Customer Reviews

Live at Wembley [VHS]

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The dvd looks very good and sounds great with plenty of meaty bass. Nice interview with Mark King also thrown in.

I'm not a great connaisseur of Level 42, but I like very much the first four tracks of the CD Running in the family. I was thus according a great value to this DVD according to the presence of theses tracks. The back cover of the DVD box indicates that Children Say, Lessons in Love and Running in the Family are part of the concert, but the latter is a video clip ! The fourth song I was disappointed not to find on this DVD is It's Over. I think every body on the edge of purchasing this DVD should be aware of that.

This concert was only available on video for many years, and was out of print for about the last 10 years---now finally it's available on DVD, so don't miss it! Truly a major event when it happened, Level 42 represents some of the finest that the 80's English pop scene had to offer. The music is astounding, and the live show will give you chills! The "bass cam" (camera mounted on the end of Mark's bass) adds to the fun.

Mark King is arguably the best bass musician to ever make the majors. It is hard to fathom while listening to and watching this dvd, that Mark had only been playing for about eight years. For Mark, the original instrument of choice had been the drums. It is pure joy to sit back and enjoy this fine time capsule of Level 42 at Wembley, as 1986 wound down. Mark King sings and plays to an enthusiastic full house during the high point of Level 42's musical career. Shortly after this stellar achievement, Boon and Phil Gould left the band. It is great that this dvd captures the original line-up at their best. Mike Lindup is the perfect compliment to Mark's vocals and a master musicain, as is the entire line-up, including Krys Mack on sax, and Annie McCaig on back-up vocals. The level of musicianship this band displayed is phenomenal and all captured on this dvd. All of the big hits are here, making this a must have for the fans who enjoyed the more jazz/pop fusion the band veered toward as the eighties pressed on. This live recording captures the pure joy of making music. This material does not come across as dated eighties tunes. There were no bands playing this type of music so it sounds timeless. The sound quality is excelent as well as the picture. There is also a video of the song "Running in the Family", and "The Sun Goes Down". And if that is not enough there is an interview with Mark King from 2005. This dvd is thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish. The songs are: Fashion Fever, World Machine, Children Say, Love Games, Leaving Me Now, The Chant Has Begun, Lessons in Love, The Sun Goes Down, Something About you, Hot Water, The Chinese Way, (although the last is not mentioned on the cover) Enjoy.

I purchased this tape in '87 when it first came out-somehow it got lost in the shuffle... I happily replaced it.Having seen Level 42 live twice in the 80's(PLEASE COME BACK TO N.Y.!!)I knew how great they are live. This tape is a terrific showcase for the incredible talent of Mark King(as well as the other band members).King ranks right up there with any great modern bass player you can name-Stanley Clarke, Louis Johnson..Every viewing gives me the chills-IT'S THAT GOOD!!

Level 42 started out as a jazzy, funky alternative to the lame euro-pop that dominated most of the 80's airwaves. Powered by lead bassist, Mark King, whose dazzling spanking technique puts him on my top 10 list of all time bass players, the group had a nice combination of soulful melodies with punchy tunes. It is my appreciation, however, that Level 42 is a group that was meant for intimate club settings rather than bombastic stadium concerts, and I think this video proves my point. They just don't look the part of barnstorming mega-performers - they're simply very accomplished musicians trying to fit the part! It's an uncomfortable fit, and although they do come out musically dexterous, their showmanship seems a little too small and forced for this arena. So, my recommendation is listen, don't watch! I mean, there's nothing that's going to hurt your eyes, mind you, but in an era when dazzling stage displays seem the norm, Level 42's performance in the height of their 80's fame seems, well, a little understated. I would rather recommend more recent videos featuring Mark King with a new set of musicians simply because he seems more relaxed and interested in his musical performance than the theatrical antics which this type of 80's venue demanded.

I have always loved Level 42 and just needed a way to reminisce...I used to listen to them while on the way to the beach back in the 80's. The PQ/SQ is just above average considering the concert was recorded less than 10 yrs ago. The only bad comment I have about this disc is that by track #7, the concert is no longer continuous. After each song, the disc navigates back to menu...a little annoying!

While great to see this concert again in video form, the DVD isn't really any better in quality over the old VHS I had.

Loved this concert so much I went out and bought a spare VHS tape of it, I don't have a DVD player (that will work with me. lol) and find the VHS STILL much more nicer, (alot easier for me to work really), Every song, once again, are CLASSICS, I can't really pick a favorite because I love the who tape, some fav's LOVE GAMES, CHINESE WAY, SOMETHING ABOUT YOU (but of course!!), Lessons In Love, And MORE, SO MUCH MORE. I never tire of this concert tape perfomance and have almost worn out the first copy I was lucky to find. And must we get into Mark Kings performance especially? All the members of the band, Mike, Phil, Bob and the backup players are FANTASTIC. I rate this 6 stars out of 5. (not meant as a typo, really that great).

The best of Level 42 in their '80's glory. Truly a major event when it happened, Level 42 represents some of the finest that the 80's English pop scene had to offer. This is still the best DVD concert available of Level 42. Sound quality and picture are both excellent. I am happy that this DVD exists and that I own it, and especially at this price I found it to be an amazing bargain.