Customer Reviews

Soundstage Presents: REO Speedwagon Live In The Heartland

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I also just saw this concert on PBS, and was FLOORED. It is obvious that these guys have been performing live, non-stop since the late 1970s. On stage, these guys are a well oiled machine. The talent and skills are higher now than when they released Hi Infidelity. My wife and I watched this concert over and over on our Tivo, and like this live concerts vertions of the REO songs better than the original album vertions. The audio and video quality of the broadcast concert were outstanding and I hope it is on this DVD also. I am trying to find this concert on Blu Ray, but if it is not offered that way, I will still buy the regular DVD vertion because this is a performance I know I will enjoy with my wife for years to come.

After being so impressed with this, I will admit that my wife and I went to the REO Speedwagon web site to see if we can go see them live in concert! I have not been to a concert in over 20 years, but can't wait to see these guys in person.

I've never been a major REO fan in that I've never bought a record or CD by them. But, after catching this concert on public TV, and being pretty wowed by their performance, I have to say I was very impressed by how tight these guys play together. The classic hits here really are done justice by these live performances and. because they have been ingrained in the classic rock public consciousness over the past 25+ years, they really hit you with more power than the first time you heard them ("I Can't Fight This Feeling", etc.). And, one of the new tunes, "Find Your Own Way Home" blew me away by how good a song it is - I've got to get the CD, and will also get this DVD when it comes out next month. REO has been around a long time and that fact makes viewing this tight & enjoyable performance even more amazing. This is no nostalgia act - these guys still rock, big-time!

REO Speedwagon has been touring non-stop for 35+ years. They have sold well over 40 million records worldwide. Now, SOUNDSTAGE gives REO their due, and long over due it is. Performing from REO's heartland, right where they started the whole Speedwagon thing, right smack in the middle of the U.S., Chicago that is. Right away they start out with a rocker, Don't Let Him Go and keep it going with Take It On The Run. This gets and keeps the crowd on their feet. They then cut into a brand new song, the title track off of their new cd, Find Your Own Way Home. The reception after the song felt like the crowd wanted more new REO. But, instead, they kick into high gear and start jamming one REO classic after another. Even when you think it is going to slow down when they start playing their signature rock ballads, like Keep On Loving You and Can't Fight This Feeling, to the contrary, the audience is begging for more. And does REO Speedwagon satisfy. You get over 75 minutes of classic REO. You even get some rare interviews which wraps this Widescreen HD DVD taped in 5.1 Surround Sound up nicely. I gave it 5 Stars because that is just what it deserves.

I agree with alot of the other reviews that described this concert with the "WOW FACTOR."
A friend brought this over for me to watch recently, the first thing I asked was "is Gary Richrath on it?" The answer was NO, so I was somewhat subdued by that fact, but once we started watching this concert, I was captivated the whole time, these guys flat out rock the entire show, it was amazing and incredible, I was completely blown away. The audio and video are excellent, but most importantly the band was smokin' hot, so those three elements make for an excellent production to the max.
I don't really understand those couple of negative reviews, "Kevin's voice is about shot, and these guys look old and haggard." Those remarks were way off base. I can't believe anyone could watch this and then make negative remarks like that.
I highly recommend this DVD to anyone who wants to hear a top quality band that flat out rocks.

REO is still rollin at full speed!!!. I saw the band at the height of their success on the "High Infidelity Tour", (along with 18,000 others at that particular time,) and i enjoyed this show as much as that! This is a great show, the stage,the sound, and song mix of old and new tunes are perfect.Although the crowd on this show is much smaller than the full size arena show when I saw them,the energy level between the band and the crowd is well documented here!Do not miss this dvd!!!

REO Speedwagon performs at a level on this Soundstage concert that rivals their heyday. Included is nearly every hit, many of the classics, and includes 4 songs off the new "Find Your Own Way Home" album. Only missed "Everything You Feel" from the new album that would have made this absolutely complete. But the best part of this DVD is that, after rockin through the hits, classics, and new music, during the encore it includes "Golden Country", never before available on video. This REO classic is probably the most underrated classic rock anthem song ever, and seems be relevant more today than when written by original lead guitarist Gary Richrath back in 1972. This live performance and the new album shows that REO is refreshed and still able to put out.

Oh the passage of time. If only this recording had been done 20 years ago or so when Kevin's voice was much younger. Don't get me wrong here, I would still pay to hear Kevin sing. You must remember that much of Reo's music is powerfull, melodic, vocal, Rock and Roll music. At his best, Kevin WAS the best. This particular concert has excellent sound, crisp and hi-fidelity. Picture quality is flawless. The production is unsurpassed, this by the way is what helps Cronin out immensely. The vocals are definitely dubbed, the band is really singing live but on top of pre-recorded music and vocal tracks. The end result....very good. REO still Rocks, highly skilled musicians at their best. Great rendition of Golden Country definitely a highlight. I recommend it.

This is the best dvd REO Speedwagon has come out with and the best live concert dvd I have ever seen. It's in HD. It has 5.1 surround. REO is entertaining and energetic through the entire set. Where is the hall-of-fame nod for this band? C'mon. This band is real big into charity whether it's participating in an event or creating their own fundraiser to benefit others. Great group of people surround the REO camp. Give back to REO. Buy this dvd - then buy their latest cd "Find Your Own Way Home". Or, go see a live show.

Koch Vision and Soundstage presents "REO SPEEDWAGON LIVE IN THE HEARTLAND" (2008) (94 mins/Color) (Dolby digitally remastered) --- Celebrating 35 years of ruling the arena, REO Speedwagon is back in top power ballad form in this entry in the PBS Soundstage concert series --- The classic rock giants play all of their ubiquitous sing-along hits, including "Can't Fight This Feeling," and "Keep on Loving You," as well as material from later releases, in an intimate setting before an enthusiastic hometown crowd --- Presented in sparkling high definition and packaged with bonus interviews with the musicians, this one of a kind release LIVE IN THE HEARTLAND showcases the legendary American rock band like never before.

REO Speedwagon is an American rock band which grew in popularity in the Midwestern United States during the 1970s and peaked in the early 1980s. REO Speedwagon hits include "Keep On Loving You" and "Can't Fight This Feeling." --- Both songs are power ballads, the former being prototypical of the genre and appearing on the group's most commercially successful album, Hi Infidelity, which also included the hit "Take It on the Run," a song that peaked at number five on the U.S. charts.

Track Listing in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround - English

Soundstage: REO Speedwagon Live in the Heartland
1. "Find Your Own Way Home"--from the 2007 album Find Your Own Way Home
2. "Take It On the Run"--from the 1980 album Hi Infidelity
3. "Keep Pushin'"--from the 1976 album R.E.O.
4. "I Needed to Fall"--from the 2007 album Find Your Own Way Home
5. "Tough Guys"--from the 1980 album Hi Infidelity
6. "Can't Fight This Feeling"--from the 1984 album Wheels Are Turning
7. "Dangerous Combination"--from the 2007 album Find Your Own Way Home
8. "Back on the Road Again"--from the 1979 album Nine Lives
9. "Smilin' in the End"--from the 2007 album Find Your Own Way Home
10. "Time for Me to Fly"--from the 1978 album You Can Tune a Piano But You Can't Tuna Fish
11. "Don't Let Him Go"--from the 1980 album Hi Infidelity
12. "Keep On Loving You"--from the 1980 album Hi Infidelity
13. "Roll with the Changes"--from the 1978 album You Can Tune a Piano But You Can't Tuna Fish
14. "Ridin' the Storm Out"--from the 1974 album Ridin' the Storm Out
15. "Golden Country"--from the 1976 album R.E.O.
16. "157 Riverside Avenue"--from the 1971 album REO Speedwagon

SPECIAL BONUS FEATURES:
Clips - Special Acoustic Performances -
1. I NEEDED TO FALL
2. "RIDIN" THE STORM OUT
Interviews - Kevin Cronin, Performer; Neal Doughty, Performer

Great job by Koch Vision --- looking forward to more high quality titles from the Sound Stage Collection film market --- order your copy now from Amazon or Koch Vision where there are plenty of copies available on DVD, stay tuned once again for top notch releases --- where they are experts in releasing long forgotten films and treasures to the collector.

Total Time: 94 mins on DVD ~ Koch Vision 6567 ~ (8/05/2008)

This is typical high energy Reo Speedwagon concert, (a great thing)! Excellent video and audio work and the show is exceptional! I have seen these guys probably more than any other band live and this is a true tribute to their music and a great addtion to any collection! Rock on REO!!!