Hail! Hail! Rock 'N' Roll (2 Disc Set) [DVD] [2007] [NTSC]

This concert was put on to celebrate Chuck Berry's 60th birthday in 1986 and the show itself is marvellous. There is a parade of special guests including Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, Etta James, Julian Lennon and Linda Ronstadt. Not to mention Chuck Berry's longtime Piano player Johnny Johnson and a few other well known musicians (Chuck Lavell for example). The renditions of the Chuck Berry songs are great and virtually all the classics are performed. Keith Richards who was the musical director for the show, has the best moment in the concert when Chuck (in the middle of a song) says lets change key. Keith tells Chuck in no uncertain terms its not going to happen!

However what makes this film so special is what we learn about Chuck Berry the man, rather than the musician. Throughout the film stories are told, and confirmed by Chuck himself of his refusal to play a gig unless he is paid in cash. In fact he also refused to take part in any of the documentary scenes unless he was paid in cash each day. There are scenes with the film crew waiting on day 1 of the shoot and no Chuck because no cash! Theres a whole load of marvellous stories involving among others Bruce Springsteen (who with an early incarnation of the E Street band used to back Chuck) and Jerry Lee Lewis.

The bonus disc is equally good with a lot of great rehearsal material featuring most of the artists mentioned above. These were done with multiple cameras so the DVD has a multi-screen format and you can choose to watch all the views on a split screen or select one and focus on a particular musician.

Sadly this isn't avialable on region 2. However if you have a multi-region player this is a fabulous buy. Note there is also a 4 DVD version as well - worth considering!

I was expecting a typical bio type DVD on one of Rock and Roll's founders,but actually this film lets you see a little of the 'real' Chuck Berry. He appears as a man who is much embittered by the race segregation of his youth, and who would blame him, but its interesting that he is clearly still bitter 50 years on, despite being heralded as a great performer by both black and white audiences. Driven by money - to the extent that he pretty much ruined his celebration concert by accepting a cash gig just prior to the event and had to perform with a shot voice!! Excellent production and very well filmed, not a typical bio by any means, but a very revealing documentary about the man himself. Highly recommended and entertaining.

Anyone who loves Rock'n'Roll will be blown away by this DVD set. Keith Richards has an uphill struggle on his hands to contain the unruly rocker but the end result is brilliant. Out and out R'n'R at it's best! The DVD of the rehersals and the concert itself are worth the price alone, but couple that with some brilliant jamming with Chuck, Eric Clapton and Johnny Johnson on the second DVD and you have as near to perfection as you will ever get. Just go and buy it.