Live At Vallhall (CD + DVD) [CD+DVD, NTSC]

I have only recently 'discovered' A-Ha and so do not have the years of experience that seasoned fans and critics use to write reviews. But I just had to tell you that the DVD has given me hours of bliss - utter bliss. I became completely oblivious to the present time while watching it. It was as though I was at the concert and the past 8 years just melted away. As well as the concert, the DVD is packed full of extras. It's an absolutely wonderful bundle of A-Ha joy for a novice like me.

My journey to this find started when I downloaded some MP3s from The Definitive Singles Collection: 1984-2004 and just couldn't stop playing them. I knew then that I needed more A-Ha - especially a video to see them perform.

I searched Amazon and chose this CD+DVD over the DVD-only version so that I could listen to the CD while I cook and so on. As there was very little information with this 2-disc version I got it all from the product page of the DVD-only version - A-Ha - Homecoming - Live At Vallhall [DVD] [2002] - which also includes lots of buyers reviews.

I am so pleased that I chose to ignore a very negative review on this product page and went with my instincts, plus a lot of help from the other reviewers, to find this priceless jewel.

The DVD content is a must-have. It gets 5 stars. I take 2 out for this edition: the CD does not bring anything more as the songs get butchered and badly edited. I would advise you to go for the original DVD only release.

I was in the crowd at that concert, and I loved every minute of it. Getting to live it again with this DVD is a real treat. If Magne is the most talkative, Paul is obviously enjoying himself playing guitar (he rocks) and singing backing vocals. He is keeping an eye on everyone on stage. Morten has the difficult task to pull out some often very demanding songs until the end. I still think singing "Summer Moved On" at the end of a concert is suicidal, but he seems to go through it without problem. The backing band is doing a great job and the graceful Anelli Drecker (from the Norwegian band Bel Canto) brings a welcome feminine presence on stage.

The track list is a mix of old and new songs. There are the crowd pleasers: the inevitable "Take On Me", "Hunting High and Low" (listen to the crowd singing), "The Living Daylights", "The sun always shines on TV" and "Manhattan Skyline" to name but a few. The new songs are much more alive than in the studio version thanks to the band rockier sound: "Minor earth major Sky", "The sun never shone that day", the nice ballad "You'll never get over me".... Only sad note: the second encore "Angel" was cut from the DVD. My personal highlights: the 'unplugged' part of the concert, with piano/guitar/voice versions of "Stay On These Roads" or "Crying in the rain" and the wonderful "Mary Ellen Makes The Moment Counts" and Anneli's entry on "I wish I cared" with the little game between Morten and her.

The bonus features are a goldmine. The 4 videos of the Minor Earth album are included. There is a long interview of the three guys and informative individual reports about their whereabouts during the 7 years of separation (including the videos for Magne "Dragonfly" and Savoy "Star"). You also get an acoustic set recorded for Norwegian TV in honour of a Norwegian charity. There is a short 'backstage' feature, and a small report 'in the bus'. You will get a short glimpse of the atmosphere at the 'a-ha fan party' that followed the concert and a 'facts sheet' with biography and career summary.

If You are true a-ha fun, don't waste Your money on that CD/DVD.
It's better to buy original release of DVD and enjoy the video only.
Tracks on the CD are mixed (not on oryginal order) and have CUT ENDS!
I bought that CD with main reason to hear concert version of "Mary Ellen Makes The Moment Count" 'cause I love it and producer cut it in best moment when Paul plays incredible guitar solo. I was so angry that I wanted burn and smash that CD. It's unforgiven fault.