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Product Description
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Few bands can bridge the high art/low art divide quite so artfully as the Pet Shop Boys, and few albums document such a skill quite as neatly as Concrete. A performance recorded at the Mermaid Theatre in London for broadcast on Radio 2, Concrete lines up some impressive special guests (Robbie Williams, Rufus Wainwright and star producer Trevor Horn, here playing the role of 'musical director' and more humbly, bassist) for a run through a greatest hits set with a couple of surprises along the way. Affairs commence with operatic vocals and a flourish of strings, but it's mere seconds before "Left To My Own Devices" matches sweeping violins to nightclub pulse, Neil Tennant restating the Pet Shop manifesto of "Che Guevara and Debussy to a disco beat". The between-song introductions might be annoying to the casual listener, but the mix of orchestral and digital works well throughout and the guest spots are exemplary set-pieces spiked with wry humour and genuine pathos. Hear the strings wilt as Rufus Wainwright sings "couldn't get an erection" on the epic "Casanova In Hell", or Robbie Williams sweeping on from side-stage for an earnest run through the first song the Pet Shop Boys ever wrote, "Jealousy". –-Louis Pattison
Product Description
PET SHOP BOYS Concrete - In Concert At The Mermaid Theatre (2006 UK 17-track 2-CD album set featuring their complete concert performance with the BBC Concert Orchestra recorded live at the Mermaid Theatre on Monday 8th May 2006 with musical direction from Trevor Horn and special guest appearances from Robbie Williams Rufus Wainwright & Frances Barber including Rent You Only Tell Me You Love Me When Youre Drunk The Sodom And Gomorrah Show Numb Its A Sin West End Girls and more...)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
The Pet Shop Boys may no longer be the chart-conquerors they were in the 'Eighties, but they have continued to produce high-quality electro-pop (with a couple of minor bumps, most notably the ill-advised 'Release') and in my opinion remain the best lyricists in the business.
This concert, performed with the BBC Orchestra and a smattering of special guests, perfectly illustrates their unique talent for straddling the divide between mainstream populism (is that a word?) and high art. The songs have been selected from across their whole career, including side projects such as the Dusty and Liza collaborations and 'Battleship Potemkin', but with an understandable focus on current album 'Fundamental'. Neil is in fine voice, and the orchestral arrangements perfectly compliment the material; in fact, it works so well, I wish they'd do a whole new studio album with a full orchestra. Guests Rufus Wainwright, Francis Barber and Robbie Williams all do admirable jobs with their respective tracks, but never overshadow the music. Personally I found the brief spoken introductions by Neil added to the atmosphere rather than detracting from it.
So, another quality release which won't sell in the quantities it deserves to, but as long as the Pet Shop Boys keep on making music, we shouldn't complain.
This concert, performed with the BBC Orchestra and a smattering of special guests, perfectly illustrates their unique talent for straddling the divide between mainstream populism (is that a word?) and high art. The songs have been selected from across their whole career, including side projects such as the Dusty and Liza collaborations and 'Battleship Potemkin', but with an understandable focus on current album 'Fundamental'. Neil is in fine voice, and the orchestral arrangements perfectly compliment the material; in fact, it works so well, I wish they'd do a whole new studio album with a full orchestra. Guests Rufus Wainwright, Francis Barber and Robbie Williams all do admirable jobs with their respective tracks, but never overshadow the music. Personally I found the brief spoken introductions by Neil added to the atmosphere rather than detracting from it.
So, another quality release which won't sell in the quantities it deserves to, but as long as the Pet Shop Boys keep on making music, we shouldn't complain.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Start with the princes of pop, add a sprinkling of their biggest hits, don't forget to add a 72 piece orchestra, garnish with some big stars including Robbie Williams and Rufus Wainwright and you have the Pet Shop Boys finest hour (or so!)
I was lucky enough to be in the audience for this one off BBC concert and without question, it's one the greatest live concerts I have seen and heard.
I left the auditorium, like everyone else that evening, realising that I had experienced something very special and hoped that I would have the pleasure of listening to it again, on my hi-fi, in full, glorious CD quality. My hopes have been realised with Concrete!
PSB's music rises beautifully to the treatment of the BBC Concert Orchestra, the arrangements are very special indeed and Trevor Horn's production, as always, is impeccable.
I rarely like 'live' albums - this one, however is different and worth investing for your library.
On the press copy of the album that arrived today, there is not a dud track on this double album - from the moment the strings rise for the opening number, to the inevitable encore of 'West End Girls', Concrete proves that PSB are our finest purveyors of pop and should be cherised forever.
It's an often muted cliche that the BBC is a national treasure. Well, thanks to them, we have a unforgettable night of music on record for eternity, and I for once, don't begrudge paying my licence fee! It was worth every penny for this one night only!
Now experience Pet Shop Boys and a 72 piece orchestra for yourself. You won't believe your ears!
I was lucky enough to be in the audience for this one off BBC concert and without question, it's one the greatest live concerts I have seen and heard.
I left the auditorium, like everyone else that evening, realising that I had experienced something very special and hoped that I would have the pleasure of listening to it again, on my hi-fi, in full, glorious CD quality. My hopes have been realised with Concrete!
PSB's music rises beautifully to the treatment of the BBC Concert Orchestra, the arrangements are very special indeed and Trevor Horn's production, as always, is impeccable.
I rarely like 'live' albums - this one, however is different and worth investing for your library.
On the press copy of the album that arrived today, there is not a dud track on this double album - from the moment the strings rise for the opening number, to the inevitable encore of 'West End Girls', Concrete proves that PSB are our finest purveyors of pop and should be cherised forever.
It's an often muted cliche that the BBC is a national treasure. Well, thanks to them, we have a unforgettable night of music on record for eternity, and I for once, don't begrudge paying my licence fee! It was worth every penny for this one night only!
Now experience Pet Shop Boys and a 72 piece orchestra for yourself. You won't believe your ears!
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
You might find yourself asking the question "is there any need for a Pet Shop Boys live cd" and you wouldn't be alone. I mean I'm a huge PSB fan and I've got a CD of the Performance tour but is there any real need for an official release? You might find yourself thinking there isn't and you may well be right but that would disguise the fact that whilst a PSB live CD may never be a "must have" this two disc set is actually well worth investing in.
Of course being PSB it could never be a straight Live album; this one sees them backed by the BBC concert orchestra and helped by some special guests (Robbie Williams, Rufus Wainwright, Frances Barber) to bring you songs that stretch right across their varied back catalouge.
The special guests for the most part add a lot to the proceedings. Ok, Frances Barber isn't a singer and that is proved as she sings Friendly Fire (taken from the Closer to Heaven musical), but Robbie Williams is suprisingly effective taking the lead on Jealousy. It's Rufus Wainwright who steals the show in terms of guest spots though, transforming the Fundamental misfire Casanova In Hell into something quite special indeed, not least because he can bring the overwrought passion missing from the original to bear.
But even without the guests there would be much to admire. The version of Rent may only be a re-working of the Liza Minelli version, but it's no less satisfying for that. The Sodom And Gommorah Show leaves us in no doubt as to why it's become such a huge live favourite, whilst old Trevor Horn collaborations It's Alright and Left To My Own Devices sound as fresh as ever.
To round things off there are also vital and exciting re-workings of a couple of classics, West End Girls and It's a Sin and you have an album which confounds the expectations I had coming into it (namely that it would all be a bit pointless). Sure it's hardly likely to convert the non-believers, but anyone whose love of the Pet Shop Boys extends beyond the hits to be found on Pop Art is likely to enjoy this very much indeed.
Of course being PSB it could never be a straight Live album; this one sees them backed by the BBC concert orchestra and helped by some special guests (Robbie Williams, Rufus Wainwright, Frances Barber) to bring you songs that stretch right across their varied back catalouge.
The special guests for the most part add a lot to the proceedings. Ok, Frances Barber isn't a singer and that is proved as she sings Friendly Fire (taken from the Closer to Heaven musical), but Robbie Williams is suprisingly effective taking the lead on Jealousy. It's Rufus Wainwright who steals the show in terms of guest spots though, transforming the Fundamental misfire Casanova In Hell into something quite special indeed, not least because he can bring the overwrought passion missing from the original to bear.
But even without the guests there would be much to admire. The version of Rent may only be a re-working of the Liza Minelli version, but it's no less satisfying for that. The Sodom And Gommorah Show leaves us in no doubt as to why it's become such a huge live favourite, whilst old Trevor Horn collaborations It's Alright and Left To My Own Devices sound as fresh as ever.
To round things off there are also vital and exciting re-workings of a couple of classics, West End Girls and It's a Sin and you have an album which confounds the expectations I had coming into it (namely that it would all be a bit pointless). Sure it's hardly likely to convert the non-believers, but anyone whose love of the Pet Shop Boys extends beyond the hits to be found on Pop Art is likely to enjoy this very much indeed.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A Class apart
Not initially known for their live performances (they always maintained that their unique sound was too complicated to reproduce live), Pet Shop Boys have become a class live act... Read more
Published on 13 May 2009 by Captain Pugwash
The Boys are back in Town
This 2CD live album features Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe at their ultimate best. The most amazing thing about this album is the inclusion of the BBC Concert Orchestra, as well as... Read more
Published on 28 July 2007 by Robert Petersen
PopArt, Opera.... Popera?
Coming an unfeasably short time after May's "Fundamental", the oddly titled "Concrete" is that most unusual of Pet Shop Boys concepts - the live album. Read more
Published on 30 Jun 2007 by Mr. M. A. Reed
Neil Tennant can do no wrong.
I was so happy when it was announced this was coming out on CD! It's a brilliant album and reinforces my 21+ years of being a diehard PSB fan. Read more
Published on 9 Jan 2007 by Michelle A. Brooks
Energetic
Being exclusively a metal/rock fan during the late 80's early 90's I didn't pay much mind to this type of music. There is however no escaping the PSB hit songs like West End Girls. Read more
Published on 13 Dec 2006 by E. Hashim
Class production
You may have heard all these songs before, but with a full orchestra and recorded live, together with that sprinkle of Trevor Horn magic this is a must-have for any PSB fan. Read more
Published on 1 Nov 2006 by D. Cooper
What have we done to deserve this?
I've always hated "live" albums and I've always loved Pet Shop Boys. So when the two meet, what happens?
Actually, it's nothing to get excited about. Read more
Actually, it's nothing to get excited about. Read more
Published on 25 Oct 2006 by R. Bingham
A Special Show
This is a very good show, my only complaint is that it comes far too soon after Fundamental and surely buries that album. Read more
Published on 7 Oct 2006 by Oded Regev
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