Customer Reviews

Trevor Horn and Friends: Slaves to Rhythm

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3 star:		(1)
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The name Trevor Horn didn't mean much to me - and it's probably not at the top of your pop music "names" list but , after watching this fabulous two-hour-plus concert, recorded in 2005 at Wembly Stadium in London, I now know that I've been listening to his productions for over 25 years!

Horn is a bassist and was a recording star in the 1980s. Though his name didn't appear as a the "artist" on the label, he was the co-writer and lead vocalist on the song that "launched" MTV: "Video Killed The Radio Star". He and his partner were known as The Buggles. Shortly thereafter he began producing hits for others and many - if not all - of them were at this concert to aid The Prince's Trust (Prince Charles' annual benefit concert). It was filmed in what looks like high-def and was produced by Clear Channel (now known as Live Nation). The camera work is some of the best I've seen and the sound is near perfect. Horn either sings or plays on nearly every one of the songs and, recruited the original back up singers (and many of the original studio musicians) to appear on the stage. While he could have used synthesizers to replicate the string and horn sections, he chose to have a large live string section and a top-notch horn section filling the huge stage. There's even a harpist who doubles on backing vocals!

The guest artists appear mostly in chronological order by the year the hits were released and most perform one song. There is Grace Jones, and Lisa Stansfield (performing a new song, not one of her hits) - well known in the US - along with lesser known acts like the German group Propoganda and the duo Dollar. Throughout the first 90 minutes the large crowd moves to the music in their seats, unlike many US concerts where everyone stands through the whole concert. But then come the Pet Shop Boys (for three songs) and they are out of their seats. Following that comes a super-fine performance by Seal (whose hit song is the basis for the title of this DVD) and then the reunion of most of Frankie Goes to Hollywood and the concert reaches it's peak. Oh yes, there's also a performance by most of the group YES as well as ABC and Belle & Sebastian. There is literally something here for everyone who lived through the pop music scene of the 1980s and 90. And Horn makes a wonderful MC for the evening.

The bonuses don't disappoint either. There is a short documentary on the staging of the concert and another on Frankie Goes to Hollywood's audition to find a new lead singer for the concert. And, finally, a "juke box" option to play the songs.

This is one of the highest quality DVDs to be released by MVDvisual - a division of Music Video Distributors - which usually just distributes European-produced DVDS. It's a lot of fun and highly recommended.

Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"

Anything Trevor touches turns to gold! I wasn't familiar with Dollar but enjoyed the sweet musical confection the duo sang before the show got down to the nitty gritty. Grace Jones, ABC, Seal and FGTH were all outstanding. Lisa Stansfield is an aging cougar who cheapened the show with here cheesy stripper moves that I was expecting from TATU who in turn, kept there performance pg rated. Trevor Horn is a talented yet modest, humble man. Throughout the show he gave credit to the backup singers and musicians he's worked with throughout his career. The show starts on a high note with 2 songs by Trevor's group, The Buggles and ends with the bombastic Welcome To The Pleasure Dome by FGTH. A must have for any fan of '80's-'90's British Pop.

This is the same DVD that you had to subscibe to your local PBS station to get. Music and video is great. Highly recommend if your into 80's new wave /prog and rock. Check out all of the artists that performed at this Prince's trust concert.

This is a wonderful DVD, with some amazing performances. No one can dismiss that Trevor Horn is the best producer around and knows his stuff. Some of the better performances are from Seal, Yes and other less known bands/artists from the other side of the pond. Most comical moment for me? The the 2nd lead from Frankie Goes to Hollywood (Paul Rutherford) exposing a gut that had maybe one too many pints from the 80's. But, the "new" lead singer of FGTH was interesting, though screechy unlike Holly Johnson's smoother delivery. Ahhh. It's all good. Just hearing all the music that Trevor's touched is distinctly there and a joy to watch as it's performed live. You're not going to get the crazy rawk n' roll frenzy of say, a Stones or Springsteen concert (Let's face it, the Prince of Wales is watching - so no stage diving), but performances from ABC and the Pet Shop Boys did manage to rile up some English boogie-ing. Rawk on, Trevor Horn. Rawk on.

This concert gave me good memories and also to learn behind those classics as well as the team. Setting the whole studio and the crew on the stadium. ABC, PSB, Frankie and all the others were beyond great!! But seeing the different sessions and the backing gave me more into how the album was made! A perfect concert, perfect producer and perfect bands. Fan from Hong Kong

Saw this show on television and enjoyed it so much that I saved it on my DVR. I just had to purchase the DVD in case it got deleted and to share with my friends!! Brought back great memories!! Would highly recommend purchasing this item!!

`Slaves To The Rhythm' is something not to be dismissed. Legendary producer/musician Trevor Horn organized the event and played the part of bandleader throughout the evening, backed by a stellar house band. The show kicks off with a reunion of Trevor's band The Buggles, who deliver a stunning version of the song with which MTV first came on the air--effectively changing the entire music industry forever--`Video Killed The Radio Star.' I've always had more than a little love for Lisa Stansfield, and was bummed that she only sang one song. Likewise, the Russian pop duo tATu were only out for their lone truly worldwide hit, `All The Things She Said,' but both performances work just that much better in the DVD format, so all is forgiven. Other performers include Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Art Of Noise, Belle & Sebastian, Seal, Propaganda, `90125'-era Yes, ABC, Pet Shop Boys, and Grace Jones. Bonus features include an audio jukebox filled with tracks produced by Trevor Horn, one documentary on the event itself and another on the Frankie Goes To Hollywood reunion, and one of the coolest menu designs I've ever seen on a music-themed DVD. For those of us who came of age in the 1980s--regardless of our main music of choice at the time (and I definitely favored guitars to synthesizers during the New Wave era)--and for anyone with an interest in some great musicians having a great time onstage, this DVD is a keeper.

OK, I'll admit, the title of this review is heavy on the hyperbole - but that's the typical reaction when you experience the music of Trevor Horn - lush, stupendous, euphoric, life changing... I could go on, forever.

This concert nicely cements Horn's place in pop music history -- all of his all star acts reunite here in perfect form -- they've barely aged in real life just like their music is timeless and eternally fresh. My only beef is that Propaganda (my favorite album of all time - no hyperbole here) only gets one song. But alas - it's a stirring re-imagining of the classics, expanded with a full orchestra. Yes. ABC. Pet Shop Boys. Seal. The Buggles. Grace Jones. They're all here hitting career peaks.

And don't forget to watch the extras which explains the curious case of the Frankie Goes to Hollywood reunion. Too bad it didn't last long after this show, the lad they plucked from obscurity to replace Holly Johnson does an ace job -- he could also just as easily take over the lead vocals of MIA 90's darlings Placebo.

But enough about the past - what's next for Trevor Horn? A third Buggles album? One can only dream.

THis DVD represents the work of producer Trevor Horn. His name may not be known to the general public but, his work has spanned three decades. If you recall groups like The Buggles, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Grace Jones, and many others, you will know the sound of his work. Heavily influenced by early electronica and late Disco era dance music, Horn's music is sophisticated, heavily produced and polished pop. I have also had an affinity to the producer as musician as well as a musical influencer.
If you want a 70's-90's rewind, by all means pick up a copy of this video recording of the Princes Trust Concert. Trevor rarely performs live and here we see him on Bass and vocals fronting the buggles. Many of the original lineup was present and the performance was stellar. The other groups were produced by Trevor and we hear his style through the performances throughout this video. Some are good some stand out. "Relax" was probably his biggest hit and the performance is an above average rendition of that classic dance track.
This is a worthwhile addition to the collection of those who appreciate the work of the producer and performer; Trevor Horn

Ed R.

Welcome to the Pleasure Dome by Frankie Goes to Hollywood is one of the greatest live performances ever. It's so intense it actually gives me goose bumps.
The sound and video quality is just incredible. I first saw the "performance" on Youtube and just had to buy the DVD. Two Tribes and Relax are excellent, as well.
I think that Ryan Molloy did an outstanding job as fill-in for Holly Johnson. The rest of the DVD is very enjoyable, too.