Long Ryders - Rockin at the Roxy [DVD]

 

 

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The beginning of 2002 sees the dawn of a new generation of media for Long Ryders fans worldwide. This official release from Classic Pictures Entertainment sees The Long Ryders first appearance on DVD and the first ever officially available live footage of the band.
The main footage is comprised of a 16 song live set recorded at The Roxy in Los Angeles in February 1986 featuring the Long Ryders line-up of Griffin/McCarthy/Sowders/Stevens. The set comprises tracks from 10-5-60, Native Sons and State Of Our Union and is typical of the band's act at the time, coming in at just under an hour in length.
It kicks off with helicopter shots of the west coast, downtown LA, the Hollywood sign, finally focusing on the outside of The Roxy, with the band arriving in a taxi and the opening bars of Lights Of Downtown can be heard before we finally see the band on-stage.
The highlights are perhaps as expected in the form of Run Dusty Run ("about a horse" according to Sid's intro), the always awesome Ivory Tower, and a superb run through Capturing The Flag. There's little between song chat, just the odd thank you from Sid and the odd one line intro to a song, but for the mostpart the songs run into one another with little pause for breath.
As the set progresses there's a typically wild run through State Of My Union and a sizzling version of Still Get By before the band thrash through the inevitable Looking For Lewis And Clark with Sid ending the song with the words "Thanks for putting up with us. The set ends with 10-5-60, complete with 2 young guys 'dancing' on stage, much to Sid and Stephen's amusement, after which the credits roll and we fade out the sound over scenes of a surfer plying his trade.
Like most DVDs these days there are 'special features'. These include a band biography; an album discography; small profiles of the band members ; and an acoustic session with Sid Griffin.
It is this last which is really the highlight and makes this DVD a must to get hold of. Recorded at Shepperton Studios it features just 5 tracks sung by Sid, accompanied only by a 12 string acoustic guitar and the occasional backing tape. This is almost like a mini solo concert, with Sid chatting and introducing the songs. Beginning with Jimmy Reed, Sid mentions the genesis of the song in hearing John Peel playing something by the man himself and typically throws in a rock'n'roll anecdote, this time about The Rolling Stones. After the song, he goes on to briefly describe the birth of The Long Ryders, out of The Unclaimed, the name from the western film and bringing in the various band members. He also talks about how the band merged 60s harmonies with a punkish energy to produce The Long Ryders contribution to music scene. Prior to Flak Jacket, which he says the band were recording for a never made fourth album, he says to the camera that if Island Records are listening "If you'd like us to do that fourth album, we're ready"! Sid then waxes lyrical about the Paisley Underground 'scene' and how half a dozen bands suddenly became a 'movement', before giving a wonderful representation of Capturing The Flag. Before moving on to two songs from Western Electric's debut, Sid talks about his movement away from 'pub rock' towards a more bluegrass Coal Porters and the trip-hop/alt-country style of Western Electric. Faithless Disciple and Emily In Ginger are both covered with the help of a backing track but come across very well, the latter according to Sid encapsulating what Western Electric are now doing musically. Though this section is just Sid and a guitar it really works. There are just 2 angles, side-on and one through the window of the recording booth but Sid's songs and stories and his overall presence is so captivating that it is almost impossible to tear yourself away from the 30 minutes set.
I think the guys at Classic Pictures have got a good release here, especially with the additional footage of Sid playing solo. If you get the chance - indulge yourself.

I've been a fan of this group since the late 80's and have seen them live a few times in London and was knocked out by the shows-hence buying this DVD. The band are trying hard - but both the production and post production leave a lot to be desired. The sound is lack-lustre with Sid's guitar way down in the mix. It looks like the gig was filmed with the house lights up - thus creating zero atmosphere.... The audience seem lame and like a bunch of preppy, soon to be accountants.

Having seen the band at the Hammersmith Clarendon Hotel in London - I actually found this pretty unwatchable.

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