David Byrne - Live at Union Chapel

Rating:
Summary: Science is Fun
Review: As far as I'm concerned, David Byrne is one of the most creative, multi-talented musicians alive today. He is, without a doubt, a genius. I was lucky enough to see him perform on his Backwards Life tour, and hands down, it was the most incredible, energetic, and beautiful performance I've ever seen. The audience was alive, Mr. Byrne and the band were fired up and virtually steam rolling us with energy - amazing (I hopped and danced so much my legs were cramping the next day on my bike ride). I pre-ordered the DVD and couldn't wait to watch it. The venue is dramatic and gorgeous; a stained glass rich chapel with ornate wood structures, but the audience is dead, like zombies, or white neo-conservatives watching a movie about how to build a bomb shelter in their backyards. The lack of energy seems to affect Mr. Byrne and the band, particularly Mauro, who in my recollection was a breath taking flurry of intricate rhythm and complex variance. The entire performance appears to be dampened by the complacency of the crowd. Even 'U.B. Jesus', which had me dancing in my living room, couldn't get them off their feet. His music, as always, is impeccable. However it seems that a livelier venue would have helped better convey the power and magnitude of Mr.Byrne's talent and passion to those who missed his live performance.

Rating:
Summary: No talking, just perform!
Review: David Byrne continues to be my favorite artist. This is a good concert, very representative of his last tour. It's not the most energetic concert, but it is great to see David comfortable on stage. Whay really bothers me about this DVD is the interview/interludes between every song. Sheesh! Save it for the commentary track!

Rating:
Summary: Burning Down the Chapel
Review: David Byrne is amazing and this DVD is every bit as nuanced and inventive and humourous and fun as STOP MAKING SENSE. It hasn't the manic over the top energy of the TH film, but it is just as brilliant a concert. Byrne is in spectacular form and after so many years of wandering about in wherever he was wandering about, this tour presents him with his vision fully formed and heading in exciting directions.
The instrumentation is more stripped down than in SMS, but old chestnuts from his previous life as well as new songs from his most recent disc are each delivered with passion and commitment. This must have been an extraordinary experience. Even on DVD, it is hard to resist the urge to dance hurky-jerky with the Pinnochio of Rock. His limbs are as limber as ever and his oddness has all the same endearing elements to it as he has ever had, and now with the years registered in his grey hair and his wisdom infused with time, his observations pack a poignancy you don't get from many another.
I really can't pick out a highlight. Maybe "Naive Melody", which carries all the same emotional honesty now as it ever has. In so many ways, he is "the same as he ever was," only with the grace of time deepening his shadow. Union Chapel looks terrific in the film. The setting is beyond perfect for Byrne. Production quality is of the highest calibre. You would expect nothing less from him. From "Nothing But Flowers" through to the encore, this is a categorcial triumph as a film, as music, as an emotional sojourn. Great stuff. Hope you pick this up and enjoy it.

Rating:
Summary: This Is Personal, David
Review: David Byrne's music is important, so I will treat it thusly. My personal relation to it goes deep and my respect for Mr. Byrne goes as far as my love for his music. I love his solo stuff just as much as Talking Heads and own every piece of work the man has ever done. So, first off, I agree with reviewer Tiffany N. Allmandinger. The experience watching this DVD just doesn't compare to seeing him live. I saw David perform for my first time at the Apollo Theatre during his Eyeball tour in 2001 and immediately became a fan. A month later he preformed again for four nights at the Bowery Ball Room in Manhathen and of course I was there for each night. Then I saw him perform his Backwards tour in Carnegie Hall last summer. He actually preformed there twice; the first time sharing the stage with Caetano Veloso, singing only a few numbers and then a few months later appeared again to sing his whole set. I think his best and most elegant performance was that night he sang with Veloso. His voice was in rare form. Every song was executed with dead-on concentration and finesse. The last song of the evening was a rendition of "Heaven" like I've never heard before. His voice had a haunting command. His notes came out very smooth but also a little warped giving his notes an eerie pitch. Perfection, while not being perfect! It was the best I've ever heard him sing; brave, taking chances, hitting notes on a hair line. It might have had something to do with the fact the he shared the stage with Veloso; one of the most respected Brazilian musicians known today. Nonetheless, he seemed relaxed but humble. There was no sense of intimidation; almost like they both knew there was not need for it.

For the most part his play list for both 2001 and 2004 tours consisted mostly of songs from his latest albums. His 2001 tour included:
God's Child, Marching Through The Wilderness, and of course the givens, The Great Intoxication, The Revolution, Desconocido Soy, Like Humans Do, What A Day That Was, some Talking Heads stuff (Nothing But Flowers, And She was, Life During Wartime, Once In A Lifetime and Road To Nowhere) and yes, even a sneak peak of The Other Side Of this Life. Then there were some surprises like Buck Naked, The Moment Of Conception, A Soft Seduction (my favorite) and The Accident (another favorite).

His 2004 tour consisted mostly of the same sets; the same five Talking Head songs with a few new ones like This Must Be The Place and I Zimbra. The givens like The Revolution, The Great Intoxication, Like Humans, What A Day and Lazy, which was much more energetic and powerful than the DVD version. And then of course some new solo numbers that, unfortunately, are nowhere to be found on this DVD like Infinite=Finite, The Other Side Of This Life, Glass Concrete And Stone, Why, Tiny Apocalypse and She Only Sleeps and Dialog Box.

And then there were the audiences. I remember for each concert, screaming fans, dancing, releasing all inhibitions and just letting the music take over. I remember everyone's' energy soaring and with every song, energetic and LOUD. David, every time would somehow connect with the audience in a way that just felt right; and the place, in return would just turn into an utter frenzy. This only pushed David and his band to out-do themselves. There was a standing ovation for 10 minutes after each concert with the loudest screaming I have ever subjected my ears to. And there was David, surprised and humble with this larger than life smile on his face. In anyway, the man has something that few others can do. But when I see the faces on this DVD, it seems like they're not quite sure what they're witnessing. It looks like they're enjoying it, but also thinking "sounds great, but I'm not sure what I should do with it." And we see the effect this on everyone especially Mauro, who I remembered really exploding with the most complex, heart pounding rhythms and beats that really gave the music power. Moreover, there is no sense of that interaction of the band with the audience that I felt when I saw him live. A shame! Watching it, I do notice the band reaching for it from the audience in many places, but never really getting what they need in return to really take off or at least find the inspiration. But nonetheless, David does manage to break that barrier and just let the music do the work; and by the end on this concert has almost everyone into it.

Yes, Byrne is one of those talents that do more than just sing songs; he performs songs from an inner place that uses the music to bring about a real emotion that has its own uniqueness. He doesn't force it; you can tell he just lets things happen and this, in my opinion, from what I saw is largely due to how his audience perceives and reacts to him. I found that a supportive audience that is into the music almost pushes him further to points where all these wonderful surprises and happy accidents start to happen and this is what live shows are all about.

As for the music. I have a few points I'd like to make. First, David, if you do happen to read this, I hope this finds you well. I have now been to two of your tours, first in 2001 and then this year. Thanks so much for those concerts, I feel really lucky to live in NYC, the place where I think you've played most. Your performance with Cateno Veloso was a night to remember and then your Backwards concert at Carnegie Hall was amazing. The songs that I got the most feeling from both live and on the DVD are:
U.B. Jesus, Heaven, The Accident, The Revolution, Sax And Violins (which I have never seen live until the DVD and was amazed at the level you took it), Lazy (the Carnegie Hall performance), Un Di Felice (the DVD performance), You Don't Know Me, God's Child, Aucensia (the DVD performance was breathtaking, better then Carnegie Hall), Nothing But Flowers and my favorite which you sang at the Bowery 3 years ago, A Soft Seduction. I feel that these are the types of songs that let you be freer with your emotions and lets things happen in-between the lines. The Talking Heads stuff is good, especially Road To Nowhere and Sax And Violins. But with the direction that I think you are going, they seem more mechanical than organical.
But if you were to keep performing them, here are some Talking Heads suggestions:

Bill, The Democratic Circus, The Book I read, First Week/Last Week...Carefree, Papa Legbe, Love For Sale, Puzzlin' Evidence, Moon Rocks, Pull Up The Roots, Making Flippy Floppy, Swamp, Paper, Memories Can't Wait, Stay Hungry, The Big Country, Houses In Motion, Born Under Punches, The Overloud, Totally Nude, The Facts Of Life and what could be one of the most eeriest self awakening performances for both you and the audience...Cool Water.

As for your solo stuff:
I would love if you did more songs from "Rei Momo" like Good And Evil, Make Believe Mambo, Independence Day, The Dream Police, Women vs. Men, Office Cowboy and my favorite from the album, I Know Sometimes a Man is Wrong.
My favorites from "Uh-Oh": Now I'm Your Mom, A Walk In The Dark, A Million Miles Away, Something Ain't Right and Hanging Upside Down, Somebody.
Then there's: "Nothing At All", Amnesia, The Gates of Paradise, You don't know me, Dance On Vaseline, A Soft Seduction, Finite = Alright, Wicked little Doll, Burnt By The Sun, They are in love, Strange Ritual, Self Made Man, The Accident, Everyone's In Love With You, Smile, Empire, Why, Pirates, Glad, and Astronaut.

Those are all your best in my opinion, but what, I think, would be more challenging than anything is if you did your more instrumental stuff with albums like "Lead Us Not Into Temptation", "My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts", "The Forest" and "The Catherine Wheel"(and not just What A Day That Was, but the more instrumental songs. I'm not sure just how much of a concert you would be willing to devote to these types of songs, but I think you could really go to some very interesting places with that stuff. Just take what was written and sort of expand on it and see what happens if you let your mood take the music and not what's on the page. You do it so well with your voice, but there is so much more that can be discovered. Your songs are so good and have so much potential; they deserve to be free and played in a way that lets them grow on their own. I wait for the day.

These are serious requests, as you can see, from a serious fan no less. I've seen enough concerts and am familiar enough with the music to makes these observations and suggestions. Furthermore, these songs can really bring out some strong emotions and are most compatible for allowing those beautiful, unscripted, improvisational moments that can really take the music down some interesting paths, letting the artist have fun and come up with something new each time, thus reducing the feeling of repetition and boredom that he or she might get from singing the same thing over and over again during tours. It's all really just up to you, David, to just let it happen and see how far you can take it. This was something I think you could have let breathe a little more in all your performances. For what I have seen over the years, just as you find a groove or start to move into foreign, unknown lands, that are "uninhabited" in terms of the music, you almost stop the journey and return back home to a more familiar area where all the streets are named and used. The thing is you know your way around these streets so well; you don't need names to know your way around. In any case, sometimes not always being in control and getting lost can be a good thing. But I understand the mentality behind your music and the art of control you must have with your voice. I also know that self-indulgence is not what your music is about and that's why I love it. But you should not let that stop your music from growing and challenging itself when you play it live.

The second thing I want to address is the strings. Although I thought they worked for most songs, there were moments where they seemed to be a constraint. I didn't find them to have much of a contribution to the music. They were subtle, which is not bad, but then too subtle during parts where they needed to step up and compliment the songs better. There were some nice arrangements in the beginning of songs like The Great Intoxication, and for U.B. but even here still felt too fast paced and just thrown in for flavor. I didn't get the sense of why they were there. What their purpose was? Just what do they have to offer? I felt there could have been more of an interaction that challenged the music instead of just playing along with it. Maybe a solo or two, some improv, a change of pace to stir things up. The funkiness was lagging. The strings just felt too scripted and that just ate into to feel of the concert, making it feet rushed. I would have liked to see the parts slowed down a bit in some areas to let things breathe and talk. There's no need to rush, it's a live concert. You'll be surprised just what a slightly longer moment of silence can do to an audience. Where the concert succeeds most with this concept is your singing; always in control and at it's own pace. But sometimes going at your own pace means you have to go at someone else's for a while. And with that, Mr. Byrne I will say, until next time, I look forward to your next project and hope that one day some of this will get through in one way or another and help in any way that it can.

Thanks for your great music and inspiration.


Rating:
Summary: Class is permanent
Review: I have seen this concert in the UK on BBC. The string section lends a subtle feel to many Talking Heads standards and his rythm section support the music superbly. The range of material is impressive and the performance riveting. The man is a rare talent.

Rating:
Summary: A little disappointing.
Review: I was actually a little disappointed with this concert. It was good to see David Byrne well and sounding great. However the show just lacked energy. It doesn't even come close to the Stop Making Sense Concert/DVD. The songs were nice but were lacking fullness by not having some good soulful women backround singers. Instead there was an extremely annoying string section which I thought sounded completely out of place and hokey. I rarely like it when classical musician's sit in with rock bands, just stales everything up. Stop Making Sense is 5 stars all the way, awesome. This Concert a generous 3 Stars given.

Rating:
Summary: Delightful
Review: Some day everybody will realize what an important contribution David Byrne has made to popular music. This guy has never lost one iota of credibility. His most recent tour (represented on this DVD) features some of his most sophisticated arrangements and a varied setlist. The one thing that bothers me about going to David Byrne concerts is that some in the audience would prefer to hear only the Talking Heads hits. Even though Byrne delivers some incredible versions of those songs (Sax and Violins is probably the best of this tour) his really incredible stuff is culled from his solo career. Watch this DVD and then go out and buy all of his music. Also be sure to watch his documentary "The House of Life" for a little insight into where some of the inspiration for "Rei Momo" came from. Another suggestion is the "Waking Life" soundtrack from the Tosca Tango Orchestra...the string section on his last two tours.

Rating:
Summary: Still among the best
Review: This is a really good performance. David is up there with a range of songs including older Talking Heads stuff and newer ones including 'Lazy'.
I think the older stuff is actually accentuated by the hint of Latin flavour that seems to have crept in - perhaps through instrument choice and band members.
If I have a personal quibble for not giving it a 5, it's that I'm not on the same road (to nowhere?) when he likes throwing in an opera song. I like his own offerings. There are also no extras and even a longer interview and'or a few more recent video clips might have been a welcome addition.
I actually like this concert better in some ways than the highly acclaimed 'Stop Making Sense'. The latter was great but I found its theatricality and 'concept' feel a bit distancing and not as connecting with the audiense.
David seems to have softened and loosened up over the years and there seems to be more emotion and connection. He has such a sensitive and deep sense of comples rhythms. The audience are often up and dancing around and getting into it too.
Great group of backing musicians in two groups- a small group of strings and strong rock section.
Great setting too - I'm starting to look for Union Chapel as a DVD venue as I enjoyed Procol Harem there too.

Rating:
Summary: A Revelation
Review: Well I'm going to take a different tack here than some of the other reviews. I have always been a Talking Heads fan, but I have to admit have not always loved David's solo work. Sure there have been moments but for the most part I would never compare his solo work with the brilliance of the Talking Heads, but Live at Union Chapel has won me over. This is as good as it gets form the opening notes of Nothing but Flowers to the closing Road to Nowhere. This man actually had me tapping my foot to I wanna Dance With Somebody and I would have thought that impossible. I could gush here over such gems as the wondefully sublime version of Naive Melody or the foot stomping U.B. Jesus, but I won't, instead I'll just urge you to go out and buy this DVD. Unlike one of the previous reviewers I won't say that it matches the majesty of Stop Making Sense, but instead it has it's own unique style that will have you smiling and dancing. Enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: Not 'Stop Making Sense', but what is?
Review: When I received the Union Chapel DVD, thankfully I realized that I had very high expectations due to my recent purchase of 'Stop Making Sense', the greatest music film of all time. To compare anything to SMS is feudal, because everything else pales in comparison.

However, what the viewer gets with Union Chapel is a low key night with David Byrne. You shouldn't buy this DVD for a night of Talking Heads Greatest Hits, but for a few TH favorites, a couple of covers, and a bunch of great items from Byrne's post Heads career.

4/5 stars because it's not Stop Making Sense. But what really is?