Customer Reviews

A-Ha - Live at Vallhall - Homecoming

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the first time that a-ha releases a full concert on DVD. It was the final concert of the Minor Earth Major Tour in Oslo, and the crowd was composed from fans from every corner of the planet. Some came from as far away as Japan and Brazil.

Four types of people should get this DVD.

One, the fans who are following the band since their beginnings, or even more recently - because if they have been to any show of the tour they will enjoy the memories and if they have not, it will give them an idea of how it felt.

Two, the fans who liked them in the 80's and lost track after that - because they will be filled in about what they missed in the bonus features and get some of their favourite songs in a brand new live version.

Three, those who believe MTV and VH1 when they call a-ha 'one-hit wonders' - they will get the facts right in the bonus features.

Four, people who do not know a-ha yet and enjoy good pop-rock music with well-written lyrics and real sense of melody - because this is what a-ha is about.

I was in the crowd at that concert, and I loved every minute of it. Getting to live it again with this DVD is a real treat. If Magne is the most talkative, Paul is obviously enjoying himself playing guitar (he rocks) and singing backing vocals. He is keeping an eye on everyone on stage. Morten has the difficult task to pull out some often very demanding songs until the end. I still think singing "Summer Moved On" at the end of a concert is suicidal, but he seems to go through it without problem. The backing band is doing a great job and the graceful Anelli Drecker (from the Norwegian band Bel Canto) brings a welcome feminine presence on stage.

The track list is a mix of old and new songs. There are the crowd pleasers: the inevitable "Take On Me", "Hunting High and Low" (listen to the crowd singing), "The Living Daylights", "The sun always shines on TV" and "Manhattan Skyline" to name but a few. The new songs are much more alive than in the studio version thanks to the band rockier sound: "Minor earth major Sky", "The sun never shone that day", the nice ballad "You'll never get over me".... Only sad note: the second encore "Angel" was cut from the DVD. My personal highlights: the 'unplugged' part of the concert, with piano/guitar/voice versions of "Stay On These Roads" or "Crying in the rain" and the wonderful "Mary Ellen Makes The Moment Counts" and Anneli's entry on "I wish I cared" with the little game between Morten and her.

The bonus features are a goldmine. The 4 videos of the Minor Earth album are included. There is a long interview of the three guys and informative individual reports about their whereabouts during the 7 years of separation (including the videos for Magne "Dragonfly" and Savoy "Star"). You also get an acoustic set recorded for Norwegian TV in honour of a Norwegian charity. There is a short 'backstage' feature, and a small report 'in the bus'. You will get a short glimpse of the atmosphere at the 'a-ha fan party' that followed the concert and a 'facts sheet' with biography and career summary.

Do not miss the live album, "How Can I sleep with your voice in my head", released on March 24, 2003 (make sure you get the 2 CDs set version including a video track). It will document the "Lifelines" tour. Now we're ready for the next step... and for a new studio album in 2004?

It is nothing short of a crime that a-ha are not the stars in the U.S. that they continue to be in all of Europe. I guess we have Warner Music to thank for that. This is a band that improves with every album they release. This DVD, their live comeback after a 7-year hiatus, is a crowning acheivement. It shows just how far they've come from the relatively empty-headed synth-pop song "Take On Me," that is unfortunately all most Americans know about them. The concert, in support of MINOR EARTH MAJOR SKY, is beautifully staged and shot. The sound quality is pristine, especially if you have a 5.1 system. Wow. The band is aging well (all in their early 40's), and the re-workings of older songs are pulled off flawlessly. Expect more guitars than synthesizers, and not a drum machine in sight. The DVD is packed with great extras, including four videos from MINOR EARTH.... There are also extensive interviews, backstage footage, and a bonus live performance. Worth every penny you'll spend on it. P.S. Morten can still hit those high notes. I'd like to hear any flavor-of-the-month pop star try to compete.

This DVD A-ha live at Vallhall (HOMECOMING) wasn't
the easiest to find. I found a USA non-PAL format
finally and this disk is loaded with extra's.
Great live concert of the 2000 "Minor Earth Major Sky"
tour peformed in their native Norway Spring 2001.
Great sounding, many older favorites mixed with their new
songs and sound. Very enjoyable group, adult songs played
with their usual class and no frills adds up to a better than
average pop concert. Nice lighting not overdone. What I

think makes this whole DVD worth the price is the 4 videos
from "Minor Earth Major Sky", especially enjoyed the "Velvet"
clip, disturbing in a macabre way but its nice to see A-ha not
take itself so seriously, thats what I like most about getting
to know the years I'd missed when the USA decided to pull the
plug on these talented outfit after their late 1980's 2nd collection. Great to have them back performing. Also, live interviews mixed with what A-ha members (side solo projects)
have been doing from (1994'-2000)when they went their own ways.
They are making their best music now and look forward to them
changeing their minds and come back to the states for some shows.

One of the most successful pop groups of the past two decades return to the U.S. as Music Video Distributors unleases a-ha Homecoming Live at Vallhall to buy on DVD. Having completed a successful tour of Japan and Europe in 2000, a-ha returned to their native Norway for two sell-out shows at Oslo's new football arena; Vallhall. This DVD is a recording of the sensational first night on March 24, 2001. Drawing on their six previous studio albums `Homecoming' features a-ha's biggest and best loved hits including, `The Sun Always Shines On TV', `Hunting High and Low', James Bond theme `The Living Daylights' and ending on their breakthrough `Take On Me'. The concert also brings us up to date with several more reflective and personal tracks from their critically acclaimed, highly successful album, `Minor Earth Major Sky' (2000).

I was in 9th grade when a-ha toured in the U.S. and my parents would not let me go to the show. My dad said I could see them the next time they came. Well, they never did and now thanks to this DVD, I feel as if I finally got the chance to see them. The extra features are great too, but it's the concert that really is the hightlight of the DVD.

This concert is amazing! It has tons of energy, an amazing set, and yet is calming in a way. I have showed it to many of my friends and now they own it too. It has become a ritual that when I have stressful day at work, I come home and pop in this DVD and just close my eyes and listen. I have a lineup of songs that just takes the stress away. It is so amazing. I am also very impressed with Anneli Drecker. After watching this DVD, I purchased some of her work with Bel Canto. It is definitely different, but I really enjoy her work on Magic Box and Shimmering Warm and Bright. She has an amazing voice. As a side note, she is one of the judges this year on Norwegian Idol. She is kind of like the Paula Abdul judge. She is very talented.
Morten's voice is fantastic. In Summer Moved On, he holds a note for 8 measures and, without missing a beat, he moves into another note for a couple of measures. He truly is an artist. But it doesn't end with the singers. I could watch Pal play the guitar for hours. He is so laid-back and smooth and yet he can be very aggressive. I love the harder sound almost as much as the ballads. Mags is also an important part of the trio. He creates amazing works of art (which you can view in one of the extras on the DVD) he can sing, play the guitar, and I love listening to him play the piano. The combination of Mags, Morten, Pal, and Anneli is an experience that you just have to see to believe. The dynamics of the group is unbelievable. You just can't find this kind of quality in most musicians. I seriously have watched this DVD over 1000 times and I don't get sick of it. In fact, I just ordered another one just in case something happens to mine (from overplaying). Buy it and be amazed. A-ha is way more than just Take on Me...
FYI: I recently read that A-ha signed with UNIVERSAL and is planning a new album in 2005 and a world Tour. USA is included in the tour. At last we have a second chance to prove that we have good taste in this country! Be on the lookout for the album and the tour!

This dvd puts the emphasis on a-ha the band - not the video pretty boys. There are not a lot of special effects or theatrical visuals in this concert. Instead the concert showcases how well the band plays together (they're not just a studio creation). Morten Harket's voice is terrific - he's on key and he has an amazing range...almost operatic. What a sweet voice..just beautiful. Their music translates very well live too - they have evolved from being a synth band to a much warmer natural sound...drums, guitars, strings.

Though a-ha continues to make great new music (check out "Lifelines"), "Take on Me" at the end of the concert is a highlight for me. They seem to really enjoy playing it still. It sounds great live. They look like they're having fun, everyone is smiling. That is not an easy song to sing, and Morten does a great job. The band just let's loose and you can feel the energy pick up. It's a great moment.

One thing though, Morten needs to leave the sound device in his ear alone. It is really distracting - at times I thought he was going to stick his whole arm up his ear.

P.S. check out their latest live cd "how can I sleep with your voice in my head" - it's great.

Coming out with a DVD of their historical come-back concert is one of the second best things since a-ha were formed in the 80s. This DVD is wonderfully edited and contains a lot of additional stuff. What I really liked were the 4 videos from the MEMS album, the 7 year itch describing the things these guys did while they stayed apart, and the interview with the band members included in this DVD.

I was thrilled to see the 'Dragonfly' video in the '7 year itch' section. It is a wonderful piece by Magne and I'm glad that I can watch it anytime. The concert is wonderful and I loved the way they played their songs and made them sound different yet as amazing and as entertaining as the originals! These guys have proved themselves to be a great live band.

Seeing this DVD makes you crave for more of A-ha. You will want to watch this DVD time and again. I end up watching bits and pieces of it almost daily.

I am glad its finally out in the USA and am waiting for them to release their latest stuff out here soon. I also wish they come up with more DVDs covering their latest Lifelines tour as well as a DVD containing all the videos they have made so far. Those would be great buys and cherished items!

I was just a little kid when "Take On Me" hit the airwaves, I remember it and their cutting edge video so well. And just as suddenly, about 2 1/2 years ago I was watching a show on VH-1 called Top 100 One Hit Wonders and was shocked to find out that they never had another hit in the US but stayed on the charts consistently in Europe. And just like that, a new door was opened. Had it not been for that little 3 minutes of footage, who knows what I would be doing today?

People think I'm crazy for liking an "80s band" so much, when my tastes are otherwise. They say "What, you like big hair and day glo and all that shmaltz? PL-EEASE." If you think so too, you just don't get it. They've since changed their wardrobe (and you have too! Don't deny it!) and toned down their hair. Pop this in your player and all doubts will be erased about their 80s fluff.

This was the first of many a-ha things I collected, everytime it amazes me. It's not cheesy pop music, it's artsy and really about musicianship. Sure, they're cute pinup boys and used that to their advantage (and I still have their posters everywhere in my house and on my desk at work - tee hee!), but listen to the music and it goes much deeper than that. This is genuine, they have integrity, and they write great songs. The special features are also great as they give you insights into their inspirations and how they aged like fine wine over the years.

They put on a fantastic show in this DVD. And I was so excited as I'm going to New York in September to see them for their triumphant return to the US. I gush about them to everyone I meet, and even turned a few on to them. I hope this will turn some more on as well.

I'm one of the bigest A-Ha fan. I simply loved it. The concert was great they had a lot of there old stuff mixed in with there new stuff. It was a great mix of music. After watching it, I had to go out and buy there new album at the time was Minor Earth Major Sky which that is also good to. This is a must have in any A-Ha collection. This DVD also has lots of neat extras including a documentation on their seven years apart from one another, cool interviews , unreleased live footage , and they also included four music videos from " Minor Earth Major Sky ". This is a great way to see them live b/c if you are like me and didn't get to one of there live concerts all you have to do is to pop this in your DVD player and you are there with a front row seat for an amazing night of entertainment and fun.