Customer Reviews

Lene Lovich: Live from New York

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

 

 

I remember staying up and watching this show late one night on MTV. And being a full fledged Lene fan I was ofcourse in awe of her performance. It was recorded soon after the release of her New Toy EP (1981). Lene always fully captivates her audiences with her dramatics and very original music style. Back when this first aired I had recorded it ON BETA!!! Had since lost it. Found a bootleg copy on EBAY (VHS format)and now I own this DVD version of the show. Although it includes footage (and very short interview) from backstage and snipets of audience members commentary, I was very disappointed when the DVD started at the 4th song into the show! It cuts out the intro number (Big Bird), Cats Away and my all time favourite Sleeping Beauty. I don't know why they decided to leave these songs out, considering that all in all DVD is not so long that they couldn't have included them. Oh well, I still recomend you purchase it if you are a fan or not, because Lene Lovich really is one of the world's most intriguing and original performers. GO AND GET IT!!!!!

Lene Lovich always played with her exteriors, her look and stage presence. Unless you saw her live, as I did in 1983 in Denver, it's surprising how much more intense, loud and layered her stage show could be. In fact, the band was downright psychedelic at this point. Given Lene's attire of an Eastern European vampire princess, coupled to her operetic vocalizations and professional association with East Germany's New Wave star Nina Hagen, Lene always appeared to be exactly what she was NOT--a Goth. Lene's sound was New Wave meets 60s psychedelic pop rock. Her success in USA's new wave dance scene lead to the recording of this show at STUDIO 54, NYC's famed disco.

Lene Lovich signed with STIFF RECORDS in 1978, scoring her first hit with the 60s classic I THINK WE'RE ALONG NOW. She also jump started the career of Thomas "She Blinded Me With Science" Dolby, who is one of her Keyboard players for this concert. (Since the band's sound was so dense, incorperating numerous psychedelic sound arabareques, two keyboardists were nessacary.) Her connection to the GOTHIC movement was due to her black nail polish and spooky eye liner. Actually, her lyrics delt either with romance,(Lucky Number, Too Tender) positive self image and the role of the Artist,(Joan, Say When) or spirituality (Angels, Rocky Road). "LENE LOVICH: LIVE FROM NEW YORK" was recorded when Lene was at the very top of her game, with her recent EP "NEW TOY" a smash hit with the artsier end of the New Wave underground. The stage set up was Lene Lovich on Vocals and sax, Lene's musical co-author and "comrade"(ie husband) on guitar, 2 keyboardists, bass and drums. Her sound merged a dense rhythm guitar strum, to layers of keyboards, over her rhythm section's pliable beats, from dance to romantic ballad. Every song on here is a favorite, with material from Stateless, Flex, New Toy and even the as-yet unreleased NO MAN'S LAND. Opening with DETAILS, Lene continues with JOAN, ROCKY ROAD, TOO TENDER TO TOUCH, SAY WHEN, LUCKY NUMBER, NEW TOY,BIRD SONG, ANGELS, HOME, and ONE IN A MILLION.
The sound was well mixed, the camera work captured all the fun of Lene's stage presence. You have the choice of hearing the show in either stereo or 5.1, altho TV broadcasts in 1981 were still in MONO, meaning each channel sounds the same, no matter how many speakers you employ. As a special bonus feature, there's a voiced over narration by Lene about her band, while they rehearse for their upcoming gig at STUDIO 54.

Lene Lovich was always a bigger hit in the UK scene than the States, tho she had a strong, loyal fanbase here. Her original fans will obviously enjoy this singular artifact of her live show. However, curious musicians younger than the NEW AGE community, ought to admire Lene's amazing vocal abilities, the band's strong stage image, along with Lene and Les's cool composistions, and arrangements. IF this music doesnt have you doing the pogo, then your body needs a good jump start. Most of all, Lene Lovich was FUN! The DVD portrays all the energy of a LENE LOVICH concert, and is a worthy purchase for anyone who enjoys Lene Lovich, or the NEW WAVE scene.

A good glimpse at Lene at her best ,before a live audience. A good assortment of songs.Birdsong,Rocky road, and Say when are the standout performances to me. Lene is quite an intriquing performer, some dated photo effects are somewhat distacting, but overall quite good. Live footage of her concerts are hard to find,which makes this even better.

While the music and presentation is wonderful, the quality of what looks like a transfer from VCR is horrible.
I've seen bootlegs with much better visual quality.

I'd seen Lene live in Houston after No Man's Land, and in SF after March. But this is her at her peak. Incredible document of a time when Pop music was still innovating. I love this DVD. Get it while you can.