BILLY CHILDISH
The Genius of Billy Childish with Thee Milkshakes Thee Headcoats (Cherry Red Films, Region Free)
England's King of Low-Fi and Garage in an entertaining collection of two British concerts of Billy's
most celebrated bands, Thee Milkshakes (1981-84) at Nottingham Palais in 1984 and Thee Headcoats
(1989-2000) at The Picket in Liverpool 1993. Jam packed with tunes from both groups and performed
with nothing less than 100% from the man himself and his bands. For the Picket show, Thee Headcoatees
make a surprise lead vocal appearances on five tunes in their own inimiable fun loving style with
Billy & the boys backing up these lovely girls. The gals stay around for the rest of the show
providing shimmy, shimmy shake back-up. Billy Childish was way ahead of
the pack like The White Stripes, The Black Keys, and other like minded bands who came along later.
I really enjoyed the whole DVD. A lot of fun to watch especially, Thee Headcoats. Bonus footage:
a very fun Headcoats clip of 'Beach Bums Must Die' from their appearance in the film Pervirella.
Grap a copy now !
www.cherryred.co.uk
Steve Elliott
THE CREATION
Red With Purple Flashes (Cherry Red Films, Region Free)
First time live DVD from 60's legend's The Creation of their two UK reunion shows in 1993 (5 tunes)
and 1995 (16 tunes) at the Mean Fiddler, all with the band's original 1966 line-up. I would've liked
to have seen the rest of the '93 show than just the five included here. Sure wish all of the video
footage had been remastered by Cherry Red for a better picture quality but, being that it was modestly
shot originally; I guess this is as good as it's gonna get being grainy in a bootleg looking kinda way?
Having said that though, I am truly grateful to Cherry Red for making this concert available period.
All your faves are played. Little snippets of interviews with all four are interspersed between the songs
from the '93 concert. The performances are excellent throughout with the band giving their best.
All Creation fans should own this DVD.
www.cherryred.co.uk
Steve Elliott
ROY ORBISON
Live from Australia (Image Entertainment/Orbison Records, US)
This is a major find for Roy Orbison fans everywhere, myself included. A newly restored here-to-fore
previously unseen to the rest of the World, October. 3, 1972 concert (except on Aussie TV).
Filmed for Australian television originally airing in April 1973 whilst stopping down under on a World tour.
Strangely enough, it was only filmed in black & white vs. being in color. Australia must've really
been behind the times in '72 as, the rest of the world was already long broadcasting TV in color by 1972.
None the less, it does not take away from the spectacular performance given by Roy Orbison here
performing in his pinnacle prime after the hits had dried up. Basically, he was an oldies act at this
point in his career like Elvis Presley was but, still very much in demand as a concert performer.
The man is in top form with that amazing tenor-like voice he possessed. Oddly enough, he was
then experiencing a #1 hit in Australia with 'Penny Arcade' which is rousingly performed here.
Roy's backing band and full orchestra, are another reason why this concert is as good as it is.
Superbly performing most of his major hits closely to the original records like:
'Only The Lonely', 'Crying', 'Dream Baby', 'In Dreams', 'Mean Woman Blues', 'Blue Bayou', 'Leah',
'Running Scared', 'It's Over', and 'Oh, Pretty Woman.' Missing from his tour repertoire on this show
was 'Candy Man', 'Up Town', 'Workin' For The Man', 'Blue Angel', and 'Ooby Dooby' but that's probably
being picky on my part. There is a lone MGM era single done here, 'Too Soon To Know.' Roy even has
a crack at Neil Diamond's 'Sweet Caroline', Simon & Garfunkel's 'Bridge Over Troubled Water',
and Wilson Picket's 'Land of a 1000 Dances.' The Neil Diamond tune is not really his stylistic forte'
however, he's much more convincing with Simon & Garfunkel's classic tune and most definitely,
the Picket song. Roy & band really rock the house with 'Land of a 1000 Dances' and it's one
of the highlights from this concert. The Big O looking super cool in his then long hair,
dark trademark sunglasses and white jumpsuit-like stage suit. DVD extras include: incisive, fond, &
funny 2004 interviews with his band on the tour and never seen band filmed 1972 home movies clips,
'72 concert photo gallery taken by fans, a digital restoration comparison, and the entire concert
is presented in 5.1 Surround & DTS Digital Surround sound. There hasn't been any Orbison concert
footage to ever surface from this lost early 70's era (or the 70's period) that's known or seen release.
Thus, making this concert a real treasure to own. A must have DVD for all Roy Orbison and early Rock n'
Roll fans everywhere.
www.image-entertainment.com
Steve Elliott
THE RUNAWAYS
Edgeplay: A Film About The Runaways (Image Entertainment, US)
First film made on California's legendary 70's teenaged all girl band, The Runaways now produced
by 2nd ex-Runaways bassist, Vicki Blue herself. Perhaps the first well known all girl
band to gain fame but not fortune in the U.S. They would have their greatest success in Japan.
The band straddled that fine line between Garage and Hard Rock in the very beginning on that first album.
Eventually giving way to Hard Rock by their 2nd album onward. All the original members
are interviewed giving honest accounts and featured extensively except for one glaring omission.
And that's Joan Jett who, surprisingly chose not to participate in this documentary reportedly,
after seeing an early cut of this film. Thus, their best known original songs are not heard on this film's
soundtrack since they needed her fifth vote for final approval. Also interviewed is original manager,
Kim Fowley who supplies his usual entertaining remembrances. The whole story is told here:
the good, the bad, and the ugly. It's very well made and really tries to be as definitive
as possible considering the prior mentioned omissions. In the end result though, this fact makes
this documentary DVD more a three starred item vs. that it could've been a five star rating.
Until another more inclusive film with all five members involved comes along, this will have to do
for now.
www.image-entertainment.com
Steve Elliott
