Product Details

• Actors: Blasters
• Format: Color, DVD, Live, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Shout Factory
• DVD Release Date: February 24, 2004
• Run Time: 131 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0001BS4RY
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #33,388 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Virtually a Southern California institution since the 1970s, the Blasters may not have achieved the wider recognition enjoyed by fellow Angelenos X or Los Lobos, but these guys have always known how to rock--a basic truth that's evident from the moment they hit the stage in this 2003 concert. Billed as both a reunion and a farewell (although to hear them tell it, there may well be more of both in the future), the show finds the original quintet, led by battlin' brothers Phil (guitar, vocals) and Dave (lead guitar, songwriter) Alvin, charging through an 18-song set that showcases their blend of rockabilly, blues, R&B, and good ol' rock & roll. It's a rootsy sound perhaps best described simply as "American Music" (also the title of one of Dave Alvin's better-known songs); but whatever you call it, there's no denying that this is a high-energy, highly entertaining performance, which also features guest appearances by Sun Records rockabilly guitarist Sonny Burgess, bluesman Billy Boy Arnold, and members of doo-wop groups the Calvanes and the Medallions. Bonus materials include footage of the band in the early '80s and today (Phil Alvin and bassist John Bazz are still holding the fort). All in all, a rockin' good time. --Sam Graham

Product Description

The Blasters emerged from Los Angeles’ rock scene in the late 1970s. Led by brothers Phil and Dave Alvin, their contemporary twist on America’s not-so-distant past set new standards for American roots rock. Frequent shows with fellow Angelenos X helped earn the band legions of loyal fans whose numbers continue to grow.

In August 2003, the original members reunited (once again) with both Alvin brothers intact, to perform at The Galaxy Theatre in Santa Ana, California. In August 2003, the original members reunited (once again) with both Alvin brothers intact. Notorious for their raucous stage show, this DVD is the long overdue debut of The Blasters on film. The 19-track set finds the band in top form, showcasing such band staples as "Marie Marie," "Border Radio" and "I’m Shaking." Adding to the magic of the evening are guest spots by a few of the band’s idols: Sun Records recording artist Sonny Burgess, harpist Billy Boy Arnold, and surviving members from doo-wop legends The Calvanes and The Medallions. The Blasters Live! Going Home documents the band nearly 25 years after its formation. They’ve never sounded – or looked - better.

Program:
1. Show Opening
2. Marie Marie
3. Real Rock Drive
4. Red Rose
5. So Long Baby, Goodbye
6. Trouble Bound
7. Don’t Lie To Me
8. No Other Girl
9. Help You Dream
10. Have Mercy Baby
11. Crazy Baby
12. Border Radio
13. I’m Shakin’
14. Red Headed Woman
15. Sadie’s Back In Town
16. Wandering Eye
17. I Ain’t Got You
18. American Music
19. One Bad Stud

Special Features:
* Classic Blasters - Performance footage from the early ’80s
* Authentic 5.1 Surround Sound Audio Mix
* Additional performances by the current Blasters line-up
* Interviews with each of The Blasters and their special guests

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Move Over You Fakers... This Is A Band That Truly Mattered, January 21, 2004

By	Kevin M. Meyer (Rockaway Township, New Jersey United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Having seen the original Blasters in the 1980s and on their reunion tour in 2003, I am a witness to the greatness of this band. The intensity of their performances, the nervous anticipation felt by their fans whenever The Blasters took the stage and the sheer joy of watching five extraordinary players give life to the true spirit and abandon of rock-n-roll was back with a fury in 2003. If you love real music made with passion, not the kind that corporate Svengalis market to the soul-less, clueless and tasteless masses, then my friend: go home with The Blasters.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Live Video of a Great Live Band, August 2, 2004

By	John Standiford (Cypress, California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'll be honest right from the beginning, that I've been a Blasters fan for years. I was in high school when the Los Angeles punk movement was at its zenith. Seeing a band like X, Black Flag or the Minutemen was easy to do because shows were happening all the time.

The Blasters were a little different and proved why the punk movement at that time was so special. There truly was musical innovation going on at that time so that a blues/rockabilly/folk/country band could be on the same bill with a thrashing punk band.

The other difference with the Blasters is that they featured one of the great American songwriters in Dave Alvin. Dave has since left the Blasters and his brother Phil and earned a Grammy a few years ago for his folk CD In The Public Domain. Recently, as a bid to firmly establish and memorialize the Blasters' unique role in rock history, Dave rejoined the band for a limited tour and for the release of their compilation CD.

This DVD contains the band's most recent final show at the Galaxy Theater in Santa Ana. In short, a great show with special guests and a great example of why the Blasters were a great band that performed a number of incredible songs.

As a longtime fan of the band, I can't give this DVD five stars because of a couple of quibbles that shouldn't be a problem for casual fans. My first problem is that this live DVD and companion CD does not live up musically to the Trouble Bound CD that was recorded about a year earlier during another part of their touring. Trouble Bound was recorded at the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip and is one of the best live CDs of any band. Going Home is great too, but I only wish they would have filmed the show where Trouble Bound was recorded.

What is really great about this DVD is the other stuff that is thrown in with the performance. The interview with Dave rambles a bit but I enjoyed hearing from him. The video of the band in the 80's also provides the historical perspective that demonstrates why this was such a great band.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Blasters Have Left The Building..., April 6, 2004

By	Clark Paull "(Sleepin' with the TV on)" (Murder City) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Up until a few years ago, I'd resigned myself to endlessly spinning my old vinyl Blasters albums until they were worn down to nothing more than one long runout groove since the only thing available digitally was "The Blasters Collection," an admittedly admirable, workmanlike compilation but lacking so many great songs desired by completists like yours truly. Fortunately all of that's changed with what seems like a plethora of Blasters compilations, live albums, and this wholly worthwhile DVD. Let's face it - the camera work and editing are far from perfect - but if you're old enough, think back to a time before MTV killed rock and roll and all that it stood for or for that matter, to a time when the release of a DVD like this seemed about as likely as Joe Strummer checking into the wooden Waldorf at the tender age of 50. Jaded, us? Although the years are beginning to show on Phil Alvin, Dave Alvin, and Gene Taylor (those b*st*rds John Bazz and Bill Bateman haven't aged a day!), these guys are still able to summon the muse at will, still fully capable of knocking most any band on the planet into a cocked hat, Dave Alvin's songs bursting from the speakers like a spray of sweat. Bonus features include the rarely-seen video of "Red Rose," two early 80's performances in California nearly ruined by dimwit surfer boys, interviews, and live footage of two songs by the Phil and Bazz-led "current Blasters line-up" (read "imposters"). If you're looking for the bottom line, here it is: If you're a Blasters fan, this one's a no-brainer. If you're not, I hear Janet Jackson's new one ain't half bad.