Customer Reviews

Everything But the Girl: Like the Deserts Miss the Rain

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

 

 

For me, ebtg can not do wrong. Well, except for this dvd. They could have added more of their earlier videos on this dvd. I own what I believe to be their first video compilation, released in the early nineties. This tape included videos for "When Alèl's Well," "Take Me," "Mine," etc... They could have added them all. They've included enough early work, why not complete the series? And how about interviews or a documentary? I was just expecting so much more because I have been waiting so long for this dvd--I have been a fan since they have started.

Oh well, don't get me wrong. This dvd is still worth getting. I am now glad to have all of their new videos, it goes along well with my first ebtg video collection.

They are one of the best bands ever!!!

although the artwork on this dvd matches the greatest hits cd released a few years ago, the tracklisting is quite different. this features about 11 music videos, 1 video where you can change the footage shown by using the camera angle settings on your DVD remote, 3 live tracks, and 3 photo slideshows w/ demos playing.

the music videos vary in quality, and only a few of them are really great. most look pretty low-budget and just feature tracy and ben singing and playing and some walking around the city scenes, but a few of them (particularly "walking wounded") stand out. (on the other hand, the video for "temperamental" is particularly bad.) the 3 live tracks are pretty straightforward, although tracey's style is better-suited to a laid-back, lounge-y atmosphere than a concert. still, the two look great and ben does some nice things w/ samples of tracey's vocals on the live version of "temperamental". for me the three demos were the highlights of this collection. and i hate to admit it, but i think i prefer the demo of "flipside" to the album version. that demo includes alternate lyrics which is very cool.

all in all a good, although pretty straightforward release. it would've been nice to have some interviews, but the dvd fits ebtg's personality: chill and laid-back. a good look at their career, and a nice reminder of some of their earlier work. good for newbies and long-time fans.

What can one say about EBTG??
They have a career than spuns for over 20 years now, and although they are now taking a break, (since 99) in the DVD you can find some of their greatest successes like (of course!!)the multi-platinum Missing(Todd Terry Remix), Single, Walking Wounded, Five Fathoms, Temperamental and many more that changed forever the face of new-age, bossa nuova, jazz, and later on the face of electronic-trip-hop music.
Also, except for these videos you can also find live performances, like Protection, and a few rare pictures of EBTG, accompanied by unpublished songs or unpublished versions of their biggest hits.
Last but not least, you are given the chance to bring together four videos to make your own version of a video for a special remix of Temperamental.

Peace and love to the girl for keeping it alive and true for so long.
Love you,and waiting for your new material!!!!

This DVD includes some very interesting stuff, such as the live performance footage, and a few select videos from their last couple of releases. Unfortunately that's really all there is. I would have much prefered to wait until they could put together a truly comprehensive package which would logically include many more additional music videos as well as doco/interview footage. Good if you really want to see EBTG in action, but overall a disappointment.

For some reason, many nights I suffer from insomnia. There isn't much to do, so I just run DVDs all night long hoping, that Morpheus will eventually take hold and guide me off to 'Dreamsville'. On those nights one of my favorites to put in the old DVD player is the video music collection, "Like the Deserts Miss the Rain" by 'Everything But the Girl'.

For those who don't know, 'Everything But the Girl' is made up of the creative music duo of Ben Watt & Tracey Thorn. For over twenty years they have produced an ever changing, chameleon-like sound, that has covered everything from folk, pop, cool jazz, to electronica/dance music. Their song writing is just superb and is a brilliant frame-work for Tracey's amazing voice. When I originally got into 'ETBTG', years ago, I was originally attracted to their more folk-based leanings. The first CD I ever bought of their's, "Acoustic" still holds a special place in my music collection. But between "Like the Deserts Miss the Rain" and the "Adapt or Die" remix collection, I feel like my eyes have been opened and now I'm totally into their Electronica/Dance oriented music. The CD, "Tempermental", has now become a real favorite of mine.

So why do I like this video collection so much? What would make me want to run it over and over again? Well this collection offers a little bit everything. I have no ideal if this is every video that 'ETBTG' has ever produced, but this collection presents us with 9 videos, that span their career.The videos vary in quality. Some are fantastic, others are adaquate and one or two border on silly. If I had to pick my favorite video from the bunch it would have to be "Tempermental". It starts off with a spoken-word intro from some Hollywood Type (maybe a Producer?) describing what he wants for a particular role be casted. Tracey & Ben's wonderful beats and singing start and we follow (in speeded up fast action) a young, teenage girl's day from early morning to late night as she goes on an endless series of 'cattle call' auditions in the entertainment field. By the end of the video the same Producer is describing a different "type" of girl that he wants. I guess the teen's auditions were for nothing. I love the music and it seems to perfectly match the wonderful visuals (Directed by Mike Mills). There is so much detail packed into this video, that you could watch it over and over and pick out something new everytime!

There are other great videos in this collection. They include "Five Fathoms" (the look of it reminds me a little of Sofia Coppola's "Lost in Translation"), "Missing" which includes lots of shots of Ben & Tracey wandering London(?) and "Single", which is pretty darn weird with that 'bendy guy', but I love it!

Besides the intial videos there are also other features. We are treated to 3 selections ("Before Today", "Tempermental" and "Protection") from some live 1999 London shows. Since the group seems to be in 'retirement', I guess this is the closest I'll get to seeing them live.

Also included is an interactive video mix. In this nifty feature, the viewer gets to take pull's 'Timewarp mix' of "Tempermental" and apply it to 4 different visuals of your choice. I love to use this feature when I'm particularly bleary eyed. My favorite is the one that features kids playing in the park in slo-mo. It so fits the music!

Finally the collection also offers up audio of a few demos ("Frozen River", "Mirrorball", "Flipside") and a photo-slide production of rare pictures of the group from their early days. This collection gives you a little bit of everything. I have been able to watch it multiple times and I never seem to get bored. The music is great and visuals are fantastic! If your a fan of 'ETBTG' I would highly recommend "Like the Deserts Miss the Rain".

I have had this dvd for three days and I am afraid that I may have already worn in out. I can't even explain how much I love this work. They used to come to Orlando every yr and play in a night club. Don't think I wasn't there every time. They are timeless. Tracy is #1, they are a great match. The quality of the film and the sound is outstanding.