The Kinks - One for the Road

Rating:
Summary: Kinda Kinky!
Review: "One For The Road" shows the Kinks performing at the Providence Civic Center circa 1980. This is not an overproduced, slick concert with dazzling special effects filmed in a cavernous arena. It's a no frills, genuine rock and roll concert filmed in a fairly intimate, mid-size venue. You can almost smell the sweat and smoke. "All Day And All Of The Night" gets things off to a rocking start and whips the crowd into a frenzy. "Lola" is a definite crowd pleaser; who doesn't like a love song about a transvestite? Of course, several selections were taken from their most recent album at the time, "Low Budget." On one hand, that's one of their best albums, which makes for a very enjoyable concert. On the other hand, since there's only a dozen songs, many older classics from their vast repertoire were not included. Fortunately, a moving version of "Celluloid Heroes" and a blistering "You Really Got Me" are featured. The quintessential English song "Victoria" closes the concert out on a high note. Dave Davies provides humorous, if not always insightful, commentary. When talking about his physique back then he remarked, "I had the muscles. Ray had the bruises!" Being the only Kinks concert available on DVD at present, it is an essential purchase for every Kinks fan.

Rating:
Summary: Kinda Kinky!
Review: "One For The Road" shows the Kinks performing at the Providence Civic Center circa 1980. This is not an overproduced, slick concert with dazzling special effects filmed in a cavernous arena. It's a no frills, genuine rock and roll concert filmed in a fairly intimate, mid-size venue. You can almost smell the sweat and smoke. "All Day And All Of The Night" gets things off to a rocking start and whips the crowd into a frenzy. "Lola" is a definite crowd pleaser; who doesn't like a love song about a transvestite? Of course, several selections were taken from their most recent album at the time, "Low Budget." On one hand, that's one of their best albums, which makes for a very enjoyable concert. On the other hand, since there's only a dozen songs, many older classics from their vast repertoire were not included. Fortunately, a moving version of "Celluloid Heroes" and a blistering "You Really Got Me" are featured. The quintessential English song "Victoria" closes the concert out on a high note. Dave Davies provides humorous, if not always insightful, commentary. When talking about his physique back then he remarked, "I had the muscles. Ray had the bruises!" Being the only Kinks concert available on DVD at present, it is an essential purchase for every Kinks fan.

Rating:
Summary: Kinda Kinky!
Review: "One For The Road" shows the Kinks performing at the Providence Civic Center circa 1980. This is not an overproduced, slick concert with dazzling special effects filmed in a cavernous arena. It's a no frills, genuine rock and roll concert filmed in a fairly intimate, mid-size venue. You can almost smell the sweat and smoke. "All Day And All Of The Night" gets things off to a rocking start and whips the crowd into a frenzy. "Lola" is a definite crowd pleaser; who doesn't like a love song about a transvestite? Of course, several selections were taken from their most recent album at the time, "Low Budget." On one hand, that's one of their best albums, which makes for a very enjoyable concert. On the other hand, since there's only a dozen songs, many older classics from their vast repertoire were not included. Fortunately, a moving version of "Celluloid Heroes" and a blistering "You Really Got Me" are featured. The quintessential English song "Victoria" closes the concert out on a high note. Dave Davies provides humorous, if not always insightful, commentary. When talking about his physique back then he remarked, "I had the muscles. Ray had the bruises!" Being the only Kinks concert available on DVD at present, it is an essential purchase for every Kinks fan.

Rating:
Summary: Not a Klassic, but Still a Keeper
Review: Dave Davies nails it in his commentary: this period of Kinks history seems like a dream. The video documents that strange time in the 80s when the group found arena-rock fame, particularly in the U.S., and was playing to large houses --- complete with Spinal Tap moves. For those who prefer the cultish days of the 60s, or Ray Davies's ambitious concepts of the 70s, it's not a treasured era. At times, the Kinks come off as just another rock band. Yet Ray's songs are still in there, and he was in peak performing shape, so this DVD is worth owning as a period piece.
Unfortunately, the editing is ham-fisted. Songs are out of sequence, plenty of material from the show is missing and the beginning of Catch Me Now I'm Falling is just chopped right off. The audio commentary by Dave Davies is hit and miss: sometimes funny but more often of the "Oh, yeah. I remember this song! I used to love playing that!" variety. The brief tour through the Kinks London is fun, but the trivia quiz is lame.
All in all, a must for fans. Others should wait for a more definitive history.

Rating:
Summary: One for the Collection
Review: Fantastic footage from a late '70s concert in Providence, R.I. interlaced with running commentary by a ruminative latter-day Dave Davies. The concert can be viewed with or without commentary. Plus, there's a map and pictures of North London Kinksites. Any fan will enjoy this well-thought out and executed DVD.
I'd have liked more extra goodies befitting the DVD format, though; a very small complaint.

Rating:
Summary: Worth The Wait!
Review: Finally it's been re-released! I'd been looking for a copy of this video for the last 8 years or more. When I saw that it was scheduled for re-release I immediately signed up for an advance purchase so that whenever it came out I would get a copy. It captures the energy and excitement of a live Kinks performance as well as any film could. The music is great, as well as the stage presence of the band. I quickly sat down to watch it with my kids, since it is appropriate for all ages. Recorded in 1980, it's lacking the profanity and vulgarity that is so prevalent in music these days. My only complaint would be that it's not longer. 60 minutes leaves me wanting still more. Anyone who likes The Kinks even a little will love this video.

Rating:
Summary: Worth The Wait!
Review: Finally it's been re-released! I'd been looking for a copy of this video for the last 8 years or more. When I saw that it was scheduled for re-release I immediately signed up for an advance purchase so that whenever it came out I would get a copy. It captures the energy and excitement of a live Kinks performance as well as any film could. The music is great, as well as the stage presence of the band. I quickly sat down to watch it with my kids, since it is appropriate for all ages. Recorded in 1980, it's lacking the profanity and vulgarity that is so prevalent in music these days. My only complaint would be that it's not longer. 60 minutes leaves me wanting still more. Anyone who likes The Kinks even a little will love this video.

Rating:
Summary: GREAT DISC!!! FINALLY THEY'RE BACK
Review: I just got this disc today and was blown away. First of all the sound is awesome in 5.1. The picture could be better but I'd imagine that the source material is ancient. My favorite part of the disc though is DAVE DAVIES!! He's actually on the disc doing a running commentary and also does a couple songs on camera. Its great to see him as he is today. There's also a trivia game that was pretty easy for me but fun. Also a cool video tour of famous kinks jaunts that is like a subway map thing. I wish there were more songs but they play all the usual hits and a few more. Wish there was more from other Kinks members. Definitely get this one-for the road!

Rating:
Summary: GREAT DISC!!! FINALLY THEY'RE BACK
Review: I just got this disc today and was blown away. First of all the sound is awesome in 5.1. The picture could be better but I'd imagine that the source material is ancient. My favorite part of the disc though is DAVE DAVIES!! He's actually on the disc doing a running commentary and also does a couple songs on camera. Its great to see him as he is today. There's also a trivia game that was pretty easy for me but fun. Also a cool video tour of famous kinks jaunts that is like a subway map thing. I wish there were more songs but they play all the usual hits and a few more. Wish there was more from other Kinks members. Definitely get this one-for the road!

Rating:
Summary: Must-have for British Invasion fans!
Review: I was not overwhelmed by the video quality but it was quite acceptable considering the age of the tape. The music itself more than makes up for any questionable video quality, as there is a great combination of old and new (for that time, around 1980, I think) songs that are just a glimpse of Ray Davies' genius. The entire band rocks, though, and even at his age Ray Davies is quite the showman! He puts Mick Jagger to shame! Ray jumps, runs, poses, hams it up, and in spurts acts plain crazy! Even if you are not that familiar with The Kinks you will enjoy the music on this DVD. Dave Davies does a running commentary and at times is pretty funny, especially when he makes fun of himself. Wish there could have been more extras, such as more songs, more archive footage, and perhaps some commentary by Ray or an interview of him. Minor complaints aside, this DVD is still worth having. Get it before it goes out of print!