Customer Reviews

Pet Shop Boys - Performance

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
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Nice Going Amazon!!!.In the frequent Amazon.com tradition of either listing music video DVD titles without the name of the artist or listing the artist without listing the program title,Amazon lists "Pet Shop Boys(2004)".What is this program? Well,,I was able to confirm(by comparing the "ASIN" number with the Pet Shop Boys DVD's listed on Amazon's Canadian site,and by ordering & receiving the program though one of the Amazon Marketplace merchants),that this disc is the new expanded EMI/Canada DVD of "Pet Shop Boys-Performance",a 1991 concert program,now with 5.1 surround sound(Dolby Digital or DTS) & Dolby Digital Stereo,plus an artist commentary track,previously unreleased rehearsal footage & a still photo gallery.Fortunately,the song publishing dispute which forced the removal of "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" from the medley with "Where The Streets Have No Name" on the original VHS & Laserdisc releases has now been resolved,and the medley is now presented complete.(on the VHS & Laserdiscs,the lead vocal was mixed out during "Can't Take My Eyes Off You",leaving only the chord changes & background vocal "Ooohs",a sort of Karaoke version!).Song line-up is:This Must Be The Place I Waited Years to Leave","It's a Sin","Losing My Mind","What Have I Done To Deserve This","My October Symphony",I'm Not Scared","We All Feel Better in The Dark","So Sorry I Said","So Hard","Opportunities(Let's Make Lots of Money)","How Can You Expect to Be Taken Seriously?","Rent","Where The Streets Have No Name(Can't Take My Eyes Off You)","West End Girls","Jealousy","Always on My Mind","Your Funny Uncle"

Filmed over the course of three evenings at the Birmingham NEC in 1991, "Performance" features the Pet Shop Boys in top form, showcasing some of their greatest songs. I hesitate to say "singing," as this is, as the title suggests, a performance piece. Lavish sets, garish costumes, and a calvacade of dancers and backup singers make this a needed addition to any PSB fan's collection. While it is an import and carries a bit of a fee, it's well worth buying; wonderfully remastered and presented in 5.1 surround, "Performance" has quickly become one of my favorite live concert DVDs.
The tracklisting is as follows:
This must be the place I waited years to leave
It's a sin
Losing my mind
What have I done to deserve this?
My October symphony
I'm not scared
We all feel better in the dark
So sorry, I said
Suburbia
So hard
Opportunities (let's make lots of money)
How can you expect to be taken seriously?
Rent
Where the streets have no name (I can't take my eyes off you)
West End girls
Jealousy
Always on my mind
Your funny uncle

While "Performance" has been available on VHS for some time, it lacked the inclusion of "Where the streets have no name (I can't take my eyes off you) due to legal reasons; it is great to have the complete show. The weakest track would be "What have I done to deserve this" and that is only due to Dusty Springfield's absence; I fear I've been spoiled by the "Montage" version. That is not to say that this track on "Performance" is terrible; it is just that it is not the same hearing another woman sing backup. Standouts are "Jealousy," "It's a sin," and "We all feel better in the dark."
As with the "PopArt" DVD, the commentary is generous and a kick to watch, giving greater insight into Tennant and Lowe's songbook. Enclosed is an interview with Neil and Chris from '91, as well as one with David Alden and David Fielding.
"Performance" contains perhaps the most intriguing ninety minutes worth of concert footage I've ever been privy to witness; it will require multiple viewings just to take everything in, and even then, it will always seem fresh and new, as if experiencing it for the first time.

I was fortunate enough to see the Pet Shop Boys in concert during this concert tour in Chicago, in 1990. This is the same concert that they took on the road around the world, and was very true to the performance that I saw, which was very thrilling. This was no simple concert - the fans of the Pet Shop Boys, having come to expect much from them in terms of quality and innovation, were treated to a concert performance that was part music video, part Broadway/West End music, part modern opera, and part simple, old-fashioned concert singing. Something for everyone, indeed.

The music quality on this is superb - despite being a `live' performance video, the music has been enhanced and corrected to allow for the best possible quality. This is very much a live performance, but with the kind of technical skill and back-up that the music of the Pet Shop Boys requires (Neil Tennant once made the comment that the Pet Shop Boys were probably never going to be able to `make it live' because of the technological requirements for their songs.

The songs include the following:
This must be the place I waited years to leave
It's a sin
Losing my mind
What have I done to deserve this?
My October symphony
I'm not scared
We all feel better in the dark
So sorry, I said
Suburbia
So hard
Opportunities (let's make lots of money)
How can you expect to be taken seriously?
Rent
Where the streets have no name (I can't take my eyes off you)
West End girls
Jealousy
Always on my mind
Your funny uncle

The DVD has a complete performance of the whole concert; those watching the video will notice a modified `Where the streets have no name' because of some sort of licensing dispute with the song copyright owners.

The choreography is stunning, as are the sets, costumes and production values. Eric Watson, who has worked with the PSB more often than any other director for their videos, is also the director here. Other performers include vocals by Sylvia Mason-James, Pam Sheyne, and Derek Green; Scott Davidson and J.J. Belle provide additional instrumental back-up (both have worked with the PSB frequently).

This is a very postmodern performance in many ways, and one that has details that come out only upon repeated viewings.

Performance is a complete view of the Pet Shop Boys at their "performance" art best. Great reditions of their best songs including an amazing "October Symphony." This is a must for any Pet Shop Boys fan.

I did not think it would be possible to make this show even better, but that has been accomplished by this DVD. It looks and sounds amaizing! and the commentary alone makes this DVD a must for any PSB fan.

I used to own this item in VHS format. A definite must if you are a Pet Shop Boys fan.

This is a unique concert....the ultimate PSB style...you have to see this if you want to experience the best pop-art.
Pet Shop Boys show you a different way to enjoy music

I don't know what the other people above or below have reviewed but it is not this DVD. I ordered this NEW from one of the other sellers and though it is the correct DVD with all the extras listed, this is not complete.
The song "Where the streets have no name (I can't take my eyes off you)"
is NOT on the DVD. It is the exact same preformance as on vhs. Think about it..was the line "I love you baby and if its quite alright I need you baby" ever sung? NO. It is not the complete song. I wish the reviewers would have been honest or at least watched the movie first before making their review.

The sound qulaity is not the best, also the lighting needed improving but I am a big PSB's fan and would buy just about anything that they bring out. Remember this is a concert from 1992. This was a theatre interpretation of their music. Interesting.

I remember seeing this concert live many many years ago. My friend and I both commented on how it was totally not what we expected, but still worth the money we paid for the tickets. PSB has always done the unexpected.