Customer Reviews

Pretenders: Live In London

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"Live In London" is a live performance masterpiece that captures The Pretenders at the top of their game. If you saw them live on their 2009 tour, you'll know what I'm talking about. You owe it to yourself to get this CD/DVD as a reminder of just how amazing this band is on the road.

"Live In London" succeeds where The Pretenders' studio albums fail. They are one of those rare bands that truly does sound better when they're playing in front of an audience -- an intimate small theater crowd here.

With all due respect to original guitarist James Honeyman Scott and bassist Pete Farndon, The Pretenders latest lineup is the best Chrissie Hynde has ever staged. With the steady pounding of original drummer Martin Chambers, newcomers James Walbourne on guitar, Nick Wilkinson on bass and Eric Heywood on pedal steel rock from start to finish, revitalizing Pretenders' classics like "Message of Love" and "Kid," while adding new ones like "Boots of Chinese Plastic" to the playlist.

You'll be blown away by Walbourne's electrifying guitar work. It starts with the first licks of the opener "Chinese Plastic," scorches through "Rosalee," and climaxes with the show-stopper "Precious." Walbourne delivers pure, unadulterated, raw, rip-snorting rock 'n' roll. His on-stage chemistry with Hynde is self-evident.

As per usual, Hynde's vocals are impeccable, showing great range, dynamics and emotion, equally adept at punk rockers like "The Wait" and ballads like "I'll Stand By You." This woman has earned the right to work the stage with the swagger of a rock star. She is it.

The direction and camera work throughout "Live In London" give the viewer the perspective of being on stage with The Pretenders. Tight crops interspersed with effective wide angles make one feel like he can count the streaks of mascara multiplying on Hynde's face and see the beads of sweat building on Chambers' brow as the night rocks on.

It's 1980, and hammocked between the waning days of Disco, the growing artifice of Punk and a pre-natal MTV lurking just over the horizon, the music world seemed to be wresting through a significant upheaval that witnessed a new infusion of raw grit from Great Britain (Costello, Clash) but unfortunately, remained caught in the gravitational pull of cash flow dinosaurs like The Knack, Peter Frampton and Supertramp who lingered like an overweening FM virus.

Thankfully, just when the entire scene seemed given over to the mohawked bad boys, soon to be made-for-video poseurs and thirty minute drum solos, hard rock veered back from the abyss in no small measure by the sonic toughness of The Pretender's eponymous debut album. The entire disc was a shot over the bow of complacency and manufactured attitude - I still can remember wearing through the grooves of Mystery Achievement and thinking that all is not lost.

Fast forward three decades and The Pretenders, Live in London hits me in just the same mood - except that by comparison to the vacant rictus that seems to define music in 2010 - Peter Frampton would now be considered a Beethovian talent. Fortunately for us, Chrissie Hynde is still the baddest girl in rock and has not lost a jack-booted octave to time or ennui - still consuming the stage and all of the oxygen around her. The Pretenders remain loud, muscular and sinewous, even on some of the newer songs like Chinese Plastic which in a more just world would have easily been a hit.

A rough and ready five stars!

The seemingly ageless and tireless Chrissie Hynde and her band that comprises the Pretenders are in vintage form on this remarkable CD/DVD that was recorded and filmed in London 2009. Her diverse and excellent vocals are absolutely flawless and the guitars, drums and bass are frenetic and riveting. The many songs and hits that are impeccably performed include "Talk Of The Town", "Message Of Love", "Kid", "Back On The Chain Gang", "Don't Get Me Wrong", "Stop Your Sobbing", "Day After Day", "Middle Of The Road", "Brass In Pocket" and "I'll Stand By You".

Newer and lesser known songs are also brilliantly done live. "Booots Of Chinese Plastic" is a very uplifting rocker. "Love's A Mystery" features Hynde's tender vocals and some great pedal steel guitar. " Don't Lose Faith Im Me" is another example of Chrissie Hynde's emotional vocals taking over a song. "Tequila" is a melancholic and pensive song about a person at a bar ruminating about lost love.

Chrissie Hynde's vocals are the amazing highlight throughout. She can sound like an angry punk rocker, a seductive temptress, a rejected outcast and a tender and emotive angel. The band on this recording is arguably the best ever assembled by her. Martin Chambers is a renowned drummer and the addition of a pedal steel guitarist wonderfully augments the band's sound.

This along with Pirate Radio and The Isle Of View are the three releases all Pretenders fans or rock music fans in general should own. One of the finest rock bands ever with their most talented lineup, but the main attraction here is the greatest voice of the entire rock era. Not to be missed.

One of the best live albums in years by anyone. Chrissie's voice is amazing and the band sounds great. A nice blend of the old hits and the new stuff ; plus it comes with a DVD of the concert. A must buy for any fan

This is a 2 disc set which includes a live cd & a live dvd of a recent concert that was filmed in London. On the package, it states this is a film by Pierre & Francis Lamoureux. It does not give the venue or the date, but it's from a recent concert for sure. You get songs from their last album "Break Up the Concrete", plus their classics. Also, you get the original drummer on this one, Martin Chambers, plus the addition of a Petal Steel Guitar Player.

The Pretenders have their own "unique sound", with their guitars, that goes back to their first release years ago. It cannot be duplicated. Also, I love Chrissie's voice. "Message of Love" is a perfect example, of their sound.

This Pretenders DVD "Live in London", definitely proves why they have earned their induction, into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. If you want to see the Pretenders, being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, then I recommend the new DVD, "Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Message of Love". On this DVD, the Pretenders perform 3 songs, "Message of Love", "My City Was Gone", and "Precious".

During the "Live in London" DVD concert, Chrissie's eye make-up, melts, and drips down both sides of her face, but she doesn't wipe it off, she just keeps on rocking.

I really loved their previous concert DVD, "Loose in L.A.", but I like this one even more. You will not be disappointed in this CD/DVD combo for sure. Thanks and Rock On!!!

Never heard of The Pretenders and/or Chrissie Hynde until I viewed the Rod Stewart DVD from Albert Hall in London. Rod and Chrissie sany a super version of As Time Goes By. As she left the stage Rod noted, "The Pretenders will love you". I thought The Pretenders? A number of monthe later I received a notice from Amazon noting the upcoming release of a new album/dvd from the Pretemders; so I bought.
The diisc is very good, but the best of all is their fantastic drummer--he's got to be the best

RC Napper

This was an excellent find . A CD and DVD of a pretty good pretenders concert all in one . Strong performance great sound . I also recommend Isle OF View , an acoustic concert, and Loose in LA.

This girl STILL sounds good! The band's still tight & they've got a guy on pedal steel guitar who adds just the right touch. I LOVE this! If you buy it, you will not be disappointed.