Rating: Summary: It's Live For God's Sake Review: If you want perfect mixes and perfect sounds then go and listen to a studio album. This is a live DVD and should be judged so. It captures the moment, the concert and the crowd. If I wanted to hear a perfect rendition of the song then I would put on the studio version. I am not a big fan of live albums as such, but this is a visual event as well and, I love it through and through. Rush fans think that everything should be recorded perfectly and that we should have crystal clear productions on everything Rush do, yes in the studio maybe but this is LIVE and should be raw and edgy. ...I've watched this DVD everyday since purchase and just to see the crowd going nuts on YYZ is worth the money alone.
Rating: Summary: Shoddy? Nah! Great? Nah. Feels like home. Review: I have read a bundle of reviews for this DVD and I have to say I was a bit dissappointed that not many gave Rush the credit to do what many bands can't. I say "can't" because, there are bands out there now that cannot play live. They are so over-produced that it just sucks! To hear Rush live is like watching an incredibly skilled doctor perform a surgery he or she has done thousands of times. And why not? Rush has been performing live for centuries...I mean decades. The one thing that can separate Rush from the rest is their undying committment to playing well in all circumstances including a live setting. They sound good. As far as getting too much crowd noise, I think this DVD was NOT for their fans. It was for THEM. They wanted a memento. They wanted a final tribute, keepsake, or souvenir for themselves. They wanted it to sound like it does when we hear it. Putting special emphasis on the way the crowd made them feel as the night wore on. Why would they want a DVD of just them playing like it sounds in a studio? Stupid right? I applaud them for releasing this DVD. I was especially impressed with the documentary on the second disc. It showed what I longed to see, Rush without instruments. How are these people in the everyday world? What are they like? Are they jerks, cool guys, total nerds, what? The documentary showed a sense of humor and an explanation of compassion. It was great to see my all time favorite band, get angry, have fun, and pass time as normal people. Also, the easter egg of the video for Anthem is just humiliating. What a bunch of ugly people these guys were! That will make you smile! That alone is worth the money. My suggestion for any Rush fan is to have this souvenir, if you are not a Rush fan...well you decide. (Keep in mind that Rush may never tour again! There may not be another opportunity to see a show and this is the next best thing. I just hope Neil was serious when he said, "The next big thing, is never the next big thing for very long.")
Rating: Summary: Pass on this one- vocals missing Review: Who mixed this piece of trash? All I here on this DVD is crowd noise with heavy instrumentals. Geddy Lee's vocals are mixed in at such a low level, its hard to tell where he is in the song. As far as I'm concerned, whoever mixed this DVD should be fired and banned from additional DVD production. When you buy a DVD in Dolby 5.1, you expect vocals out of the center channel, instruments mainly out of the front left and right as well as a little out of the back left and right channels and crowd noise mixed in towards the end of the song (not blarring throughout).
Rating: Summary: Being in the Show Review: An excellent DVD of a LIVE show. The approach taken on this DVD seems one of kind. With the audio mix, it makes you feel that you are at a live show. It seems to be standard policy in record industry to only mix in the crowd sound in the beginning and end of songs. 'Too polished' (maybe). But this take - was just right, in fact adds a nice dimension to the show and the crowds 'must I say' were amazing. Singing along to almost everything. Visually, it also captures a live experience with Rush. The guys are in the 'pocket' with all the songs and have the energy that makes the songs feel fresh. The song list is an extensive one, covering many favs. This is a gotta have DVD.
Rating: Summary: There should be two sides to every review Review: I agree with just about every review here... weird eh ? Yes, the sound is not perfect; yes, you have to drop your rear speaker sound unless you want to be overwhelmed( as I would have been in the crowd itself); yes, the editing drives you nuts when it moves AWAY from someone starting a solo at just the wrong point ... But hey, as someone else says .... this is the product, this is it .. a DVD of a fantastic moment in time, and oh, dear, what a shame, it is not perfect .... tch, oh well, what is ? Yes, Joe Satrianis DVD is far better, but it is a hell of lot easier to concentrate on a "solo performer" than it is a "Group". Do we really have to learn what position Alex is on the guiitar from a DVD ... or should we just sit back and enjoy ? I would rather have a DVD of a truly excellent concert in "moderate" quality, than I would perfectly engineered rubbish. As a result of the reviews, I was expecting not to be impressed by this DVD ( at 50 you tend to get a bit picky! ) but from the outset, I had a tear in my eye with the emotion of it all; the fantastic energy and enthusiasm of the crowd is simply a joy; the obvious delight on Geddy and Alex' faces with such a fantastic response, and playing which they have rarely bettered. I have not had time to see the second DVD yet, the documentary, but who cares .. Reviewers ( the negative ones, I mean ) I agree with you, but this is a snapshot of a really rare event, the synergy of a mad crowd encouraging one of the all time great bands to outperform itself. If you want to sterilise the product, then what is the point ? Do you think everyone in the crowd heard every note ? Do you really have to hear EVERY note beofre you can enjoy it ? There is a description for this sort of thing !! ... and just one other point. These people are not gods. They are not all powerful, and as Neil says in the liner notes, there was no firm decision made well in advance to DVD this show. Gosh, they are human after all ! ... I for one, am eternally grateful they made the decision to record it, because it is one hell of a show. Just step back, see the crowd reaction in Spirit of Radio, and then ask yourself, have I ever given as much at a concert ? If, like me, you haven't then none of us have a right to ask for perfection ( not for $15 anyway !)
Rating: Summary: Hate to be cliché--the 2 stars are for it still being Rush. Review: ...Awful. I heard that the sound quality was terrible on 5.1 or 6.1 surround, but that it could be tolerable on crappy TV-speakers, but this is a damn lie. It's absolutely terrible, adjusted to any audio option my TV or the DVD itself offers. And it's not even consistent with its own awfulness. It's sporadically more awful in random places. The directing is actually okay, I think--the visual is pretty good. In some spots, it is kinda choppy...But for the most part it's nice. So I really could not honestly recommend this. I hear the CD is actually mastered well. Check on that...don't waste your money. ~Nate.
Rating: Summary: Rush fans NEED NOT be disappointed with this item. Review: Excellent video quality Documentary/Bonus disc almost worth the price alone! Excellent set list Vibrant, fun crowd participation. The sound quality is that of what you might hear at a LIVE ROCK CONCERT. If you want studio-quality sound, buy a studio album. I believe the crowd sounds make the show more fun and alive. The only reason for the 4 stars instead of 5 is the excessive jumpcut editing. Otherwise, the DVD is awesome. It captures the band in their live essence.
Rating: Summary: Rush in Rio .......Excellent! Review: Rush rocks the stadium with 29 tunes of pure guitar, drums and bass! The fans are going wild the whole time. Do not be swayed by the armchair audiophiles commenting on sound quality (it's great!)...you will get what you pay for and much more! Second DVD in package has mini documentary titled "Boys in Brazil"... all three days in Brazil on camera and behind the scenes. The DVD is a must for anyone that is a Rush fan.
Rating: Summary: Absolutely Awful--except for the soup. Review: I see 313 reviews here and a total of four stars!!!! What are all of you thinking???? The audio mix clearly sucks bananas! Whoever mixed the sound was obviously asleep!!! In 5.1 surround the audience drowns out the band! Plain and simple. In the 2.0 stereo mix, the sound is slightly better, but the drums, bass, guitar, vocals and crowd noise sound like an jumbled monstrosity! Who mixed this??!!! I want their heads! Neil, Geddy and Alex, did you listen to this before it went to press???? How can you do this to your fans?!! The set list, the playing, and everything else are good about this dvd. To those of you who think I'm crazy or deaf, consider this: You should not have to tweak any of your home theatre equipment to get great sound! Case in point: Go rent or buy Toto's "25th Anniversary Concert" dvd and hear for yourself what a concert dvd should sound like in 5.1!!!!! It's excellent! Hell, go rent or buy Peter Gabriel's 1994 concert dvd "Secret World Live". It wasn't originally recorded in 5.1 and IT sounds light years better than this dvd! What a wasted concert event. You have 2 hours and 51 minutes of great concert footage all ruined by the sound engineer! Note to the band: GET A NEW ENGINEER TO MIX THIS AND RE-RELASE THE DVD! As for the second disc containing the 54 minute documentary. Again, horrible sound mix!!!! Unbelievable! I mean it's just a documentary and the sound is still messed up in 2.0 stereo!!! The documentary is decent with all band members giving some insight into the behind-the-scenes. That's why I give this dvd one star (well, I can't give it no stars!) Obviously, I'm preaching to the wrong crowd--the fans. Those who are not fans probably will not buy this dvd. However, if you are a hardcore fan thinking about purchasing this product, be forewarned about the audio mix and steer clear until the band release something better produced!
Rating: Summary: I'm amazed I watched the same DVD as some of you....... Review: I am amazed that any Rush or non-Rush fan could give this DVD such negative reviews. Yes, Geddy Lee's vocals are a little low and the camera angles jump a bit. How many of you don't look around when you are at a show? I have some good Infinity speakers and an old Kenwood receiver with built in equalization. I also have a stand alone equalizer. I had absolutely no trouble with the sound in two channel stereo. As a matter of fact it might be one of the best sounding. Most of these DVD's sound bolder and better in two channel sound. As far as crowd noise....it is a live show isn't it? No mix for such a large event is ever perfect. Also, someone stated the group looked tired? I didn't see any of that. Folks, go buy this. You won't be disappointed at all.
|