Customer Reviews

Paul Westerberg - Come Feel Me Tremble

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Finally! Westerberg's long-anticipated concert film/documentary does not disappoint. The entirety of this movie is simply slicker than a school-boy's sleeve! Buy two! In fact, after reading this, some of you may end up doing just that. You see, there were actually two releases of this DVD (the original edition was a cd-sized digipak available only at Best Buy stores on Oct. 21. The second edition was a regular DVD keepcase available everywhere as of Nov. 11). ...The second edition features additional footage not found on the original (specifically, live versions of "Skyway," and "Lush and Green."). I'm not sure why the DVD was released in this fashion, especially since the hardcore, early-bird fan is the one most likely to receive the "short end of the stick," so to speak.
In spite of that bit of confusion, either edition stands as a truly indispensable item that is pure "Manna from Minneapolis" for any Westerberg/Replacements fan.

I'll assume that everyone here is already a PW fan and jst wants to know if this is worth the money.

YES

Go buy it. Paul needs the money.

Great live performance, Paul's word assocaition game with Replacements' albums, and the simple joy of Paul and his fans outside the tour bus. For some reason, the scenes of Paul talking with the fans brought tears to my eyes. Maybe it was that so many of us have been with him for the whole wild ride since the Replacements' days. Maybe because we stuck with him through the lean times. Maybe it's because we're stupid sheep following someone who can't be bothered to try and please us. (OK, maybe not that last one)

Whatever it is, Paul Westerberg is the greatest songwriter of his generation, and you NEED this DVD. If for no other reason than "Crackle and Drag", or "Skyway", or "Unsatisfied" (For my money, one of the best songs ever written. By ANYONE.).

It's the portrait of a man at ease with his art, comfortable with his fans, and not concerned about being a rock star. Dude just keeps on doing what he wants, and he takes what he gets.

Even when he's at a record store promoting Stereo/Mono, and tells the fans that he doesn't remember the words to the songs they're shouting out, you just gotta smile. Vintage Paul.

In a perfect world, Paul Westerberg would be famous, and idiots like Fred Durst would be slingin' fries. Oh well, it's an imperfect world, and Paul's an imperfect guy. As it should be.

I suspect PW would dig the reference to Spinal Tap...

Overall, this is a fantastic homemade film that follows Paul during a solo tour. The live performances are generally superb, although a little uneven at times (what do you expect). I was a little disappointed with the solo format; Paul solo is great, but seeing him with a band turned up to 11 is sublime. Interestingly, I stopped missing the band about 1/2 way through the movie. Specifically, the absolutely heartwrenching rendition of "crackle and drag" pretty much made me a believer that the solo format is as compelling as any live band. A pseudo-video for "what a day for a night" is pretty cool as well.

Getting a peek at PW's creative process is worth the price of this DVD alone: freezing in a winter coat sitting in his basement, struggling to keep his cigar lit, unable to read his own lyrics, turning the tape machine on and off, etc. PW is arguably the greatest living songwriter alive; seeing him at work is amazing, disarming, and humbling. Is this really the wellspring, an unheated, cramped Minneapolis basement?

Word association with Mats record titles (more interesting what is NOT said), brief comments about his father, the spectacular failure of the Mats, hanging out with fans on the steps of his tour bus in the alley, his preshow ice ritual,...what more do you want? This really is a fascinating look at a tragic, charismatic genius. Like a ghoulish carwreck, man, I couldn't take my eyes off of this movie despite myself.

If You are a fan...GO! No further! Buy this immediately and enjoy! At last, Paul Westerberg has risen from his visual shell and shared with us, some truly intimate moments from his past... and present. In true Westerberg fashion we are only allowed to watch this DVD in its entirety. Upon purchase, as I peeled off the shrinkwrap I was enticed by the offerings listed- new songs from the great "Come Feel Me Tremble" CD as well as hints from Replacements past..."Unsatisfied","I Will Dare" AND MORE...
Pop it in, THERE IS NO MENU! Grab your favorite libation and kick back to the most wonderful Westerberg journey. It begins in a choppy, patchwork fashion, that only grows to accomodate its purpose. Paul,in all of his humble glory. Giving us a great one word synopsis of every Replacements album, recollections of meeting Cobain, and CHOCK FULL of incredible one man show performances! The only true hint of his personal life is a poignant reflection of his Father and his new song "Soldier Of Misfortune". A variety of film types document different stages of this film. From the emotional graininess of "Crackle and Drag" to the Black and White simplicity of the fan appreciation tribute "Meet Me Down The Alley". This DVD is a must have for any true fan, and a great explanation for significant others that are trying to understand our infatuation. Paul comes off as an everyman, doing his job, with great nonchalant. My only reserve, he teases us with the simplicity of his live shows. I've been there, and after watching this DVD, I cannot wait to return. His so called "Video" performances look as if he works out of a second bedroom in ANY apartment. That's the beauty of it! Buy the "Tremble" CD, give it a good listen, then sit back and enjoy this DVD ride, Thank you Paul, for inviting us into your humbleness, and giving us a peek into your end of our world. Following you down the street, as you seek your way into your next venue, where we are so eagerly awaiting your arrival.

There's no real structure to this film, the video quality is poor in almost all of the scenes, the audio quality is sub par, there are precious few songs that they show to the end, and there are no DVD "chapters" so you have to watch the whole thing through in one sitting. Which is all, seemingly, intentional. I get the low-rent aesthetic, it made the stereo/mono records kind of charming, but also frustrating (much like Paul's career). So, in that, in about 80 minutes or so, he managed to sum up his career as being a frustrating (frustrated) artist with flashes of brilliance, I've got to give it 3 stars. Had there been, oh, one or two more songs that were played out to their conclusion, I would've rated it higher.

Yes..you have to understand him somewhat. Seems with music DVD's I constantly see consumer reviews that are bad because the DVD wasn't a total act of perfection. On the part of production or the participants. Those people could find something wrong with everything. This DVD is great! Simple as that. You have to be a Westerberg fan and "get" him...to "get" this DVD. It isn't a "sing-a-long". Also, considering we rarely get ANY footage of this great songwriter, I would consider it priceless. This guy is responsible for so much influence on our music since the 80's. As a whole, The Replacements are legendary. There is a lot of humor, real moments, and great music in this DVD. Don't dis-service yourself by not buying it. While your at it...pick up a copy of Tommy Stinsons "Village Gorilla Head". He was the legendary bassist for The Replacements now solo and playing as well for Guns & Roses. You won't be sorry. Peace...

The great one is not going to win any awards at the Cannes Film Festival for this DVD. His directorial debut won't knock anyone's socks off. However, music-wise, it's awesome. What do you expect? It's Paul Westerberg.

Lots of fan film footage. Gives an up close and personal feel for his recent live shows. Very real and gritty.

im a bit dissapointed that so many of his live songs are cut short. why not let us watch the entire song?

An interesting disc, and as a Mats/Westerberg fanatic, I felt like a kid on Christmas morning when I popped this disc in the player. This will not turn on new fans to PW, but for those of us who are tried and true fans and have not seen this side of the man, its essential.

If you can get past the fact that the feature portion of the DVD is unchaptered (!?!?) and you enjoy legitimate DVD releases of shaky hand-held fan-perspective (never the best perspective mind you) camcorder-quality shots than you are in luck! You get Paul performing acoustic versions of his invariably mixed solo material and classic Replacements songs as well. The sound-quality is okay, considering, as is the video quality.

This DVD documents Paul's Acoustic Spring/Summer 2002 Stereo/Mono tour (his first tour since Summer of 1996). The song selection is pretty okay but the best two songs are in the special features "Skyway" and "Lush & Green". In the feature you get to see Paul indulge himself and lip-sync in his cluttered basement to his own songs, Paul insisting (through his behavior for the camera) that he's younger than he is, Paul brooding backstage. One can't help get the feeling that Paul assumes he's very funny and amusing. For someone so obviously insecure, why he wouldn't want to have a band behind him is beyond me.

I personally like Paul acoustic however I find an entire set of it to be a bit tedious. What's great about Paul in a live setting was his 80% electric and 20% acoustic motif. He's one artist where that works brilliantly and showcases how good he is at both. I saw him at the Virgin Megastore in 2002 and he was pretty much the same as he is here: okay..but.

Paul on DVD is otherwise nonexistent so this is better than nothing, I suppose. The unchaptered thing get old pretty quickly - if you don't like a song you're not given the option to skip it (how thoughtful).
It went out of print very quickly, so get it if you see it.