The Event [DVD]

The back cover of the CD booklet mentioned of the DVD which I eventually purchased. It told the story of a great and memorable evening for Cliff and all those involved along with the 144,000 fans over the 2 nights.

What was missing in the DVD was the appearance of THE SHADOWS. They were advertised as the special guests and in the CD, they actually took part in The Young Ones and In The Country.

I did not see them in the DVD. No doubt they played The Young Ones in the Photo Gallery where it showed Cliff with Hank Marvin and Bruce Welch (?) together, but why was this left out of the DVD? I am sure the DVD could take in additional 2 songs or so.

That was the only sorely missed portion of the DVD, otherwise a great great DVD!!!

The set-list is fantastic; it opens with a half-hour tribute to the 1950s TV show "Oh Boy" on which Cliff first made it, with Cliff joined by the Dallas Boys, the Vernons Girls and The Kalin Twins. There are sweeping harmonic rock n roll medleys, colourful dancing as well as solo numbers. Cliff darts like an electric lithely and athletically across the whole stage. Highlights are (for me) Cliff's solo version of "Always" and the harmonic versions of "The Girl Can't Help It" and "The Glory Of Love" as well as the enchanting final medley.

It is followed by a high-octane 20-song Cliff solo set, backed magnificently by Cliff's live band led by guitarist John Clark, one of Cliff's most stunningly beautiful and powerful live sets ever. It opens with a heavily rocked-up "Wired For Sound" followed by a passionnately anguished "Dreamin'" (two of my all time favourite songs). It ranges from superb early rock n roll covers ("Shake Rattle and Roll", "Good Golly Miss Molly") to classy modern ballads ("Dreamin'", "Joanna", "The Best Of Me") to gospel rock ("Fighter/Thief In The Night", "From A Distance") and dance ("Stronger Than That", "Just Don't Have The Heart"). The recording is a production masterpiece. Possibly Cliff's band's finest hour. The songs from Cliff's then latest album "Stronger" and previous (the fantasy-rich "Always Guaranteed") have darker, sultrier, heavier mixes that lean towards rock and take them out of the pop sphere ("Two Hearts", on the studio album a rather unremarkable ballad imo, here showcases possibly the finest guitar I've ever heard, and Cliff is fired up too; and the soaring and lusciously sung "Remember Me", a brilliantly structured Alan Tarney composition, is unforgettable as Cliff is lifted up on the platform.) Cliff's biggest selling single worldwide "We Don't Talk Anymore" is given an upbeat dance remix with harmonies that melt you like chocolate and just suck you in. The gospel songs are uplifting and majestic and you feel a sense of the warmth and emotion that engulfed Wembley stadium on the night of filming. Cliff is clearly transported by that feeling as is evident as he dedicates "The Best Of Me" to the crowd and weeps at the end of peace anthem "From A Distance" mounted on the platform for the finale.

It's an inimitably atmospheric concert; the glistening packed stadium; the sunset, the darkening sky, the big sound, Cliff's sensuous voice, which sounds as beautiful on here as anything ever could; and the mutual love and affection between Cliff and his fans.
I really, really did not want it to end. I enjoyed it just so much, am addicted to it and I can't describe the talent that shines on there (and I don't just mean Cliff, yeah I do mean him but the whole show, every musician, performer and dancer.) If you are a fan of pop/rock music, you will surely fall in love with this dvd. Don't miss it!

I bought this DVD because my VHS copy of the ITV showing is not that brilliant, and has been played quite a bit. It really shows everybody - audience and performers - having a great time.

Both concerts have been remastered and the original 4:3 aspect has been retained. A thoroughly enjoyable 2-DVD set.