Customer Reviews

Soundstage: Steve Winwood

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

...you'll want this just for the incredible opener CAN'T FIND MY WAY HOME. I have a copy of this show and it's wonderful. It's beautiful. It's Steve Winwood and that tells anyone who knows anything about great rock music all they need to know.

Other highlights include DEAR MR. FANTASY, LOW SPARK, BACK IN THE HIGH LIFE, and DIFFERENT LIGHT from the last album, "About Time"...tho' to be honest, this is a show full of highlights.

One of the greatest voices in rock, if not the greatest, and a master of the Hammond organ and quite the guitar player, Winwood is one of those artists who personifies quality musicianship and a level of professionalism few other artists match.

I'm a big, big fan...if you can't tell.

What a stellar performance! It's ridiculous and a shame the entire performance was not released for this DVD. I'm happy they included 3 bonus tracks, but that's only 11 of the 19 songs performed that night. I attended the taping for this show, and it was like all previous reviewers have said, an incredible performance and it needs to be released in its entirety.

The original set list for the more than 2 ½ hour show was...
1. Pearly Queen
2. Different Light
3. Cigano (For The Gypsies)
4. Can't Find My Way Home
5. Walking On
6. 40,000 Headmen
7. Empty Pages
8. Final Hour
9. Silvia
10. Rainmaker
11. Bully
12. Glad/Freedom Rider
13. Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring
14. Higher Love
15. Back In The High Life Again
16. Dear Mr. Fantasy
17. The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys
18. Why Can't We Live Together?
19. Gimme' Some Lovin'

Except for taking a few of quick breaks to allow the cameramen to swap recording tapes, there should be little editing that needs to take place. Do us all a favor and release the entire show!

This DVD does everything right, the sound and video feed are perfect. Great song selection. Steve still has an aswesome voice, he hits all high notes still. His guitar playing is very enjoyable. the only thing I can fault This DVD for is it's short length, just about half of the concert is here. I watched on PBS, before I bought this dvd, and the song list was about twice as long as this. I really wish they would have included the whole show, it's not like DVD'S don't have the capacity. So minus 1 star for trimming it too much.

First, the positives. In my opinion, Steve Winwood and his band are one of the finest groups of musicians playing today, and this Soundstage DVD captures much of the magic of their live show. Traffic songs like "Glad", Freedom Rider" and the 11 minute "Rainmaker" demonstrate almost telepathic interplay of organ, flute, sax, guitar and percussion, and have never sounded better. The songs from Winwood's most recent release "About Time" are played with oodles of soul, and the band are obviously enjoying themselves. The DVD is filmed in high definition and the audio is as good as it gets... as close to "being there" as modern technology allows.
So why only 4 stars? Like a previous reviewer mentioned, the performance is too short. Although the Soundstage crew filmed the whole 2 hour plus concert, what we get here is the one hour televised set, plus three "bonus" tracks. Why not just release the whole uninterrupted concert?? a DVD can hold three hours of material. What doesn't make it onto the DVD are some of the most rocking songs. When I saw the band a couple of months ago, virtuoso guitarist Jose Neto (who has released several of his own CDs) stretched out and played some amazing solos on songs like "Silvia" and "Low Spark" but these don't make it onto the DVD, even though they were filmed. Sadly, the songs that do make it onto the DVD don't feature Neto at all. Finally, the packaging includes no insert, so we don't get a word about any of the musicians other than Winwood.
All in all though, one of the best DVD concerts I've ever seen, it's just missing some of the real gems, and for no good reason.

A masterful production of a great artist in concert. I highly recommend this DVD. I agree with a previous reviewer that the whole show should have been produced on DVD, not just a portion of it. With today's technology, the whole show could have easily been put on one DVD. What are they going to do with what they left out, come out with a remastered version to make you buy it again?

I just purchased the 81 minute Soundstage performance of Steve Winwood and his outstanding band. This is well worth buying. The visual and sound quality is superb. The quality of performance by Steve on that B3 and suped up Leslie is out of this world.Thank heaven that he really now focusses on his unique Hammond organ playing and singing skills, and has surrounded himself with a truly dynamic group of talented musicians, all contributing significantly to the music and sound..So glad also that the DVD has three additional songs not covered on the telecast, particularly "Different Light". The other songs are well chosen and really show the diversity of sound and musical genius of Steve Winwood. What a treat to see him take an extended organ lead on "Empty Pages" and "Glad"..
As in other reviews, my only less than positive comment is that this DVD needed MORE songs from that evening!!The website indicates that many more songs were performed, including the exceptional "Cigano", "Low Spark", and classic "Gimme' Some Lovin'"..Why they weren't included, I don't know...This is why there MUST be a PART 2 to this DVD!! America will buy it in a second.(PLEASE take note, PBS and/or Steve!!!).
Anyway, Run don't walk to get this great performance from PBS, Soundstage and the great Steve Winwood..It is truly "About Time".

I have been buying and renting concert dvd's for a long time. I have seen well over 150 concerts. I have to put this one in the top five. Superb sound and picture. One of the tightest bands you will ever see and hear. The best version of "Can't Find My Way Home" I have ever heard. It's amazing how versatile Winwood is. One of the most amazing voices in rock. My only complaint is that the entire concert is not on this dvd. The other reviews stated that "Gimme Some Loving" and "Low Spark" were missing. A shorten concert by Winwood is still better than a full length concert from most of today's artists. What a talent!!

My dream band is Winwood on organ, Clapton on lead, and Phil Collins on drums. That should be the next dvd. We can only hope.

Buy this concert you will not regret it

Every time I listen and watch this DVD I feel like I am experiencing one of the best of rock pop performers of our time. I graduated from high school in '73. Most of my earn high school earnings was spent on rock LP vinyl.

This DVD has so much musical output from so few performers. It is intensely rich. Steve's vocals are so great they don't need any harmony, but they are included.

I've heard great rock artists/musicians can keep or inspire their supporting band members because they are nice people. I've heard the same from those who have personally met Steve.

I saw this same DVD set live at the Tower Theater in Phil PA in Nov 05. I would see him again.

Anticipating Steve's next tour. Dave

You have to see this guy sing, play amazing hammond organ and play bass with his feet (yes that is correct, with his feet) and sing with that amazingly souful voice all at the same time! Not to mention those great songs that he wrote. The man is a genius. Was tempted to rate it as 4 stars only just because its so short and NO bonus interviews or background info. But I just cant stop playing it, which is what its all about.

LOVE IT !

The PBS Soundstage Musical Series in now producing some top DVD's of their live stage performances, and this particular one, has got to be one of their best. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and founding member of legendary British band "Traffic" really outshines on this outstanding and well recorded one night stage performance, accompanied by a very tight band. Winwood's soulful voice is still intact after all these years and his playing the Hammond B3 is still masterful. For those who love "live Performances" at its best, this DVD is a must for your collection.