Product Description

The AVERAGE WHITE BAND (or AWB) came together in 1973 from various Scottish soul and jazz groups. They became one of the few white bands to achieve both success and critical acclaim playing funk. Their breakthrough release, Pick Up The Pieces, was a No.1 single in the US and a top 10 in the UK and across Europe in 1975.

AWB only played at Montreux in 1977, but that year they not only had their own concert, which forms this DVD release, but also acted as the backing group for a number of other acts. However, this headline performance was definitely one of the stand-out nights of the ‘77 Festival. It includes the hit tracks Pick Up The Pieces, Work To Do, A Love Of Your Own and Cut The Cake.

Included as a bonus feature are three tracks that it was felt could not be restored to a high enough standard to be included in the main show but which will be of interest to AWB fans: 1. IF I EVER LOSE THIS HEAVEN 2. I'M THE ONE 3. T.L.C.

The stereo & surround sound on the main show have been mixed from original multitrack tapes and approved by Arif Mardin.

Tracklisting:

1. PICK UP THE PIECES

2. WORK TO DO

3. A LOVE OF YOUR OWN

4. PERSON TO PERSON

5. GOT THE LOVE

6. SWEET AND SOUR

7. CUT THE CAKE

8. I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #47875 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-09-06
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, DVD, Live, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 97 minutes

Customer Reviews

A Funk-Filled Time Capsule
Having had the opportunity to see AWB in person several times in the late 70s and early 80s, I was thrilled to find out that there is FINALLY a DVD capturing the band's live performance at the peak of their trade. This is an incredible DVD capturing an energetic and FUN-KY performance. The video quality is dated -- looking almost like it was filmed by a personal video camera. But what it lacks in video quality is made up in the excellent DTS remixing of the audio. AWB has not sounded better live since they performed live.

Compared to other DVDs with the later incarnations of the band, this DVDs is heads & shoulders above. If you are an AWB fan, this is a MUST OWN. If you're too young to remember anything about AWB (except maybe Pick Up The Pieces) this concert will show you how it was done Old School style: real musicians, playing real music LIVE ... and dripping with soul. Enjoy!

This band GROOOOVES!
Taped at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1977 this concert video shows its age in picture quality but delivers some good audio quality. This minor quibble aside lets get to the core of the DVD - the concert itself. AWB were on top of their game at 1977 and this concert footage shows a tight, funky and constantly grooving band bringing the crowd to their feet and dancing. Anchored by the heavy funk drumming by Steve Ferrone supported by percussionist Sammy Figueroa the energy keeps on flowing. The show is boldly opened with the classic hit "Pick Up The Pieces" and delivers hit after hit like "Cut The Cake", "Person To Person", "Work To Do" - wish I was there myself! I am glad that such great concerts become available now and look forward to more great music videos from the Montreux Jazz Festival series. Don't miss this one!

YES!!
THIS IS THE BEST AVERAGE WHITE BAND CONCERT BY FAR, HOWEVER THE PICTURE QUALITY IS BAD AT TIMES BUT THE SOUND IS GREAT!THEY SOUND EXACTLY LIKE THEMSELVES,NO JOKE. A MUST FOR A W B FANS.