Customer Reviews

Great Big Dvd & CD (W/Dvd)

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Great Big Sea is one of those bands that seems to give more than they get. This DVD/cd package is an example of that.

If you haven't seen this band live (and I was fortunate enough to do so) then this will have to do for you. If you have seen this band live, than you probably already have this DVD!

Buy this and you'll get a ton of GBS value including a GREAT DVD concert. All the songs they perform here are good, but their version of General Taylor is amazing. You'll also get an audio cd of the concert.

The crowd is wildly enthusiastic and it almost seems like every member of the audience is singing along with the band word-for-word. (I would guess all their audiences are enthusiastic like that. When I saw them in early 2006 in Potland Oregon, they were brought back for THREE encores at a sold out show on a Monday night!)

There's also a documentary I haven't watched yet, and a text-based timeline of the band.

My recommendation: buy this (and if GBS comes to your area don't let them get away without seeing them.)

I've been a GBS fan for a number of years and have had the great fortune to see them three times live, once with their original bassist. They've managed to keep their level at its peak since he retired to be with his family. Alan Doyle says it best: "Great Big Sea isn't someone you go to watch, we're something you have to do." Indeed, they get the entire crowd into the performance, encouraging singalongs, "vertical movement" and a huge "kitchen party" as they're called in the Maritimes. This is a show you have to experience in person. Until then, the DVD is an appetizer. Pure fun from start to finish, even the sad songs will bring a smile. The acapella stuff is where they shine even brighter (check out "General Taylor") and the traditional songs like "Mari-Mac" and "The Night Pat Murphy Died" and their million-miles-an-hour version of REM's "End of the World" make them an instant pleasure.
If these guys can't get you smiling and dancing, there's just no hope for you. Seeing them live you'll get a lot more of the audience interaction from Alan and the boys, but seeing this DVD will make you want to be there in person, and when they come around your area...don't pass up the chance to go catch them live!

Great Big Sea is a band comprised of members from small towns in Newfoundland, Canada. They play a Celtic folk/rock style of music - an interesting blend of traditional with contemporary. They simply can't record a song that doesn't lift you up and make you want to dance and sing along! This live performance CD/DVD is outstanding, and I'm not usually a live performance kind of guy. The guitar and other instrumental work is outstanding, the vocals are strong, melodic and harmonious, the drumming is compelling, and the enthusiasm of these guys is truly infectious. Outstanding.

Check out "Rant and Roar" as well; not live, but will make whatever you're doing fun.

While I cannot vouch for the quality of the DVD (my copy being used and the DVD long gone) I have never felt a moment of chagrin for missing it. The music is -that- good.

I was first turned onto Great Big Sea by a friend that adores "piratey" music, and while it's true that GBS fits the genre, they far exceed it's boundaries. They bring a unique quality to traditional songs such as "Old Black Rum" and go beyond the typical Folk Music to re-make "End of the World".

Great Big Sea can best be described as "fun". Even when listening to their sad songs, such as "Boston and St. John's", you still want to smile with the pure joy of listening to them. Their voices are at once soothing and energizing--making you want to dance a jig (even if you don't know how) or curl up in front of a fire.

This is a great First Album to buy if you've never heard GBS--it has more than the average album and some of their most classic and adored songs.

I saw The Great Big Sea, live in concert at their 2005-2006 New Years Eve show in Niagara Falls, Canada. I had never heard of the band until that show, but was excited to buy this cd and feel like I was back at the concert.

This cd is infectious, dance-inducing, fun, and overall just a great cd to listen to. I love their blend of New Foundland and Celtic Folk-Rock music.

Great Big DVD is almost like being at a Great Big Sea concert. As a long time fan, I was thrilled that this DVD was made while Darrell Power was with the band. The original 4 are spectacular together. Gorgeous harmonies, thumping rhythms and rollicking folk tunes. The new setup is great as well, but if you've seen the original four in concert, you know it's not quite the same without Darrell.
The feel of the DVD is not quite like a concert, they've cut out much of the silliness that these guys can get up to on stage. There's a little bit with Alan's goof on 'Jack Hinks', but much of the usual dialogue between him and Sean is sadly missing. They have such fun on stage, it would be great to have it captured on the DVD. The running back and forth and 'vertical movement' is there to enjoy.
The extras are terrific, great interviews with the guys, where you get a sense of their pride in Newfoundland (and it's in them)and the incredible sense of humour they each have.
There's great energy between the band and audience in the concert footage, which recreates the tour shows.
If you've been to a concert, this is a great keepsake of memories, if you haven't been (yet) this is a taste of what to expect.

I have been a fan of Great Big Sea for about 5 years. How does someone in Miami, FL hear about such a band? I met a girl from the Canadian Army, and she just ranted and raved about one of their local bands. I found Rant and Roar in the internation section of Virgin Megastore. I fell in love immediately. Their sound is unique and incredible. The band obviously has a cult following up North, but down here no one has heard of them, due to lack of radio play. Buying the DVD was my first opportunity to see their videos or to experience their live sound. I am impressed at the showmanship and the fact that their voices and music sound the same as they do on a studio album. This is very rare these days. I liked the absolute party atmosphere of their concerts. Maybe one day they will make the airwaves in South Florida so they can become popular enough to tour here. Then I could see "Mari-Mac", "When I'm Up", and "Clearest Indication" live. Until then, I will remain their southernmost fan. Keep up the sound. Awesome buy at a good price.

I fell in love with Great Big Sea over a burned copy of Rant and Roar, and I had to see the DVD. These guys have so much energy! You can tell that they really love performing, and they really connect with their (MASSIVE) audience. I can't believe that they're still relatively unknown in the U.S. After watching it for probably the 5th time over the course of a weekend, I ordered copies for my brother and a friend. If you just can't get enough of Great Big Sea, or want to share the love with a friend, this is a great buy! Especially because you get the CD of the live performance to blare in the car on the way to work. Sing loud!

Watching this dvd only makes me jealous that I am not watching them in person! They are such a high energy, brilliantly amazing band to see!
I've made friends watch the dvd who never understood why I love the band so much-and I've gotten them hooked as well! Now they cannot wait to go to a concert!
If you have not ever seen them in concert this dvd will give you a peek on what you are missing!
A definite buy!

That pretty much says it all. This group is talented, for sure, but more than that, they come across as having achieved that perfect balance between 'wholesome' and 'naughty'...they know how to have a good time, and they make sure their fans have a lot of fun too. The DVD is great -- made me check their touring schedule to see when I could catch them live (April 21, in Northampton, MA). After you've seen the DVD a couple of times, the CD is pretty much the same, except you have to run with the images that are seared on your memory!