Product Description

Movie DVD

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8070 in DVD
• Brand: SONY MUSIC
• Released on: 1999-12-21
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, Live, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 63 minutes

Customer Reviews

Stevie's Best, But the DVD Could Use Some Work
There is nothing like seeing great blues in a small club. Stevie has done a lot of great live work (except while in the depths of his drug abuse), but this video is the pinnacle of what he was capable of. This small club in Toronto, with rowdy fans has more energy and fire than any arena, stadium or theatre could match.

This was also a musical high point of Stevie's career. He was older than the "In the Beginning" disc (also taken from a small club), and his playing reflects it. He was more fluid and confident, and you can see that he was REALLY feeling "it" the night of the El Mocambo show. I have never heard or seen a better rendition of Texas Flood. I have never even seen a beter blues guitar performance by anyone on any song compared to it. The versions of Tell Me, Wham!, So Excited, Testify, Voodoo Chile, Mary Had a Little Lamb, and Lenny also are the best I have heard from any recording (official or bootleg) of Stevie's.

As for the DVD, it could use some work. I noticed, in comparison with the VHS version, the mixers have brought the volume down a bit on Stevie's guitar, while making the low end sounds more prominent. This takes away from the power of Stevie's performance a bit. They also still have not included the version of Little Wing that was performed right before Third Stone From the Sun! Please! Include it, I will buy the DVD again! On a bright note for the DVD, the interview included is quite interesting, with Tommy and Chris' thoughts and relflections on Stevie and the night of the El Mocambo show.

All in all, I would still get the DVD over the VHS copy. But regardless, every fan of the blues, Stevie, and/or guitar should buy this video. Ever hear Eric Clapton describe Stevie as an open channel, in which musical ideas just flowed through him? This video is proof, and it is amazing.

SRV Must Have
I am quite happy with this disk. The 5.1 sound is excellent. The video is very good but not great; the issue being the simplistic camera angles - remember this was filmed in a bar 16 years ago.

The real joy of this disk is of course the performance, SRV before his excess of the mid 80's. The playing is fluid and graceful and gives us an insight into one of the greatest guitarists since Hendrix. Speaking of Hendrix, the version of Third Stone SRV does is a real high point of the show.

In short if you like SRV you will not be disappointed with this disk.

BUY THIS NOW!
I have been a huge fan since the beginning but the person that turned me onto this video was not. But even for someone who does not like the blues he was thoroughly blown away by this performance. This is one of the most amazing shows one could ever hope to witness EVEN IF YOU DONT LIKE THE BLUES! From the get-go SRV rips it up with Testify. Every song thereafter is a bonus:So Excited,Voodoo Chile(there were only two people that could do this song justice Jimi and SRV),Pride & Joy, Tell Me, Mary Had a Little lamb, Texas Flood, Love Struck Baby, Hug You, 3rd Stone,Lenny and WHAM. You will find yourself laughing in awe of how truly great a SRV show could be. In an age when "rock stars" put on a "show" this video is raw musical performance without any back tracks or effects. It's just a man and his guitar. I can say without a doubt this is one the greatest buys you can ever make and I will say it again-Even if you don't like the blues! Buy this video and play it as loud as you can, you will not be disappointed.