Rating: Summary: Finally Review: One of the most interesting things about The Jam was listening to the music mature with each album released. "The Complete Jam DVD" adds the video dimension to this maturing process. The images take you from the early days when they were a high energy three piece slashing out punkish tunes to the final Motown influenced version of The Jam, complimented with a horn section, keyboards, and and background singers. It was truly a treat to see the videos and live performances of the songs I have loved for so many years. This DVD is a must have for any Jam fan, especially for us in the states who have been given little visual exposure to The Jam.
Rating: Summary: Setting Sons Review: Simply the greatest British band since The Beatles. I can assure my American cousins that being part of The Jam era in the UK was a privilege. This DVD goes someway to capturing what The Jam were and still are about: Honesty, passion, inspiration and above all else great music. The Jam were a spiritual band that challenged their audience, changed attitudes and changed lives. A light went out in 1982 when we lost them it still saddens me today but we still have the music and this great DVD to remember them by.
Rating: Summary: BRILLIANT, RIVETING...but NOT quite "COMPLETE"?? Review: The bottom line is: every JAM fan should own this immediately - the quality/range of the material included on this amazing 2-DVD set is AWESOME...BUT as much as love all the TV clips, archival footage (esp the cool "Meet the Jam" piece!), live segments, and videos, I do wish they would have included the VIDEO version of the Jam's final single, "BEAT SURRENDER" which I sometimes would see on early MTV - it's really polished and exciting, oh well...AND also, where is the stunning, raw set they did on ABC's early 80's late-night "FRIDAYS" show, etc. These omissions are the only reason why I docked it one star - since it's really not "complete" but for any JAM fans, even casual ones, this is a definite MUST-HAVE keeper DVD you will go back to again and again!! Makes you feel nostalgic and even a bit SAD for a time lost in pop/rock music, never to be returned! -
Rating: Summary: BRILLIANT, RIVETING...but NOT quite "COMPLETE"?? Review: The bottom line is: every JAM fan should own this immediately - the quality/range of the material included on this amazing 2-DVD set is AWESOME...BUT as much as love all the TV clips, archival footage (esp the cool "Meet the Jam" piece!), live segments, and videos, I do wish they would have included the VIDEO version of the Jam's final single, "BEAT SURRENDER" which I sometimes would see on early MTV - it's really polished and exciting, oh well...AND also, where is the stunning, raw set they did on ABC's early 80's late-night "FRIDAYS" show, etc. These omissions are the only reason why I docked it one star - since it's really not "complete" but for any JAM fans, even casual ones, this is a definite MUST-HAVE keeper DVD you will go back to again and again!! Makes you feel nostalgic and even a bit SAD for a time lost in pop/rock music, never to be returned! -
Rating: Summary: Jam On It Review: The Jam never really caught in America, but in their native England, they were quite possibly the biggest and most popular band of the late 70's and early 80's. A trio made up of lead singer and guitarist Paul Weller, bassist and backing vocalist Bruce Foxton and drummer Rick Buckler, the Jam emerged from the first wave of the British punk rock scene to achieve success by merging the power of the punk movement with the musical stylings of 60's mod groups like The Who, The Small Faces and most especially The Kinks from whom they got one of their biggest hits a cover of "David Watts". The group progressed to more a pop oriented sound toward the end of the 70's and then towards a heavy rhythm and blues sound (on which Paul Weller would further explore with The Style Council) for their final album. This DVD is a must for any fan of the band as it is made of two disks that include all their live TV performances as well as all their videos. The videos are mostly made up of the crude, elementary stylings of the early days of the genre, but they still capture the power of the band, but live performances show their true greatness.
Rating: Summary: Only two problems Review: There are only two things that detract from this terrific DVD: the exclusion (as another reviewer pointed out) of a performance of "Beat Surrender" (possibly from Top of the Pops or The Tube) that many of us remember seeing on MTV in the '80s, and the fact that the sound on many of the promo clips seems to be the original sound track off the old video tape, when the producers surely could have taken the time to replace the poor sound quality with remastered stereo tracks ("Absolute Beginners" and "Going Underground" are two that sound poor and monaural). But these clips are so undeniably cool that you won't regret buying this collection for a moment.
Rating: Summary: Bursting With Energy Review: These guys worked hard! They were an extremely impressive live act. Heck, they put so much energy into things that the silly lip-synch videos they cut (all included here) are reasonably entertaining.The live footage is extremely compelling. I can't imagine anyone who has at least a casual interest in The Jam not enjoying this. Paul Weller cut an extremely impressive figure during the group's prime years and the band sprayed as much energy across a stage as anyone ever has. Of all the segments here, the most incredible is the Swedish TV appearance. It consists of a tight "Absolute Beginners", a tight "Tales from the Riverbank" (including horns), a brief interview with a snotty Paul Weller, and then an astounding "Funeral Pyre" which has to be one of the more intense performances ever given.
Rating: Summary: Bursting With Energy Review: These guys worked hard! They were an extremely impressive live act. Heck, they put so much energy into things that the silly lip-synch videos they cut (all included here) are reasonably entertaining. The live footage is extremely compelling. I can't imagine anyone who has at least a casual interest in The Jam not enjoying this. Paul Weller cut an extremely impressive figure during the group's prime years and the band sprayed as much energy across a stage as anyone ever has. Of all the segments here, the most incredible is the Swedish TV appearance. It consists of a tight "Absolute Beginners", a tight "Tales from the Riverbank" (including horns), a brief interview with a snotty Paul Weller, and then an astounding "Funeral Pyre" which has to be one of the more intense performances ever given.
Rating: Summary: Great material Review: This is great material! Even if you're not a hardcore fan of the Jam you will be impressed by their power as a live band.
|