Doobie Brothers Documentary A Nice Addition For Any Fan’s Collection

Courtesy: Eagle Rock Entertainment/Eagle Vision

Over forty years ago, the very first ever Doobie Brothers album was released.  Since that first release, this iconic band has gone on to release twelve more full length studio albums and has toured the world in support of each one.  Those travels and albums have produced more than their share of stories, and probably more than can be put to a single documentary.  But on the band’s new documentary, Let The Music Play: The Story of The Doobie Brothers, the band and Eagle Rock Entertainment have made a valiant attempt to tell as many of those stories as possible.

Let The Music Play: The Story of The Doobie Brothers is a good introduction for anyone who is new to the music of the iconic band that first came to fame in the 1970’s.  It culls interviews with the band’s members, its manager and those closest to them as the band’s story is told including both its good times and bad.  And it’s all set against the backdrop of the band’s biggest hits, including ‘Listen To the Music’, ‘China Grove’ and so many others.  The main feature documenting the band’s journey through each album runs a little less than two hours.  In that time, newer fans are welcomed into the world of The Doobie Brothers with just enough information to hook them and reel them in.  For the more seasoned fans of this veteran rock act, it’s more of a trip down memory lane so to speak.  It’s a reminder of what made this band so great in its heyday and what still makes it such an important band to this day. 

The documentary focusing on the career of The Doobie Brothers is obviously the primary feature of this new release.  The stories are entertaining and at times tough to hear.  They do their part in making this a nice watch for fans of all ages.  It’s just one part of the whole. Along with the main presentation, Eagle Rock has also included a near hour long set of live performances from The Doobie Brothers.  To some this collection of songs is just bonus material, as noted on the case for the disc.  But they’re more than that.  The live performances included with this new release serve as an accompanying piece to the documentary.  They help to illustrate the band’s memories of performing.  So in its own right, the collection of live performances included here is actually not just a bunch of songs, but a visual aid that helps to bring full circle what the band discussed in the documentary.

So few people give the bonus features of any DVD and/or Blu-ray the credit that they deserve. But this presentation is one more that proves the importance of bonus features.  And there is at least one more bonus feature not on the disc that makes the entire Doobie Brothers experience presented here even richer.  That feature is the included booklet.  Most people in general are quick to just skim through liner notes and booklets that come with DVD’s, Blu-ray’s and CD’s.  But were they to take the time to read through said notes and booklets, they might find out some interesting facts.  This Blu-ray’s booklet is a prime example of that. San Francisco Chronicle writer Joel Selvin opens his notes on the band by explaining how this very project came to being.  He writes, of how Pat Simmons started working on this documentary after stumbling across music from The Doobie Brothers.  Selvin goes on to explain that the music was from TV shows, movies and lots more, thus leading Simmons to start working on this project.  Selvin goes into even more depth with his liner notes of sorts, thus providing a solid prologue to the presentation.  Yet again, it’s one more piece of the puzzle that makes this a whole work that’s worth at least one watch by all fans of The Doobie Brothers.

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reel-Reviews/381028148587141.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at http://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Hungarian Rhapsody Is Queen’s Career Defining Performance

Courtesy: Eagle Rock Entertainment/Eagle Vision/Eagle Records

Eagle Rock Entertainment has done it yet again.  This is not a company that rests easily on its laurels.  Every live recording that the company has released this year has been just as good as or better than the previous.  And now with the year winding down, Eagle Rock has released what is one of its best releases so far this year in Hungarian Rhapsody: Queen Live in Budapest.

Hungarian Rhapsody: Queen Live in Budapest is Queen at its finest.  For any classic rock lovers and Queen fans in general, this new deluxe set is important not just for the performance itself but for what the performance meant.  It was a victory not just for Queen and for rock music as a whole, but it was a major turning point, politically speaking.  As Rhys Thomas writes in the liner notes of the set, “It was the first stadium show by a Western act to be held behind the ‘Iron Curtain.’”  Some might ask about that, why that is important.  It’s important because it represented the opening up of certain groups of individuals to Western influence of any kind.  It represented a political shift in that side of the world.  For Queen to be able to say it was the first band to do so had to have been an honor.

Having been invited as the first band to perform behind the ‘Iron Curtain’, the band showed its appreciation to the people of Hungary for the invitation as a whole with an absolutely amazing show.  The band’s energy spread throughout the Nepstadion throughout its more high energy pieces such as ‘Tear It Up’, Tie Your Mother Down’, and the show’s opener, ‘One Vision.’  And even in the concert’s more reserved moments such as ‘Who Wants To Live Forever’, Under Pressure’ and ‘I Want To Break Free’ received highly positive response from the audience in attendance.  They are of course, just a small sampling of everything that the band had to offer in its landmark performance.  The set list also includes the band’s perennial favorites, ‘We Will Rock You’, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘We Are The Champions.’  There’s even a cover of ‘Tutti Frutti’ that exemplifies the band’s ability with other styles of music, too.  The first half of the song is a full-on acoustic cover, while the second half absolutely rocks out.  It shows the band’s abilities with other styles and will have audiences of any age moving and dancing in their own living rooms, bedrooms, and cars.

Hungarian Rhapsody: Queen Live in Budapest is stunning from the set list itself.  Every band has shows that every fan considers to be the band’s best.  With the case of this recording, there is no doubt that this performance is the band’s best.  Mr. Thomas is correct in writing in the accompanying liner notes that this performance is Queen at the top of its game.  There is something about the band’s performance that stands out from any of its others.  It could be the band’s energy.  It could be the response of the audience.  It could be both together.  Regardless, this performance is the prime performance from Queen.  Add in that Mr. Thomas also states in the liner notes that the band did this show although there was no profit to be made from it, and audiences gain a whole new respect for the band not just as musicians, but also as people.  It makes this performance that much more important in the career of Queen.  Needless to say it makes this concert that much more of a career defining performance.  Sure, that term is thrown about a lot with musical acts.  But there can be no argument about it with this performance.

Nearly three decades have passed since this performance was originally recorded.  In that time, the importance of the concert hasn’t been lost on its audiences both for its set list and for what it meant to the world.  For home audiences it will mean even more considering the quality of the footage transfer from its original 35mm format to Blu-ray and CD.  Both the video and audio qualities of this performance are just as impressive as the set list and its energy combined.  Again, thanks to Eagle Rock, audiences can enjoy that high quality transfer as it has been put to both a double-disc CD set and single-disc Blu-ray in a complete triple disc Deluxe set that’s available both in stores and online now.  For the Queen fan in anyone’s house, it can be ordered direct online at Eagle Rock Entertainment’s website, http://www.eagle-rock.com.

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it or its companion page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reel-Reviews/381028148587141.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at http://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Metheny’s Orchestrion Project Is An Amazing Experimental Performance

Courtesy: Eagle Rock Entertainment/Eagle Vision

Nearly two decades ago, a little company known as Animusic created its very first ever animation.  That animation was titled, “Beyond The Walls.”  The release of that animation spawned the release of the even bigger animation, “Pipe Dreams.”  When these original computer generated pieces were created, they were little more than the realization of a group of individuals’ dreams.  Fast forward sixteen years, and a handful of releases later, and those dreams have actually become reality thanks to musician Pat Metheny and a group of inventors.  Sure the inventions used in his new project aren’t exactly like those presented in Animusic’s videos.  But the similarity in style is striking.

Metheny’s new Blu-ray and DVD presentation of The Orchestrion Project has made the dreams formed in the Animusic DVD’s a reality to an extent.  While Metheny didn’t make the machine operated musical instruments, he made himself to be a one man band as he operated everything around him with little more than the push of a pedal.  That the machines in those videos would be inspiration for something real and physical is amazing.  That they actually work is even more incredible.  And that Metheny was able to control so many different instruments while playing his own guitar without missing a single note or beat is beyond words.  It makes him a virtual one-man-band.  At a time when so much music has become watered down and generally lacking in originality, Metheny’s own musicianship combined with this vast array of machines and instruments makes this performance one of the most original of this year, if not the single most original of the year.  From the gentility of ‘Sueno con Mexico’ (I dream with Mexico, roughly translated) to the equally interesting ‘Improvisation #2’ to the five movements of the performance’s title song, this experimental jazz recording is a recording that every musician should experience at least once, regardless of which genre one prefers.  This recording just goes to show the genius of both Metheny and the individuals behind the musical machines presented with him.

The musical performances presented in The Orchestrion Project are the main highlight of this release.  Though as is the case with any home DVD and Blu-ray, bonus features can add to or detract from said presentation.  The Orchestrion Project is one of those cases in which the bonus features enhance the primary feature.  Of those bonus features included in the DVD and Blu-ray, the “Interview With Pat Metheny” is the most insightful.  Audiences will laugh a little bit hearing Metheny exclaim that this recording was the strangest thing that he’d ever done.  Sure, he was going out on a limb.  But as anyone will see from the performance, that proverbial limb held strong.  He also adds insight in his interview as to what exactly an “orchestrion” is.  He goes into something similar to music theory in discussing this.  This is something else that any well trained musician will appreciate.  Along with that discussion on semi-music theory, Metheny also discusses his reasoning for wanting to embark on this project, and even the potential of future releases such as this.  The nearly twenty-minute interview adds so much to what viewers see in the disc’s main feature.  Together, they make for a live performance of a completely different type.  It’s a live performance that any true music lover will enjoy.

The Orchestrion Project is available in stores and online now.  It can be ordered online direct via Eagle Rock Entertainment’s website, http://www.eagle-rock.com. 

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it or its companion page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reel-Reviews/381028148587141.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at http://philspicks.wordpress.com.

New Peter Gabriel Documentary Good For New And Longtime Fans

Courtesy: Eagle Rock Entertainment/Eagle Vision

Peter Gabriel has made a career of making some of the music industry’s most well known and respected music.  That’s been the case for nearly five decades.  Whether during his time in the legendary prog-rock band, Genesis or on his own, Gabriel has had nothing but success throughout his career.  Now one of his most classic albums has gotten its own documentary, telling how it came to be.  That album is his 1986 album, So.

So has become one of Peter Gabriel’s finest and most well known records thanks to hits such as ‘Red Rain, ‘Sledgehammer’, ‘Don’t Give Up’ and even a song that would make its way to the soundtrack of John Cusack’s movie, Say Anything in the form of ‘In Your Eyes’ just to name a handful of tracks.  This new documentary, which is part of the “Classic Albums” series, takes a look at those songs and others from So, and how each came to life.  It’s a good starting point both for any novice audiophile and a good look back for any experienced Peter Gabriel fan.  It culls interviews with the likes of drummer Manu Katche and Tony Levin (King Crimson) among others to tell just how much work went into the creation of So.  Levin shows some of his bass licks on camera.  Just watching this fellow legend pull off said licks is amazing.  The way in which he moves his hands across his instrument will leave any viewer watching these moments again and again.

One of the highlights of this documentary comes in the discussion over the album’s biggest hit, ‘Sledgehammer.’  The anecdotes shared about this song are both enlightening and entertaining.  They are just a portion of the material that real long time Peter Gabriel fans will find interesting in this near hour long documentary.  Even for those who are new to the music of this legend, the material offered in this release is impressive as it makes for a good starting point for said individuals.  The bonus material included in both the DVD and Blu-ray presentation adds even more to the overall viewing experience as well.  Whether on DVD or on Blu-ray, audiences will get the same presentation, leaving no one and nothing out.  Here fans of Peter Gabriel have one more reason to check out this new release, which is available now in stores and online. It makes for one more great gift idea for the music lover in any home.  It can be ordered online direct via the Eagle Rock Entertainment website, http://www.eagle-rock.com. 

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it or its companion page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reel-Reviews/381028148587141.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at http://philspicks.wordpress.com.

New Doors Blu-ray A Beautifully Re-Mastered Performance

Courtesy: Eagle Rock Entertainment/Eagle Vision

The year is winding down once more.  The weather is getting cooler.  And that means that the concert tours that are currently going on have gone indoors.  So what is a person to do until the warm weather and the annual Summer tour season returns?  How about another new release from Eagle Rock Entertainment?  In its latest release, Eagle Rock Entertainment has released one more iconic concert from what was, is, and always will be one of rock’s most iconic bands.  That band is The Doors.

The Doors: Live at The Bowl ’68 is one of the most important performances from the storied career of this psychedelic band.  As audiences will note in the bonus featurette included in this new release, “Echoes From The Bowl”, this famed concert venue started out as a place for whole families to go.  It started out not as a venue for mainstream music, but for classical and other forms of performances.  But it goes on to note that as music tastes changed, so did the Bowl’s performance lineups.  And one of those changes was in the form of Jim Morrison and company.  Probably no one would have seen that one coming, including the band itself.  Even the remaining band members note in this feature that they themselves were in awe of being at the famed Hollywood Bowl.  But as audiences will see in watching this re-mastered performance, the band was a massive hit as the entire venue was packed with fans.  And those fans showed their appreciation for the band’s performance, too.  The audience’s reaction to the band’s performance translates quite well for home audiences. 

The audience’s reaction to the band’s performance translates very well to home viewers.  The reaction aside, the band’s performance itself also translates quite well to home viewers.  Part of the reason that the performance and the audience’s reaction to it translated so well was perhaps the re-mastering of this performance.  Those who have HDTV’s and Blu-ray players will be amazed at the clarity of the picture and the sound.  Considering that this performance was originally recorded in 1968, it’s amazing simply to think that the footage stood the test of time so well.  Add in how it was…well…masterfully re-mastered (ba-dump-bump-bump), and audiences get a recording that will leave them in awe.  It’s one more piece of evidence in the argument for getting an HDTV and/or Blu-ray player this holiday season.  For those that already have either one or both, then this new Blu-ray release will make an excellent gift idea for the classic rock fan in anybody’s home.

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it or its companion page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reel-Reviews/381028148587141.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at http://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Stray Cats Live Recording Another “High Note” For Eagle Rock, Montreux Sounds

Courtesy: Eagle Rock Entertainment/Eagle Vision/Montreux Sounds

Eagle Rock Entertainment and Montreux Sounds have churned out some of the year’s best live recordings ever since the two groups originally formed their partnership.  Now, with the release of Stray Cats: Live at Montreux 1981, the two companies have released another impressive piece of history from the history of the famed music festival. 

Stray Cats: Live at Montreux 1981 presents Brian Setzer and his brothers in the Stray Cats in one of the trio’s most iconic performances.  As renowned as the Montreux Festival is, it is a bold statement for the Stray Cats to have been invited to perform.  It was a statement of belief not only in the band, but also in the old school rockabilly style sound.  Setzer and company made festival founder Claude Nobs and the audience more than proud with this performance, as the group kept the audience moving from start to finish.  Even when the band finished its main set with its classic hit, ‘Rock This Town’, the audiences still wanted more.  And the band gave the audience exactly what it wanted.  For that matter, it gave the audience what it wanted four more times.  The band came back for four encores, as that’s exactly what the audience wanted.  Cheers filled the room throughout the performance, even after Setzer and band mates Lee Rocker and Slim Jim Phantom finally left the stage for the last time.

The band’s set was just one part of the overall success of this recording.  That the footage survived for over three decades is impressive in itself.  It will bring back a sense of nostalgia for fans who remember this iconic band from its heyday, and will introduce new audiences to one of the most important bands in the rebirth of the rockabilly style.  Seeing the old recording style itself is the video equivalent to listening to a record on vinyl.  It’s simply a wonderful feeling.  And it’s a feeling that any rockabilly fan or music fan in general can enjoy any time they want now that this release is available now both in stores and online.  It can be ordered online direct via the Eagle Rock Entertainment website, http://www.eagle-rock.com.

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it or its companion page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reel-Reviews/381028148587141.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at http://philspicks.wordpress.com.

New Stones Vinyl Re-Issue An Excellent Addition To Band’s Anniversary Celebration

Courtesy: Eagle Rock Entertainment/Eagle Vision/Eagle Records

On July 18^th, 1978, The Rolling Stones made a stop at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas as part of its tour in support of its album, Some Girls.  Over three decades have passed since that iconic performance.  Last year, Eagle Rock Entertainment, Eagle Vision, and Eagle Records released that performance on CD, DVD and Blu-ray.  Now, the companies have followed up the success of those releases with a double disc vinyl/DVD combo pack for true hardcore Stones fans.  This new set includes the entire performance of that show on two double sided vinyl discs along with a full length performance of the show on DVD.  It goes without saying that this is another outstanding performance from an outstanding band that helps to celebrate the band’s fiftieth anniversary.

The first thing that will hit audiences in taking in this performance is the quality of the recording.  Nearly thirty-five years have passed since this performance was originally recorded.  But as evidenced both on the DVD and the vinyl release, the recording has stood the test of time.  The audio portion on the vinyl will impress any audiophile.  The companion DVD is just as impressive.  Considering the technology that was available in 1978, the quality of the video footage is outstanding.  It’s obvious painstaking efforts were taken to preserve this concert.  And those responsible for maintaining and restoring it for its latest release are to be commended for their efforts.  Those efforts paid off in a large way.  It’s great to be able to see the band’s performance not just from the stage, but also from the vantage point of the audience.  The wide shots of the show from the back of the auditorium give an even more incredible view of the audience numbers and the audience’s reaction to the band from one song to the next.  There’s no let up from either the band or its fans throughout the concert.

The audio and video go a long way towards making Some Girls Live in Texas ’78 enjoyable for any Rolling Stones fan.  They’re just part of the overall experience, though.  The set list has its own hand in the success of this release.  Presented here are standout performance of hits including:  ‘Star Star’, ‘Honky Tonk Women’, ‘Beast of Burden’, ‘Brown Sugar’, and ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash.’  Long time audiences that haven’t gotten to see last year’s DVD and BD release of this show will be taken aback by the band’s you and energy here.  There’s hardly a wrinkle to be seen on any of the band members.  Though, Mick Jagger has that signature swagger that has made him such a rock icon throughout the Stones’ career together.  And the guitar solos courtesy of Keith Richards and Ron Wood will get even the newest Stones’ fans moving in their own living rooms, bedrooms, etc.  Drummer Charlie Watts keeps the whole band together behind his kit, adding his own flair where necessary, too.  The band’s performance and the equally impressive recording come together to make a release that is a fitting addition to any Stones’ fan’s celebration of the band’s anniversary.  Some Girls Live in Texas ’78 is available now in stores and online.  It can be ordered online at http://www.eagle-rock.com. 

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it or its companion page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reel-Reviews/381028148587141.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at http://philspicks.wordpress.com.

New Muddy Waters/Stones Double Vinyl Makes A Great Performance Greater

Courtesy: Eagle Rock Entertainment/Eagle Records/Eagle Vision

Eagle Rock Entertainment released what is one of the year’s best live releases earlier this year in the classic 1981 performance of The Rolling Stones and Muddy Waters live at Chicago’s Checkerboard Lounge.  That set contained both a DVD and CD.  Now, Eagle Rock has followed up that release and sweetened the deal for audiences even more with a new vinyl/DVD companion to the DVD/CD set.

 The new Vinyl/DVD companion to Eagle Rock’s previous release contains the entire performance from the DVD/CD set on two vinyls.  It also includes the artists’ full performance on a full length DVD presentation.  This new addition to the previously released set as it makes the classic performance that much more fully encompassing.  Just as listening to the CD and watching the DVD will give fans of the modern medium a full concert experience, so will this new set.  Audiences who haven’t yet checked out either set will be amazed at the enjoyment that they will experience, especially with this additional piece.  This iconic show was recorded before the dawn of compact discs.  And it was recorded in one of the “queen cities of jazz and the blues.”  Knowing that, putting on the vinyls will bring on a total sense of nostalgia for any fan that might prefer that medium. 

Listening to the concert on vinyl will instantly conjure up some wonderful nostalgic feelings in any listener young enough to recall those days before compact discs and mp3’s.  It’s a fantastic feeling to put on either disc, close one’s eyes, and really take in the music.  It may be even more so than with the CD presentation, because of that sense of nostalgia.  That’s just part of the whole package, though.  As wonderful as it is to experience this show as it was really meant to be experienced, the inclusion of a DVD with the full concert makes the entire thing that much better.  Being able to see the Stones, Muddy Waters, Junior Wells, and all the others up on that tiny stage is incredible.  After having seen the show, audiences can go back, put the vinyls on back to back and gain that much more appreciation for what is one of this great nation’s greatest musical genres and for the artists performing each song.  Muddy Waters and The Rolling Stones Live at the Checkerboard Lounge is available in stores and online now.  It can be ordered direct via Eagle Rock Entertainment’s website, http://www.eagle-rock.com.

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it or its companion page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reel-Reviews/381028148587141.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at http://philspicks.wordpress.com.

New Documentary Shows Freddie Mercury In A New Light

Courtesy: Eagle Rock Entertainment/Eagle Vision

Queen fans all know Freddie Mercury as the front man of the iconic British rock band.  But how many people out there know that Mercury actually worked on projects outside of Queen?  Early this year, Eagle Rock Entertainment and Eagle Vision released a documentary titled, “Days of Our Lives.”  That documentary very briefly touched on Mercury’s time away from Queen.  Now, fans get a whole new look on Mercury’s other work with the new documentary, “Freddie Mercury:  The Great Pretender.”

“Freddie Mercury:  The Great Pretender” presents not just Freddie Mercury as a solo artist, but as a person.  Audiences will learn through archived interviews with Freddie, his band mates in Queen, and others who knew him, a side of Freddie that perhaps few audiences might have known.  One of the most interesting facts that audiences learn from this documentary is that Freddie originally had no intention of being a rock star.  He admits in an archived interview, that he originally was going to be a graphic artist.  Or as he called it, a graphic illustrator.  One only knows what would have become of Queen had that happened.  This is just the tip of the iceberg in this brand new release.  Something that audiences will really be in awe of is Freddie’s love of the cultural arts.

Interviews with Freddie and those who knew him reveal that Freddie became a big fan of opera during his life.  It’s fitting that he would.  His voice always came across in that very theateric and operatic style.  He was never really a rock singer.  So when he started singing with opera great Montserrat Caballe, the result was definitely a far cry from what audiences might have expected.  Surprisingly though, his work with Caballe was actually very impressive from the angle of studying opera.  As one of the individuals interviewed for this feature noted, if not for Freddie Mercury, the name of Monterrat Caballe would have been known only to audiences of opera.  It was Mercury that brought her to such popularity.  That alone says quite a bit about Freddie Mercury’s influence.

One other note that stands out in this documentaryis Freddie Mercury the on-stage persona versus Freddie Mercury the man.  The vocalist of any band is typically charged with the duty of being a larger than life personality in order to engage the band’s audience.  What makes this important is that while he noted in one breath how much he loved being in this position, Freddie was also quite the private person offstage.  He notes in his interviews that he stayed mostly to himself when he was offstage.  that juxtaposition of his two different personas is so intriguing.  It’s just one more piece of what makes this new documentary so enjoyable and enlightening for Queen’s fans.  “Freddie Mercury:  The Great Pretender” offers plenty more for audiences in its near ninety minute run tim.  There are also bonus interviews to add even more depth to who this icon really was.  “Freddie Mercury:  The Great Pretender”  is available now in stores and online.  It can be ordered online at http://www.eagle-rock.com.

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it or its companion page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reel-Reviews/381028148587141.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at http://philspicks.wordpress.com.

New Eagle Rock DVD, Blu-Ray Presents The Life Of One Of Music’s Greatest Producers

Courtesy: Eagle Rock Entertainment/Eagle Vision

Andy Wallace.  Rick Rubin.  Bob Rock.  To most people, names such as these mean very little to most music lovers.  The names in question are those of some of the music industry’s most well known and respected producers.  Just as the director is the head of a movie, the producer is the head of a popular record’s creation.  Wallace, Rubin, and Rock are just three of a slew of other very famed names behind the boards.  Every generation has had its share of famed producers.  One of the most famous to this day is one George Martin.  Don’t know who he is?  Then a journey back in time in the brand new DVD, “Produced by George Martin” will introduce audiences…or rather re-introduce….them to a man who is perhaps one of the greatest producers ever.

George Martin is known largely for his work with one of rock music’s greatest bands ever.  The band in question is none other than The Beatles.  In the new DVD and blu-ray, audiences get a glimpse into how Martin rose from an impoverished youth to become an employee of Parlophone Records, and eventually the label’s head.  In between, he shares stories of his time serving in the military.  Under Martin’s leadership, Parlophone Records became one of Great Britain’s leading labels during the 1960’s.  And that was by and large due to having signed not only The Beatles, but also the lies of Peter Sellers (of the Pink Panther movie franchise) and Millicent Martin. 

One part documentary and one part video bio, “Produced by George Martin” tells Martin’s story through his own words and those of former Beatles, Ringo Starr and Sir Paul McCartney.  The presentation spends an expansive amount of time on Martin’s relationship with The Beatles early in the band’s career.  One of the funnier moments in Martin’s discussions with Ringo and Paul was that while he liked the band, he didn’t like the band’s original drummer.  Unknown to him though, while he was looking to get a session drummer to replace the band’s original drummer, the band had already replaced him with Ringo.  His wife is along for the ride, too for many of the stories, laughing and joking with him all the while.  As a matter of fact, the entire piece starts off by telling how George and his wife, Judy, met.  It’s set against the music of one of Britain’s greatest pop singers, Matt Monro.

For anyone who is an avid Beatles fan, or wants to even learn about one of the music industry’s most famed producers, “Produced by George Martin” is one of those pieces that’s worth the watch.  The actual presentation included on the DVD and blu-ray runs just short of an hour and a half.  However, there is nearly an hour’s worth of extra material that fans will love.  It should be noted though, that there is some brief language and nudity.  So some moments may not be suitable for some younger viewers.  That aside, it is still an interesting piece of music history for any fan of classic rock or music in general.

“Produced by George Martin” is available in stores and online now.  It can be ordered direct via Eagle Rock Entertainment’s website, http://www.eagle-rock.com. 

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it or its companion page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reel-Reviews/381028148587141.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at http://philspicks.wordpress.com.