Released October 2005 on Universal Music DVD.
Some ten months after the show,
October 2005 saw the release of "A Tribute To The King", a DVD which
features a concert performed behind closed doors at London's legendary
Abbey Road Studios in December 2004, celebrating 50 years of
rock'n'roll.
Amongst the top musicians at the
concert, helmed by Scotty Moore, guitarist for Elvis Presley for the
recording of That's Alright, Mama, (which has been taken as the
official starting point of rock'n'roll in 1954) are Pink Floyd's David
Gilmour, taking time out from his solo work to perform "Don't",
accompanied by Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings.
The concert also included the
likes of Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr (The Beatles), Keith Richards, Ron
Wood (the Rolling Stones), and Mark Knopfler.
The
concert is a great watch and listen - it features a classic slab of
some of the best rock'n'roll of all time, played with style and panache
by some of the finest musicians of today. Over two dozen Presley
classics including 'Heartbreak Hotel', 'Shake, Rattle And Roll', 'All
Shook Up' and 'Blue Suede Shoes' are
featured, in a trip down a musical memory lane.
Some of the performances are
straight renditions, others have the artists letting loose a little,
and adding their own style to the performance. Particular standouts are
Eric Clapton and Albert Lee, whose selections are peppered throughout
the DVD, but praise must be given to the tight band that accompany all
the guests, which includes Graham Broad on drums (more normally seen in
Roger Waters' touring band!), and Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings.
David's performance features a
typically restrained vocal performance (no attempts at impersonating
Elvis Presley, thankfully!) and a suitably gentle run-through of
"Don't", Scotty Moore's favourite Elvis track of all time. One wonders
if "Don't" could be a possible inclusion on David's forthcoming tour of
Europe and the USA. Accompanying David for this performance were the
Rhythm Kings (with Bill on bass), Graham Broad on drums, and the
legendary Albert Lee on backing guitar.
Many
of the performances were recorded seperately - giving time for the band
and guest artiste to set up - but there is little sign of this in the
careful editing.
Sound and picture quality are, as
one would expect these days, exemplary throughout - the audio is
provided in dts 5.1 Surround Sound, 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound
and 2.0 Dolby Stereo, and the visuals are all in crisp anamorphic
widescreen. Colours are vibrant, and we didn't spot any digital
artifacts or blemishes.
Extras on DVDs such as this are
usually fairly dispensible. However, Tribute To The King includes a
fascinating 25 minute documentary looking behind the scenes of the
concert, looking at the planning, rehearsal and staging aspects of the
show. Whilst David doesn't feature in this, it really is a good insight
into the trials and considerations that have to be taken into account
when staging an event such as this.
Scotty
Moore is at the forefront of it all - and no clearer is this seen than
in the documentary. I was very surprised to see Bill Wyman (who, as
bassist for the Rolling Stones, would have seen it all and one would
expect to be rather blasé about celebrity) getting Scotty to autograph
a CD!
Scotty is amongst those
interviewed as part of the extras, giving his views on Elvis, recording
the classic songs, and Elvis's legacy in a thirty minute chat. Jerry
Schilling, a long-time friend and confidant of Elvis is also
interviewed over 21 minutes. Most of the guest performers, David
included, are also asked questions about when they first heard the
music, and what they thought of playing at this concert.
Overall, an interesting and well
thought out DVD, showcasing all the different aspects of staging and
performing a sho like this, which was held behind closed doors.
Universal Music have produced an
exclusive limited edition version of A Tribute To The King. Alongside
the standard DVD amaray packaging, 25,000 slipcase amaray's have been
released, complete with stunning red foil lettering. Stocks of these
are no doubt dwindling as you read this!
The DVD can be ordered through these special Amazon links: UK/Europe, US/International, Canada, and Germany.
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