Customer Reviews

Elvis Costello: Spectacle - Season One [Blu-ray]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This series as broadcast on Sundance Channel is an outstanding Master class on music itself. The broad range of the discussions, histories and looks at the real personalities of the artists being interviewed are truly amazing and highly entertaining as well as informative. We've watched every episode and throughly enjoyed them. What "In the Actor's Studio" does for that craft, this series does for music. Along with the promise of additional footage that was cut to make the show fit into the broadcast timeframe, we are looking forward to receiving this into our collection.

Ordered both the DVD and blu-ray versions of this after downloading a couple episodes from i-tunes. If you are interested in popular music, songwriting, and musicians--this is a good choice. If you just want videotaped performances, look elsewhere. Elvis Costello, who I never really listened to in his prime, is very knowledgeable and a pretty good interviewer. Episodes usually start out with Elvis and some musicians doing one of the artists songs. There may be a song or two mixed in with the interview and it usually wraps with Elvis doing a song or two with the guest (though not always one of the guests songs). Some of the performances end up being rather interesting--Elvis and The Police doing Purple Haze. The blu-ray was supposed to arrive first and the DVD was to be a gift, but the DVD came first so it became a gently-used gift. Both versions have 5.1 sound, but the DTS version on the blu-ray sounds slightly better--more depth in the mid-ranges. I do wish that they had included more bonus features in the package. There are, for example, a number of behind the scenes clips online that are not on the DVDs. Also, someone should have removed the zoom button from the cameras used for some of the bonus interviews as the camera person got carried away. It did take me more than a few minutes to figure out how to remove the discs from the packaging.

I love this series. I love the simplicity of the concept. One of my musical heroes interviewing many other music giants with the sole purpose of providing the audience a deeper insight than one would normally get from spot interviewers.

I won't go into the details of the show, that has been reviewed before. I just wanted to clarify something regarding the extras. When I read there were bonus interviews included, I was extremely excited. Last year when Elvis discussed the making of the show and some of the unfortunate edits that went into the process of cutting a show down to an hour long, he specifically referenced having to snip FOUR OR FIVE MINUTES from Smokey Robinson's response to the writing process for "Just My Soul Responding". I thought for sure this release would take advantage of not having this time restraint and add that footage (as well as for other artists) back in. And when I read there were bonus interviews, I figured that was what was going on.

But the additional interviews are actually just that. Additional interviews that weren't conducted by Elvis as part of the show. Not that there's anything wrong with including these either, they are a welcome addition. But if the time restraints have been lifted, why not put additional material back into the extras as well? Isn't that supposed to be one of the biggest perks for nerds like me who want to hear it all?

That being said, this is a wonderful series. I believe Elvis stated that Season 2 would be his last, and that's really unfortunate. There are so many other great artists I would love to see interviewed in this format.

There are also four complete bonus songs as well, including the full version of Elton's Ballad of a Well Known Gun with James burton playing lead. The stuff of dreams.....

Alas, we must be happy with what we have here.

This is an intelligent music show where one professional musician interviews others.

The first episode I watched on recieving the set was the Diana Krall one, who is interviewed by Elton John rather than Elvis Costello. She talked movingly about her friendship with Oscar Peterson, in the last five years of his life, as well as her love for many kinds of music. She also played some swinging Jazz Piano. Elton interviewed her from the side of the Piano loving every moment of it.

Elvis Costello may have started as part of the post punk new wave movement, but has matured into a musician who can do it all. In general he gets more out of the guests than any normal talk-show host would. As well as interviews there are also some fabulous musical collaborations. Watching the Elton John interview last night it was amazing to see Allen Toussaint on Hammond organ and James Burton on guitar in the backing band as Elvis and Elton sang a David Ackles song.

Other guests include The Police, James Taylor, Herbie Hancock, Pat Methany, Tony Bennett, Rufus Wainwright and Ex-President Bill Clinton.

In the UK this is on 5 DVD's with a total running time of 650 minutes, so although the price may look expensive it is actually good value for money. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Elvis Costello has been a hero for nearly thirty years and I am delighted to see him interact with some great artists. The show is dead brilliant.

The deeply odd packaging, with tiny moving plastic pieces that broke immediately, was a misstep on the production end, but the content far outweighs the minor irritation of attempting to extract the discs.

I am very happy that this program exists.

Ordered both the blu-ray and DVD versions of this after downloading a couple episodes from i-tunes. If you are interested in popular music, songwriting, and musicians--this is a good choice. If you just want videotaped performances, look elsewhere. Elvis Costello, who I never really listened to in his prime, is very knowledgeable and a pretty good interviewer. Episodes usually start out with Elvis and some musicians doing one of the artists songs. There may be a song or two mixed in with the interview and it usually wraps with Elvis doing a song or two with the guest (though not always one of the guests songs). Some of the performances end up being rather interesting--Elvis and The Police doing Purple Haze. The blu-ray was supposed to arrive first and the DVD was to be a gift, but the DVD came first so it became a gently-used gift. Both versions have 5.1 sound, but the DTS version on the blu-ray sounds slightly better--more depth in the mid-ranges. I do wish that they had included more bonus features in the package. There are, for example, a number of behind the scenes clips online that are not on the DVDs. Also, someone should have removed the zoom button from the cameras used for some of the bonus interviews as the camera person got carried away. Upon arrival, one of the discs didn't play. It worked after a good cleaning. It did take me more than a few minutes to figure out how to remove the discs from the packaging.

Who'd have thought that the once rather arrogant and, dare I say, self important Elvis Costello could be responsible for some of the best interviews i've ever seen with musicians, songwriters and even the odd president. All celebrating the vast tapestry of quality music past and present this is one music fan talking with passion to other music fans in a manner that never fails to entertain. But fascinating as these interviews are, the musical collaborations [such as Elvis performing with Elton John on a version of David Ackles' 'Down River'] save the series form ever slipping into self indulgent chuminess or anything remotely similar.
Roll on series 2.

You should look into getting this if you are very interested in music history, details of music production, etc. The interviews that Elvis Costello gives are quite detailed and interesting, but they would be VERY dry for a viewer that isn't interested in that kind of subject matter. Also take a look at the guest list for the season to make sure you are interested in the guests. They are listed in the description above.

An example episode with a single guest, like Elton John:
1)Elvis Costello plays a song of some sort, not necessarily his or his guests, but typically thematically relevant
2)Introduces the guest
3)Interview, talking about how the guest got started, why they were interested in music, their influences, etc.
4)Possible clips from some of the artists they were interested in.
5)Maybe a song with the guest.
6)More interview.
7)Maybe another song.
8)You get the idea...

The format changes slightly if he has multiple guests on at the same time.

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In terms of visual and audio quality, this blu ray is top notch. I haven't noticed any problems and everything looks and sounds great.

This is getting 4 stars from me because I love Elvis Costello, and I enjoy most of his guests from this season, but it still got a bit dry for me sometimes as someone who isn't as involved in music as he and his guests are.

Best Show On TV And Great DVD / BLU-RAY Set.

Would have been 5 stars (material) but the case sucks !
Discs come loose - must be slid in over other discs - be very careful super easy to scratch and even CRACK Discs.

Change it for Season 2 please !

On one episode, there is actually an interview with President William Jefferson Clinton. The President talks about his passion for music and its influence on his life. Not everyone knows that a long time ago, he was a most promising talent and was seriously considering a career in music. He, of course, chose a different path and destiny. This is a must see interview and an opportunity to see the President's wonderful musical gift. It's nice to see a different side to the President's many different achievements.

Whom else could you ever want to see and hear? Other great guests include Sir Elton John, Smokey Robinson, John Mellencamp, The Police, and Tony Bennett.

P.S. Don't forget to order Season 2. It includes Sheryl Crow, Bruce Springsteen, and Bono.