Amazon.co.uk Review
Originally performed and broadcast for A&E on May 7, 2004 from Manhattan's John Jay College,
Blondie: Live by Request finds New York City's cherished punk-popsters older, rounder, and still in possession--if not always in complete control--of the fire needed for credible performances of classics like "Dreaming," "Rapture," "Call Me," and "Heart of Glass." The 2004 Blondie includes founders Deborah Harry, Chris Stein, and Clem Burke solidly backed by Paul Carbonara (guitar), Kevin Topping (keyboards), and Leigh Foxx (bass). The disc's 17 tracks comprise Blondie's biggest hits, with "Atomic" notably absent and four cuts from 2003's
Curse of Blondie (including a touching tribute to Joey Ramone) holding their own against the tried and true. Harry remains her flamboyant self, compensating for a diminishing vocal range with fresh phrasings and boundless pizzazz. Lead guitarist Stein seems lost at times, while drummer Burke plays tighter than ever, cementing the songs with a mix of disco sass and punk fervor. Keep your remote handy: caller requests and the show's vapid emcee get old fast.
DVD sound is timbrally on target but dynamically compressed to within an inch of its life, but the mix breathes better in surround (Dolby or DTS) and it's easier on the ears in DTS. --Michael Mikesell
Synopsis
In a career spanning three decades, American rockers Blondie have racked up an impressive six UK No.1s, 14 Top 20 hits, and 19 Top 40 hits. After the band split in 1982, they returned with NO EXIT in 1999, which reached No.3 in the charts and has so far sold 160,000 units. Shot in New York's John Jay College, BLONDIE - LIVE BY REQUEST features recent concert footage of the band performing their classic songs as well as newer material.
See all Reviews