Customer Reviews

Mahmoud Ahmed, Mahmoud & Either Orchestra: Ethiogroove

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

 

 

The music on this DVD, to the extent that you can hear it, is fantastic. Unfortunately, every single track is marred by talking heads talking over the music and interrupting it in the middle of tracks. I have never understood why someone with so little interest in music would make a music film, or what the logic is of having people talk over the music in such a film; but this DVD is a prime example of it. It's massively frustrating, and the whole DVD is ruined.

I wouldn't recommend this to anyone who's interested in the music on this DVD.

Addendum: As Russ says, the documentary is of interest in its own right.

Unfortunately, I purchased this DVD without a second thought when I stumbled upon it at a local retail outlet. Being a huge fan of the E/O, I figured this was the find of the year. I should have hesitated and checked the reviews first. The blurb on the DVD jacket is very misleading as it states that the "rehearsals and interviews are followed by a superb concert." Like the previous reviewer states, this great performance that was beautifully filmed and recorded (the sound is fantastic) was butchered by the director. Just as you are basking in the groove and soulfulness of this wonderful music, the screen splits and Russ Gershon's or Mahmoud Ahmed's commentary is inserted. This is not only jarring to the listener but just plain stupid. The only conclusion I can draw from this decision is that the director has a cynical attitude concerning the attention span of the viewer, or he was just plain thoughtless about the listener. At first I assumed this was all part of the documentary section of film, and that the full concert was to follow. Unfortunately, this is not the case. If you are an attentive listener who truly appreciates what these incredibly talented musicians are doing, you will be sorely disappointed and aggravated by this film. My only hope is that E/O leader Gershon will take matters into his own hands and produce the definitive DVD for his fans, and Mahmoud Ahmed's followers. Technical Note: This DVD is in stereo, and there is no menu . Total Time: 67 minutes.

I too wish the concert had been included intact as an addition to the documentary. The documentary was intended as a kind of informative, historical piece, and has a lot of nice information. It has been shown on TV in France quite a bit and I'm sure has alerted a lot of new listeners to this music. But the music also deserves to be heard in its own right. Maybe someday...