliss.

The rest is concert footage and interviews. Most of the band is unremarkable; the band looks like they've strolled in for a few beers and stuck around to make some music. But Gerard radiates power when she sings; you cannot help but worship her, she looks like a glowing white Athena and her voice is the call of Kali.

Especially when she sings in her own language, and there are no understandable words to disturb the left hemisphere of your brain. Gerard's sparing facial expressions are like drops of water passing over marble. The slow changes to her lips and her eyes are all you need to understand well enough what she is singing about.

The interview footage comes, really, as a needed break from all the holiness of the music. The two singers seem then to be quite ordinary, and if truth be known, full of it - to explain any kind of inspiration, you can only make up a story that is somewhere around the truth. But the music defies, and does not need, any explanation.

I saw this video at a local movie theatre. I had only heard one song by DCD and figured it would be an interesting Friday night. I remember thinking throughout the whole show, "What the heck is that instrument? Oh my gosh, that sounds awesome! " The music moves you, the live footage brings it to life and when it is all over, you find yourself yearning to experience it again. This is a definate must have.

I've been a long time fan of Dead Can Dance and had the privilage to actually be at the filming of this video shot at a small theatre in Santa Monica, California. The Video is definitely the next best thing to being there. Finally the talent behind this band is unmasked for all to enjoy and if your a true music lover, also respect. I highly reccomend this video if your curious to see the force behind such beautiful music.

This 'live album would be the one I'd introduce a friend to Dead Can Dance. If you already know how close they can take you, strong emotions might pop up during some Gerard's performances! Even if you can't appreciate their style you have to admit they're good.

It's true the sound quality is dissapointing, hence only 4 stars. Why on Earth produce a DVD of the most profound musical act ever without making the sound as good as a cd? So we must forgive that and listen beyond the poor quality barrier. We are nevertheless thrilled to have bought it, and it is them, and they are as wonderfull to watch as they are to hear. There are interviews with Brendan and Lisa between songs that give insight into the songs and themselves. Brendan's brother is in there, and a really wild drummer! It's powerfull and poinient stuff. It would also make a great introduction to the band. Maybe one day they'll redo the sound. Don't worry about the PAL rating, it's an all regions DVD, which is clever. The Protagonist video is also very nice.

Toward The Within is the high point of Dead Can Dance's catalog, IMHO. I discovered DCD from this video. Discovered is an understatement. It was more like knocked on my backside by a bolt of lightning.

I have not heard anything like this mixture of music before or since. This band would be equally at home in ancient Egypt, on Babylon 5, or in Vahalla. The way they weave Celtic, Germanic, Turkish, Egyptian, African, and who knows what other influences and instruments with synthesizers and electric bass is unique beyond verbal description.

Lisa Girrard's voice is unbelievable. The video is wonderful because they do closeups while she is singing, and it is quite powerful to see her actually producing these sounds. Her voice is like one would imagine a valkyrie - the power of a tsunami with the delicacy of a hummingbird all at the same time. When you hear some female singers, like Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Enya, etc., you see goddess archetypes like Diana or Isis. With Lisa it is more like Kali. This is feminine energy, but it hits you like a freight train in the chest. Which is not to say it is harsh or ragged. Quite the contrary, she exhibits a control over her voice that is remarkable. She weaves soft Celtic lilting notes with deep, powerful tones, modulated by a Turkish or Berber-style vibrato that is amazing. Think German opera blended with belly dancing music and you will be in the ballpark, although that description really misses the true power and beauty of the songs. This is a woman who makes you feel the goddess in your gut as well as your heart, like Ann Wilson, Tina Turner, Janis Joplin, etc., but with a decidedly surreal twist. Lisa often sings in a language she creates herself, which adds to the mystique of their music. In some ways, she reminds me of Nina Hagen, although Hagen went from opera to more average punk rock. The power and control of their voices feels similar to me. (Your mileage may vary.)

I don't care for the more traditional folksongs, although they are very well done. The quality of the other musicians is superb, and again, watching them in the video gives you an added perspective to the way all the different influences weave together. I love the way the drummer, Ronan, runs in place in time with the music. This man lives his percussion!

If you like world music with a heavy touch of other-worldliness, try out this video. It is not for the faint of heart or those who like common, run-of-the-mill music of any flavor. This is very different stuff indeed.