Customer Reviews

Long Days Night (W/Dvd)

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

 

 

Blue Oyster Cult holds the distinction of being the only well known band whose live recordings are as good (if not better) than their studio productions. Much has been made of the apparent loss of "Astronomy" on the DVD. Critics cry foul, and that this oversight provides cause to purchase both the DVD and CD. Go to MENU, PLAY ALL, and you'll get the full monty. The DVD has great interview features. (Blue Oyster Cult is still negotiating to be the first band to give a Pay per View concert on the space station.) Front man Eric Bloom is 65 years old in 2005, but looks and sounds much closer to 40. Lead fiddler Don (Buck Dharma)Roeser amazes more and more. On this recording, we just might be seeing and hearing him at his best. Yes guys, this is the same Don Roeser who has been the Editor of Guitar World for the last 25 years. If you've never heard of BOC, try this one first. There are no negative elements that compromise this recording. Dance on Stilts with me....

I will comment about three topics in this review: Blue Oyster Cult in general, the CD/DVD production, the performance by the band.

Any negativity that I have expressed regarding BOC has been instigated by the fact that the group's management, themselves or the record company has issued so many compilations without one truly being a complete greatest hits. Even though many popular bands have had this happen, BOC is one of the worst for doing it. Notwithstanding, they are a really good group. I read someone's review who was critical of the fact that they never really came out of the 70's as a true heavy metal band. But if you look at even their earlier material, they never really were (by Ozzy, Iron Maiden standards). However, they are an extremely talented hard rock band that combines a type of Blue Grass/Folk to its flavour, thanks to the formidable guitar playing of Buck Dharma (Donald Roeser).

The CD production is terrific. It stands along side Dio's Evil or Divine CD as a recent standout for top-notch sound production. However, the DVD side doesn't work on my DVD player for some reason...

The performance by the band here is fantastic. Buck and Eric's voices hold out well for being in their 50's and the guitar playing is really good. Again, Buck Dharma does his alternate finger picking Blue Grass style and vibrato nuances very well. He's one of the best guitarists around. Always has been. Also, I really like his ballads with the long twangy chords. "Burnin' For You", the new "Harvest Moon" song and "Perfect Water" are likely his best. They are all included on here. And let's not forget the ever-popular "Don't Fear the Reaper". Bobby Rondinelli appears to have replaced Chuck Burgi on drums (both former Rainbow players) the latter likely a bit better than the former, but there is no problem with this. I think Burgi is now with Enrique Iglesias (as of 2005).

The only complaint, in conclusion, that keeps this production from receiving five stars is that it is too short! The way these guys played that night it should have had at least five more songs. Too bad.

Buy the original DVD instead! Almost half the songs are cut from the DVD! No OD'D on Life; Harvester of Eyes; Quicklime Girl; Flaming Telepaths; Harvest Moon; Cities on Flame; M.E. 262!!; Perfect Water, and Lips in the Hills!
I gave it 5 stars because it's BOC, and it wouldn't feel right to knock one of my all-time favorite concert bands....
The music cd half of this package is a good listen, but if you came for the concert DVD half, do yourself and the Oyster boys a favor and buy the ORIGINAL 2 HOUR full length (well, almost: they cut Astronomy and threw it on the CD instead! Thats why I bought this dual disc...) concert and enjoy these aging rockers.