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21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Vintage Duran, make no mistake., 29 July 2009
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.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant slice of pop history. From the early years of Duran Duran., 7 Aug 2009
Duran Duran are still evolving in 2009, but go back to 1982 and they were the newest pop sensation. In the previous year they had released their first album featuring Planet Earth and Girls On Film, then in 1982 they released the best album of their career, Rio. This concert captures them at the legendary Hammersmith Odeon in London on the 'Rio' tour.
The band, then aged 19 - 23 were just getting used to the limelight in the UK, their big break in America was yet to happen, so we see five guys performing their hearts out, playing songs that they'd written in the preceding 2 or 3 years.
What makes this concert brilliant, and the Rio album brilliant, is the strength of the songs that were not singles. You won't fail to be blown away by the excellent The Chauffeur and New Religion, and when you add them to the strong tracks of the first album Nightboat and Friends Of Mine, as well as all the singles, you get a fantastic 16 track concert DVD.
If you like Duran Duran, or are interested in the music of the early 80's, this DVD is essential. It captures the best band of the year performing a brilliant show. The set is a 16 track concert DVD with two BBC 'Top of The Pops' performances (Rio and Hungry), and a 10 free track audio CD of the concert. In fact, it's a bit of a bargain!
DVD Tracklist:
1. Rio, 2. Hungry Like The Wolf, 3. Night Boat, 4. New Religion, 5. Save A Prayer, 6. Planet Earth, 7. Friends Of Mine, 8. Careless Memories, 9. Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me), 10. Girls On Film, 11. My Own Way, 12. Hungry Like The Wolf, 13. Save A Prayer, 14. Lonely In Your Nightmare, 15. Rio, 16. The Chauffeur, 17. Hungry Like The Wolf (BBC TV's "'Top Of The Pops"' 13/5/82), 18. Rio (BBC TV's "'Top Of The Pops"' 18/11/82).
CD Tracklist:
1. Rio 2. Hungry Like The Wolf 3. Night Boat 4. New Religion 5. Save A Prayer 6. Planet Earth 7. Friends Of Mine 8. Careless Memories 9. Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me) 10. Girls On Film.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
About time!, 10 Aug 2009
If this is the live concert I think it is, then I'm a happy girl! I had this on video after taping it off the TV back in 1984, subsequently lent it to someone a few years later and thought I'd lost it forever. I must have watched it 100+ times and it is fabulous.
All the hits from the first two albums and not a dud amongst them. Plus a cover of Cockney Rebel's 'Come Up and See Me (Make Me Smile)' which later appeared as a b-side to 'The Reflex'.
Having seen the band play at the Forum a few years back, they are a sensational live act. This early footage shows a band on the verge of big things. There are more than a few bands out there now who could pick up a thing or two from what these boys were like live 27 years ago.
Bring on September!!
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![Classic Albums: Rio [DVD]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31LwasNnONL._SL500_SS90_.jpg)
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