Live At Hammersmith '82 (Limited Edition) [CD+DVD]

It's only taken 27 years (blimey), but Duran live at London's Hammersmith Apollo has finally received a legitimate commercial release. I say legitimate because this film has been doing the rounds of DD fans for years, first on VHS and more recently via digital formats, and is considered something of a classic. For some reason EMI only saw fit to float it out to TV (where the bootlegs came from), and never sought to reap the harvest of Duran's emerging success. Perhaps, due to the band's potent way with a video, but without doubt to their detriment.

Filmed live at the tipping point, just as the band were about to hit big, all the signs are present; the factors that would lead to world domination within another three years: the band is tight, the playing is knock-out, the songs forged from raw gemstone, and the energy level is set to 'party'. The band had found a serious sound with their debut album, but with the Rio follow-up they had struck gold.

Unfortunately, the teen element of Duran's following would depth-charge any chance of the music press recognising the band for the major musicians they were (and are); and it's sad that it's taken as many years for the tang of teen frenzy to wear off allowing the band to finally receive the props they deserve. And worked for. Because when you see this (and if you have the money to spare you won't be disappointed, I guarantee) you'll realise that DD are grafters; they (not hype, nor PR spin) make the roof raise. Perhaps the band's success with videos was seen as more important, and the live scene was considered old hat. Who knows...

Now, with Andy Taylor gone once again, it's interesting revisiting this moment because it both highlights, and maps out the crucial DNA of Duran's synergic achievements: yes, there's blinding Chic-style basslines tightly wrapped around sharp drums, merging to magic up a fair old tempo; indeed, there are some great sequencer runs and synth stylings nabbed from Japan, and polished to perfection. But there, beneath Le Bon's canny (and highly under-rated) way with a vocal melody, lies the secret x factor: Andy Taylor's rock guitar powering the mix.

So often the latter is undervalued when talk turns to Duran; and it's worth stating that this really was the vital ingredient that sent them global, and enabled them to crack the American market. DD chanced across a fine commercial balance at the start of the '80s, blending pop with the high currency of rock; allowing the former to celebrate the latter without overpowering the music into niche territory. Without Duran Duran and Andy Taylor there would have been no Addicted to Love by Robert Palmer, arguably no high-watermark Def Leppard, and without either of these, no big pop of the eighties. Eighties pop may be all synths to the memory, but equally it was about the guitar finding a new place in the pop arena. And Duran came up with the recipe that would dominate the global charts for years to come. Other mainstream British acts (with the exception of U2) never had the guitars, so it just didn't happen.

Song-wise, you can't fault the set, compiled as it is from a cross-section of tracks from the first and second album. The surprise is that, given the dreaded potential of the term 'album track' this concert doesn't feel in any way (a) dated, or (b) topped off with filler. And very few bands from that period can say the same about the kinds of shows they were playing in '82. One key standout is New Religion, which is as potent as it ever was, and along with The Chauffeur is probably one of DD's best non-single releases.

Familiarity may render these tunes, and by association the band itself, less of a gem than they deserve, but this concert film will always remain a crucial testament to how mighty Duran can be on a good day's night.

Essential viewing.

I took delivery of this DVD last week and I've been watching it every day since. The live performance in this show has echoes of the later 'Arena' tour in 1984 but here we have the boys in a more edgy and 'party' mood. Absent are the subsequent 'Seven and the Ragged Tiger' songs but in their place we have the moody 'Friends of Mine' and a slow-burning 'Come up and see me' - both fantastic. Listening to the live CD is a revelation - Andy Taylor's voice backs up the big Le Bon choruses - on 'New Religion' we get a full measure of this and it works! Nick Rhodes is also in a playful mood throughout, throwing in some very melodic synth effects on most tracks which are not there in later live performances. The guitar work from both JT and AT is simply awesome. Here are two of the best new wave musicians in the world giving full vent to their craft - expect the unexpected on every track. The songs are top quality, the sound is tightening up and the energy on stage is almost brimming to explosive level - this is the moment that 5 young British men are on the verge of becoming the biggest pop band in the world. The quality of Duran Duran as both recording artists and live performers is captured perfectly on this release. It's a winner.

It was with eager anticipation that I received my copy of Duran Duran Live at Hammersmith Odeon this week. Duran are superb throughout the whole performance and the film captures the raw dynamism of the band as extremely talented song writers and musicians. This is especially impressive when you consider the average age of the band members at the time was 21.

This tour was before the Seven and the Ragged Tiger album when synthesisers took over and arguably dominated their reportoir. The sumptuous layering of slick guitars, syncopated bass, novel synths and powerful drums is clearly evident surmounted with great vocals by Simon Le Bon. This is a fantastic DVD worthy of any collection. The bonus live CD makes the whole package very good value. What are you waiting for! Buy it today!