This title is currently not available on Amazon.com
album:
Live:
Going Home
format:
DTS-ES
DVD which includes DVD-A 5.1 Surround (48kHz/24-bit); DTS 5.1 Surround
(48kHz/24-bit); PCM 2.0 Stereo (48kHz/24-bit) that plays on all DVD
players
label:
Shout Factory & DTS Entertainment
release year:
2004
performance:
8
sound:
7
special features:
Photo Gallery; Five Bonus Songs: “One Red Rose,” “Troublebound,” “I’m Shakin’,” “Sadie’s Back in Town,” “I Ain’t Got You”
reviewed by:
Jeff Fish
In 2002, Dave Alvin decided that he wanted to have a musical family
reunion. The result of that was a string of “20 or so incendiary gigs”
(according to Alvin), with the real Blasters playing together for the
first time in 16 years. This was all capped by a night on August 13,
2003 at the Galaxy Theatre in Santa Ana, California. This is the
resulting recording of that night. Having never been a huge Blasters
fan in the past, I had to approach this review with a brand new set of
ears. While some of my preconceived notions may have been justified, I
also felt a great deal more respect for them than I did previously.
I’m very impressed by the level of musicianship that The Blasters
possess. This is one very good and very tight band; it’s obvious
throughout this recording that they are having a good time and enjoy
what they do. With the five extra songs on this release, you get the
entire concert, with special appearances by Sunny Burgess and Billy Boy
Arnold, as well as the surviving members of The Calvanes and The
Medallions. If you’re a Blasters fan, you’ll need to own this release.
The energy just pours out of each speaker throughout this recording.
The mix is set up to sound like you’re sitting right at the mixing
console. The surround speakers act mostly like the back of a club where
you might go see this band. If this recording does the band any justice
at all (which I think it does), The Blasters would be one fun band to
go see play live. Alvin’s lead guitar work throughout this recording is
very impressive. The Blasters fit perfectly in that category of music
called Americana. There is a lot of rockabilly in their music, as well
as a lot of blues. But you can’t really categorize them into one little
easy area. Alvin’s skill at playing fast intricate passages on guitar
is really very impressive. Most of these songs clock in at something
less than four minutes, but there are several songs towards the end of
the night that clocked in a little longer, especially “Flip Flop &
Fly.” The only reservation I have with this type of rock and roll is
the similarity all of the songs have towards one another. This is where
I had most of my problems. There is nothing wrong with any of the
performances or in any of the songs themselves. I would just rather
have a little more variety than I feel this release has. The feeling
that both me and my best friend had about this recording was that we
would both rather see The Blasters live. The execution of the material
is excellent; it’s just that the songs started sounding a little too
similar from one to another.
All that being said, the energy of this show transfers over well to the
DVD-A format. This release will be a must for any fan of rockabilly,
hard fast blues and even early punk rock. With tons of energy,
fast/loud guitars and Alvin’s distinctive vocals, The Blasters haven’t
really been know for their subtlety in the past, so why start now? The
show starts off with three fast rockers: “Marie Marie”, “Real Rock
Drive” and “One Red Rose,” all within nine minutes and all Blasters,
all the time. Yet halfway through the first song, you know you’re in
familiar territory. My favorite songs on the album for me are “Crazy
Baby,” “Border Radio,” “Don’t You Lie to Me,” “J.B. Lenoir Jam” and
“All Your Love.” O this last, Alvin’s guitar soars while the rest of
his bandmates provide this very cool groove. If you’re a fan or were
wondering what would be a good introduction to The Blasters, I think
this release would be great. The Blasters know how to rock and they do
it well, if you like it that way.
Peace!
Like this article? Bookmark and share with any of the sites below.
In 2002, Dave Alvin decided that he wanted to have a musical family
reunion. The result of that was a string of “20 or so incendiary gigs”
(according to Alvin), with the real Blasters playing together for the
first time in 16 years. This was all capped by a night on August 13,
2003 at the Galaxy Theatre in Santa Ana, California. This is the
resulting recording of that night. Having never been a huge Blasters
fan in the past, I had to approach this review with a brand new set of
ears. While some of my preconceived notions may have been justified, I
also felt a great deal more respect for them than I did previously.
