Chicago
Blues Reunion – Buried Alive In The Blues (DVD/CD Set)
Picture: B-
Sound: C Extras: C Music: B-
When it comes to ‘Tha Blues’, you will always find
controversy when it comes to the various demographics that encompass the
genre. From the Delta/Southern style
Blues and older ‘folksier’ type to the more electrical Chicago Blues, which you
can still hear more vividly today in artists like Eric Clapton. Of course Jimi Hendrix took Chicago Blues to
a whole new level by introducing psychedelic-ness with it. Typically if you are more into country music
or folk than you will find more of a southern blues style mixed with it,
whereas rock n’ roll is more Chicago Blues based.
Out of the Box Records has introduced a DVD/CD set that
reminds us of the great influences that Blues in general has and continues to
have on generations of musicians and fans.
This Blues Reunion Set includes musicians Barry Goldberg (piano/keys),
Harvey Mandel (lead guitar), Nick Gravenites (lead vocals, guitar), Tracy
Nelson (lead vocals, backing vocals), Corky Siegel (harp, lead vocal), Sam Lay
(drums, vocal), R. Zach Wagner (rhythm guitar), Rick Reed (bass guitar), and
Gary Mallaber (drums, percussion).
There is no doubt that these musicians are all talented in their own
right and together fuse well combining excellent efforts to the genre.
Track Listing:
Born in
Chicago
Buried
Alive in the Blues
Walk
Away
Drinkin’
Wine
GM
Boogie
Left
Handed Soul
Miss You
Like The Devil
I Need
All the Help I Can Get
Death of
Muddy Waters
I’ve
Gotta Find My Baby
New
Truck
I’m a
King Bee
Hound
Dog/Roll Over Beethoven
The 1.78 X 1 anamorphic picture looks quite good for a
performance/concert type of framing with solid blacks and rich colors that
might surprise some since this is not a huge budget type of production. Unfortunately the editing and composition
does not lead itself to an all that interesting watch at times, unlike
something like The Last Waltz for example. Although at times you can see the musicians enthusiasm shine through,
but only a real die hard fan will really be inclined to watch and re-watch the
material. Which is precisely why this
set is packed with a great companion CD to listen to when you are on the go in
your car or wherever, rather than having to watch it on your DVD player at
home, a great decision by the powers that be.
Sound is another thing that’s important when it comes to a
performance driven DVD, which this certainly is. The Dolby Digital 2.0 is fair, but would have been greatly
enhanced in 5.1, especially in DTS, which made Standing in the Shadows of
Motown a great disc for that reason alone!
See the review for that incredible documentary/concert elsewhere on this
site. While the 2.0 Stereo gets the job
done, it would have been more encompassing and involving if there were a bit
more activity with it, although some receivers can throw the 2.0 into a fake
surround mix, which might appease some listeners. The 2.0 Stereo on the CD is about the same, perhaps a bit more
compressed, but essentially the same sonically.
All in all a great set for the true Blues lover out there,
but not necessary a starting point to a fresh listener. The inclusion of the CD is a great addition
and the quality of the DVD makes it a split decision. If the price is right it might be worth a look, otherwise buy
with caution.
- Nate Goss
