THE BEACH BOYS
Good Vibrations Tour (Eagle Vision; DVD)
BRIAN WILSON
Presents Smile (Rhino; DVD)
     These two DVDs offer a stark contrast in depicting the ups and downs, downs and up of Brian Wilson. The Good Vibrations Tour was originally a 50 min American TV special broadcast in '78. Live concert segments (featuring a fat, greasy and confused Brian) are interspersed with interviews: Brian in bed talking about staying in bed, the brother's old music teacher speaking of Brian's prodigious talent, Van Dyke camping it up nicely in his hippy gear, a pissed Dennis lovingly describing his brother as "crazy" and the wrong-yet-funny Belushi/Akroyd highway patrolmen sketch, in which Brian is forced to surf (which we have since learnt petrified him). Musically the original Beach Boys late '70s cash cow comeback shits over the current highly arranged Wondermints' collaboration, hearing Carl sing 'God Only Knows' in the live setting is incomparable. Good Vibrations captures The Beach Boys on the rebound and even in the aftermath of his major problems Brian is charming.
     The double DVD aptly titled Smile, released on the back of the highly successful tour of the impressive sleeper album and its final release, features David Leaf's superb Beautiful Dreamer theatrical documentary that traces the conception, the horrors and the final appearance of the legendary Smile album and on the second disc a live studio performance of the album in its entirety. The documentary is an understated piece in which Wilson opens up completely and appears healed by the process. The story is almost fairytale-like in its happy resolution. Again Brian's childlike qualities are endearing in this film and his frank honesty touching. He's come a long way since '78.
     Both of these DVDs are essential for all Beach Boys fans!!! And you even get to see a fleeting glance of me in Beautiful Dreamer.
www.eagle-rock.com
www.rhino.com
Jon 'Mojo' Mills

THE SPENCER DAVIS GROUP
Gimme Some Lovin' Live 1966 (Cherry Red Films; DVD)
     Wow, what a find this brand new DVD is prime Spencer Davis Group at their creative height performing live in a German TV studio with an audience. First time full live footage of the band to be released. Songs performed are:' I'm a Man', 'Gimme Some Lovin', 'Keep On Running', 'When I Come Home', 'Dust My Blues', 'Together 'till The End Of Time', 'Mean Woman Blues', and 'Georgia On My Mind'. There's also a very informal interview with the group conducted by the German teenagers hosting this show. The DVD doesn't state what the show this is. Steve Winwood performs terrifically throughout, even when he's having a little bit of vocal trouble here and there due to them being in the midst of a European tour. However, that doesn't detract from the pure enjoyment of seeing the whole band (Spencer, Muff Winwood, Pete York) giving their all. Also included as a bonus is the excellent and engaging '67 German documentary, now entitled With Their New Face On featuring the post-Winwood line-up of Phil Sawyer & Eddie Hardin then, just starting up as a newly restructured band. Very fab footage of the band performing live, in the studio, interviews, cutting up, on location for a photo shoot, and songwriting. As you're watching this documentary film, you really end up rooting for Spencer and the band to succeed against all odds. This '67 line-up had a lot more talent potential than the critics ever gave them credit for. Both films are shot in black and white. If you love the SDG then, you're definitely gonna love this superb new DVD ! Great stuff !
www.cherryred.co.uk
Steve Elliott

RICK SPRINGFIELD
Live And Kickin' (Sound City; DVD)
     Live in '82: bad, hair, bad clothes, bad gear. Why oh why??? Complete bollocks!
www.soundcityent.com
Mike Maroon

VARIOUS ARTISTS
Remember The '70s: Greatest Hits Live (From The "Rollin' On The River" Television Show)
(Shout; DVD)
     Despite the corny title this is actually quite a cool DVD culled from the archives of Kenny Rogers And The First Edition's '71—'73 variety show Rollin' On The River. The recent recollections from the band's outlaw styled drummer Mickey Jones hold the collection together, whilst the clips consist of decent live performances from The Grass Roots ('Two Divided By Love'), The Raiders ('Indian Reservation'), Ike And Tina Turner ('Get Back' and 'Proud Mary') and, of course, The First Edition. The clothes are great and the band's performances are powered. A nice time capsule of syndicated America ala the early '70s.
www.shoutfactory.com
Jon 'Mojo' Mills