CHINA CRISIS
Done & Dusted (Greatest Hits Live) DVD
Should you actually find this DVD for sale anywhere, then a treat awaits you. Gary Daly and Eddie Lundon have been slowly creeping back under the radar with a series of one off shows, small tours and of course Here and Now appearances, usually to great effect. Whether they can become a success again remains to be seen but as a serious act of the 80's, out on the road and writing, there can be few complaints.
This DVD records the band during 2003 at two quite different gigs. The first being a (presumably) low on the bill appearance at Liverpool's Summer Pops Big Top shows. As those who saw CC open on the Here & Now tours will recall, here too the band are playing to a largely unappreciative audience but still put in an interesting set. Not entirely hits friendly, this 7 song, 35 minute set instead showcases some of their lesser known tracks and indeed a smattering of recent recordings. As Gary says just before a superb Black Man Ray "here's one you might actually know.." It's actually a very good introduction to where the band are right now..
The second show is billed as "An audience with.." but relax, it's not some overblown stage-managed ITV debacle. Instead its a rather intimate gig, seemingly filmed in their local pub in front of a highly appreciate crowd of 30-something faithful. This longer set (55 mins) allows a more detailed meander through their recording career but of course stops off to take in pretty much all the major singles and hits. Wishful Thinking and King In A Catholic Style are particular highlights here although there is sufficient trademark charm in many of the other songs to warrant repeated complete viewing.
For me, the music of China Crisis was always simple, uncomplicated, never overblown or over stated and those values come through on this DVD. The filming is not multi camera, zoom and effect laden. It's a couple of point and shoot efforts in the main and that makes for a very informal and almost intimate recording - its hard to explain but it works so well. Even the occasional switches to grainy black and white are to good effect.
The DVD adds bonus material in the shape of a further 20 minutes from the Audience with.. here concentrating on the Q&A session with the fans and a handful of simple acoustic tracks.
Four audio only demo tracks are available together with a photo album - actually far more interesting this kind of feature usually is, a short but amusing look at the band, 1979 to date.
This may be titled Greatest Hits Live but its much more than that and a great DVD, particularly given it has no major record label backing, and probably because of that, its home-grown values will appeal far more.
This DVD records the band during 2003 at two quite different gigs. The first being a (presumably) low on the bill appearance at Liverpool's Summer Pops Big Top shows. As those who saw CC open on the Here & Now tours will recall, here too the band are playing to a largely unappreciative audience but still put in an interesting set. Not entirely hits friendly, this 7 song, 35 minute set instead showcases some of their lesser known tracks and indeed a smattering of recent recordings. As Gary says just before a superb Black Man Ray "here's one you might actually know.." It's actually a very good introduction to where the band are right now..
The second show is billed as "An audience with.." but relax, it's not some overblown stage-managed ITV debacle. Instead its a rather intimate gig, seemingly filmed in their local pub in front of a highly appreciate crowd of 30-something faithful. This longer set (55 mins) allows a more detailed meander through their recording career but of course stops off to take in pretty much all the major singles and hits. Wishful Thinking and King In A Catholic Style are particular highlights here although there is sufficient trademark charm in many of the other songs to warrant repeated complete viewing.
For me, the music of China Crisis was always simple, uncomplicated, never overblown or over stated and those values come through on this DVD. The filming is not multi camera, zoom and effect laden. It's a couple of point and shoot efforts in the main and that makes for a very informal and almost intimate recording - its hard to explain but it works so well. Even the occasional switches to grainy black and white are to good effect.
The DVD adds bonus material in the shape of a further 20 minutes from the Audience with.. here concentrating on the Q&A session with the fans and a handful of simple acoustic tracks.
Four audio only demo tracks are available together with a photo album - actually far more interesting this kind of feature usually is, a short but amusing look at the band, 1979 to date.
This may be titled Greatest Hits Live but its much more than that and a great DVD, particularly given it has no major record label backing, and probably because of that, its home-grown values will appeal far more.
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