Customer Reviews

Los Straitjackets in Concert

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First of all, I have to agree with reviewer D. Beyer. Whichever company actually manufactured this DVD (Yep Roc Records or whomever) needs to get a grip on quality control. When I put my copy of this DVD on my player, it kept loading for 30-60 seconds and then, the dreaded "bad disc" logo appeared! After my blood pressure spiked and I calmed down a bit, I placed the disc on my DVD RECORDER and it played! Because of the way my system is set up, I was unable to enjoy the 5.1 Surround Sound, but that's another story. After I played the disc all the way through, I placed it on my DVD player and, this time, it worked perfectly!

Anyway, enough of the problems the manufacturer has and the customer must work around (Amazon take note).

I have been a fan of Los Straitjackets for almost 10 years and have seen them live in concert twice. I would have seen them more, but they don't come to the East Coast that often. The DVD depicts a "typical" live concert wherein the audience is not seated, but is standing around the bandstand. Why? It's very curious. One would think that the audience would be dancing, but what they're doing is actually WATCHING a performance! They're completely entranced with what's going on in front of them and don't want to miss a single second. I've seen this in person, so I'm assuming this happens all the time with these guys.

To try to explain what Los Straitjackets does is difficult, if not impossible. If you hear them, then see them, you'll get it. They are four musicians who are so good at what they do, they have fun with their music and let the listeners/audience in on "the joke". By good, I should say great. Danny Amis and Eddie Angel trade off on taking lead guitar, Pete Curry plays a steady bass, similar to the late John Entwistle of The Who (but can hold up on lead with Amis and Angel), and Jimmy Lester "maybe" plays drums. I say "maybe" because he has a mask on and I'm not so sure that this isn't the ghost of Buddy Rich or Gene Krupa playing, especially on "Swing, Swing, Swing".

Twenty bucks is a bit steep for non-Blu-Ray DVDs now-a-days, so you'd better be getting your hard earned money's worth. In my opinion, you do with this DVD (aside for the "bad disc" logo thing). Once it started playing right and I could hear the 5.1 mix, it was just like being at one of their live concerts without the waitress coming over and checking on the amount of beer you had left in the bottle.

Los Straitjackets are not everyones cup of tea. However, if you remember what powerhouse surf music or the guitar shreading of Link Wray or the tightness of The Ventures AND the humor of Spike Jones sounded and looked like, check out Los Straitjackets and find a machine that will allow you to play the DVD. I repeat, IT'S ABOUT TIME Los Straitjackets put out an authorized DVD. Thank you, Misters Angel, Curry, Amis, and Lester.

This DVD captures the masked surf instrumentalists known as Los Straitjackets, in a 65 minute live performance recorded in 2005 at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco (for the most part). Released in 2008, the concert features music up to their 2003 release, Supersonic Guitars in 3-D. The performance has an amusing lead in clip, featuring the band surfing at the beach, and then madly racing to make the show. The lineup for this concert consists of Danny Amis (guitar), Eddie Angel (guitar), Pete Curry (bass) and Jimmy Lester (drums), dressed in their customary stage attire, dark shirts and jeans, wrestling masks, sneakers, and Aztec medallions, with Amis, Angel, and Curry playing glittered up DiPinto Galaxie guitars and bass.

The intimate venue may not have been the ideal choice to shoot a concert video. The band is obstructed by the audience in wide shots, because the crowd is up at the foot of the rather low stage. There are cameras down in the front that do provide unobstructed views, although the viewing angle is a bit low. There are also other cameras providing additional coverage as well. The lighting on the band is pretty sedate, and rather static. The performance could have benefited from a little more dynamic lighting. Low light levels result in less than the best video quality at times.

From a musical performance standpoint, the band is in fine form, performing like a finely tuned machine. Guitarists Angel and Amis, typically alternate playing lead on the instrumentals. The stage is rather small and with the drum kit is setup just a few feet back from the front, there isn't a lot of room to move around, just enough space for the group's mildly entertaining choreographed maneuvers, such as on Time Bomb and Casbah. Between every two or three numbers, there is a short verbal outburst, always by Amis (Daddy-O), which is mostly in Spanish, with the occasional song or album title in English sprinkled in. And then the band is off again.

And so it goes for 21 songs in all. As the music is all instrumentals, the focus is usually on the lead guitar player of the moment, with adequate coverage still given to the other players. If you are a guitar player, you will be able to see how a lot of the songs are played (check out Itchy Chicken). Amis and Angel apparently do not use specially tweaked guitars for particular songs, and appear to do the entire show without swapping out their instruments. The songs are executed flawlessly, and the audience appears to be having a great time. Among the many highlights are Tailspin, Rockula, Squad Car, Calhoun Surf, Sing Sing Sing, Kawanga, Tempest, Itchy Chicken, and the classic Out of Limits.

The 120 minute run time stated in Amazon's description is incorrect. The complete video actually runs about 71 minutes. Available audio options are stereo and Dolby 5.1. There are no extras, which is disappointing, since the performance is a few years old, and there was ample time to prepare something. Drummer Jimmy Lester left the band in 2005, shortly after this was recorded. Guitar players interested in the Straitjacket's sound may want to take a look at the DiPinto Galaxie 4, and the Los Straitjackets model, which looks exactly like the guitars the guys are playing.

Although a venue more suited for filming might have produced more attractive results, this is still a fine representation of the band, and highly recommended to their fans, and lovers of surf music in general. Viva Los Straitjackets!

I decided to re-write my review after reading the 4-star review.

After my initial frustration of trying to get the DVD to play, I worked a little harder at it and figured out what to do. At 20 seconds, the DVD stops on its own. I hit MENU to get it to restart (hitting fast forward, play, next track, etc. did not work). Top menu popped up on the screen and I was in business. I gave the DVD 4 stars only because of the hiccup playing it. Other than that it was great!

I am a fan of the band and have seen them many times over the years. As the other reviewer said, it's about time LS put out a DVD! Message to Eddie Angel: You need to get the Hi-Risers to put out a DVD next!!

If you're reading this, you either like Los Straitjackets or their kind of music (guitar instrumentals). Stop reading now, and buy the DVD. You won't be sorry.

It's a great DVD with terrific songs and playing. These guys are great musicians, and have written some excellent tunes, and also perform some favorites.

No technical problems with my DVD as noted by others.

They are America's Instrumental Rock Band. Flawless playing. having seen them live, this is exactly what you see. Good video and sound.

I love Los Straitjackets, so this is probably a biased review. That said, this DVD is fantastic. I believe that Eddie Angel did the editing and production work, and it rivals ANY live concert DVD in my collection. If you are an aspiring drummer or guitar player, the footage and camera angles make this a must-own DVD. It's almost as if it was intended to be a video homage to the series of records titled "Learn to Play Guitar with the Ventures", which has been cited by numerous contemporary guitarists as their source of early instruction. But it's not just for instro-geeks... I tend to pop this DVD in when friends or family come to visit and we're just hanging out, and it never fails to entertain. If you are already a fan of the band, you will love this DVD. If you are new to Los Straitjackets, be prepared to embark on a fun journey of exploring their back-catalog after watching this DVD. I should also add that the first DVD I received from Amazon did not play properly in my player or computer. The DVD looked perfect (no scratches, etc.) so it must have been a manufacturing defect of some sort. Amazon promptly sent me a replacement that plays PERFECTLY... "instrumental bliss" indeed.

-murph

P.S. If you are already a fan of instrumental music, check out the latest CD from my instrumental band Killer Filler: Filler Up!

I have seen Los Straitjackets live on two occasions both times with the legendary and classic guitar instrumental group The Ventures. This DVD is an excellent potrayal of a Los Straitjacket's concert. The video quality and sound are both excellent. The song selection is nearly identical to the CD Damas y Caballeros! Recorded several years ago in Long Beach, CA. this concert was taken for two venues both in the San Francisco Bay area. One song I wish they would have included is Batman theme.

Saw them on this tour in Houston, seen them a total of five times. You must get this because Lester is drumming. While they have a new drummer and are touring currently w/ Big Sandy it's not quite the same, all surf on this video makes it go. I have over 280 concert dvd's and I put this in top 20 for me. Sounds great and the camera work is phenominal for the quality.

Enjoy if you like their music...it's like a greatest hits concert

If you've see them live - then you know what your getting, a classic Straitjackets concert with all the great tunes. Great playing from the whole band- Eddie Angel is one of the kings of rock guitar, and in case you were wondering this show is from when they still had Jimmy Lester on drums- IMO one of the best rock drummers out there.

There's really no suprises here- if you can't make it to an actual show- just pick this up, and your there man!!

If you always wonder what the los straitjackets was like in concert well here is your chance cause it is out on dvd the los straitjackets in concert is everything you wanted and some so if you love the los straitjackets or not this is an must for all fans young and old. So buy this dvd for your collection.

Rondall Banks