Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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42 of 44 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Robben Ford In Europe, Again!, July 3, 2005
Well I am very surprized, frankly, that no one has reviewed this superb musical experience yet, so I will!
This DVD was released in May 2005 and is the first real taste of Robben Ford live since his excellent live set in Baden-Baden Germany in the 1990s as part of the "Ohne Filter-Musik Pur" series-and they are all great! In this Paris set in 2001 Robben has his best band yet- with a great drummer, super bassist (check his solo in "Help the Poor") and, for the first time, keyboards. I can't praise this performance enough. Robben exhibits his style masterfully, without a lot of show, and demonstrates how he has successfully combined Jazz (especially Jazz Sax) with Chicago Electric Blues.
Ford started around the Bay Area in the 1960s and built up a large following with the "Charles Ford Band" (named for his Dad) during the end of the Blues Power revival of the 1ate 1960s. He got to play with Charlie Musselwhite and then Miles Davis which really extended his blues-jazz style and chops. I love the part in the interview (a great bonus feature!) where he said Miles liked him when he played his own stuff, his own way...not what Miles had originally thought he'd play.
Well this DVD is well produced, has a good lenght and track selection and the sound is excellent, as you would expect from the Inaukstik people! The opening track "Prison Of Love" one of Fords strongest numbers is magnificent and sets the stage for the rest of the performance. It's a cool Jazz-Blues. The top selection of the DVD is "Help The Poor" from his most famous and acclaimed recording "Talk To Your Daughter". This version is great the the solos are as good as you'll ever hear from anyone! I always thought this and "Born Under A Bad Sign" were Ford's greatest songs ever! "Chevrolet" is a remake of a Donovan song "Hey Gyp"(Ford is a master of re-doing old tunes, especially blues, in a new groove and extending them!) This song was done by the Animals as well in the late 1960s. It is great!
"Start It Up" is a Ford rock staple with his trusty 1960s telecaster, which he plays through most of this set-that's also unusual. His version of Mike McDonald's "Nothing To Nobody" is outstanding with its great jazz chord structure. The minor key blues offering "Moonchild Blues" is perhaps the second greatest tune on the DVD, it sounds very close to the Howlin' Wolf classic "Who's Been Talking"! You just want to keep on playing it!
I highly recommend this DVD. It is the best new Blues inspired DVD of 2005 and a great addition to anyone's collection. If you only get one Robben Ford DVD, this is it! Great product and interesting bonus interview.
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27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Robben Ford DVD We've been Waiting For, July 11, 2005
Finally someone's done it right and produced a stunning full length concert DVD of Robben Ford. I have to say it's about time. Clocking in at roughly one hour and 28 minutes, this set clearly illustrates why Robben is considered one of the best. His style of blending the harmonic sophistication of jazz with the deep soul of the blues is put on gorgeous display throughout this entire disc. Filmed on May 5, 2001 at the New Morning club in Paris, the set list is comprised of:
1. Prison of Love
2. Just Like It Is
3. Nothing To Nobody
4. Start It Up
5. Moonchild Blues
6. Help The Poor
7. Chevrolet
8. Tired Of Talkin'
9. Indianola Blues
10. Deaf, Dumb & Blind
11. Lovin' Cup
12. You Got Me Knockin'
As we've come to expect, Robben's playing is stunning and effortless and his tone is both smooth and stinging. For you guitar freaks out there who might care about such things, Robben plays a gorgeous flame topped Robben Ford Fender signature model for tracks 1, 2, 5, and 6. The remainder of the show is played on his beloved cream colored '61 Tele (I'm no vintage expert but I think it's a '61). Extras include a great 24 minute "interview" that basically amounts to Robben sitting in what looks like a hotel lounge discussing his musical journey from the very beginning. After a fantastic anecdote about his time with Miles Davis (with a great Miles impersonation to boot!), the conversation ends with "to be continued...". Does this mean that a second live disc is in the works?? Let's hope so!
I have to say that this is a spectacular live DVD. I got it when it first came out and it was literally played over and over for about three straight weeks. If you're just discovering Robben Ford, this is a great and affordable introduction. If you're a longtime fan, this is the DVD you've been waiting for. BUY IT!
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17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great sound , puts across the atmosphere of his live show, August 12, 2005
This is a good 114 minute DVD - the copy I have is Region Free and it is in the PAL picture format I would guess , judging by the sharpness of the picture .
The lighting is good and the musicians all share the spotlight , musically and visually .
I was lucky enough to see Robben and his band live in Melbourne and the line up was completely different , but he only seems to play with the best musicians , so anyone backing him will be more than good .
This disc is for guitar fans , but it is also for those who like groovy , soulful and funky music .
There are plenty of shots of his hands , if you want that .
You can sit down and watch it or have it on in the background at a party perhaps .
It would make a great CD too .
Here's hoping he puts out an electric live album soon .
If you are a fan , buy it .
If you don't know much about Robben , this is a great sampler or introduction for you .
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