MVD Entertainment Group, one of the leading indie distributors of music-oriented films (and other documentaries), is keeping the momentum flying with its latest batch of releases. The company (previously known as Music Video Distributors, Inc) was founded in 1986 by Tom Seaman, an industry veteran of more than 40 years, whose background includes retailing stints with Record Hunter, Sam Goody, Musicland, CBS Retail, and wholesale experience with Jem Records. MVD initially acted primarily as a one-stop, buying all labels’ music-related VHS releases and reselling to music and video stores. Today, MVD Entertainment Group is a corporation consisting of three major divisions: MVD Visual, MVD Audio, and MVD Distribution. MVD Visual is responsible for releasing this recent group of DVDs examined.
First up is its exhaustive “Radiohead: Arms & Legs – The Story So Far”. Certainly a unique art-pop band like Radiohead deserves to be approached from multiple angles, and this multi-faceted band gets just that approach. The primary feature – a full-length film in and of itself – takes an in-depth look at what is arguably the band’s most notable release, “OK Computer.” The viewer/listener gets to see the creation of this album from every angle, starting with the early stages of groundwork all the way through to completed recording, its unleashing upon the public and the reaction that followed. Film number two steps back for a broader take on this alt-rock icon, delivering a career-spanning retrospective of this offbeat, quirky band that had no reason to expect global superstar success but got it anyway, though, like other auteurs, fame wasn’t a goal and isn’t, necessarily, entirely welcome. (Anybody think Kurt Cobain? At least I don’t expect suicide from the ranks of Radiohead any time soon. We can hope.) For Radiohead fans who want behind-the-scenes nitty gritty, “Arms & Legs” provides a good jumping off point.
Next is “Neil Young’s Music Box: Here We Are In The Years.” Neil Young is a singular musical artist. I don’t think anybody – fan or foe – can argue otherwise. His expansive musical range and his one-of-a-kind approach to songwriting (not to mention his oh-so-memorable voice) all fused to create a true force of nature in the music scene. “Here We Are In The Years” is a two-hour excavation of Young’s career (not that it’s been buried, or anything). His influences are wide-ranging and so it’s to be expected that his career reflects that. From early years driven by the vintage sounds of rock-n-roll to the resurgence of folk that wasn’t going anywhere without Neil Young, from guitar-based twang to blues-based passion, from punk through to its offspring, Young is one of America’s master musicians and purveyor of no-pigeon-hole audio art. Truly a man that is attuned to what music is doing but not compelled to drive between the lines artistically, Young is a hero to many, an offender of Lynyrd Skynyrd, and a unique American songcraftsman.
Both of the above DVDs were produced by Chrome Dreams which is based just outside of London.
“Chrome Dreams (UK) has been providing us with high quality productions for a long time, ” said Ed Seaman, COO of MVD Entertainment Group. “Their dedication to making in-depth documentaries and informative programming is unmatched in the industry. Some of our best selling product comes from Chrome.”
But many of MVD’s products come from the UK…
Thanks to Rolling Stone-er Bill Wyman, who dug up the third flick under consideration here, we have “The A.I.M.S. Gala: Live at the Royal Albert Hall.” The diversity of performances and the artist roster of those involved with this 1988 A.I.M.S. Project performance is enough to warrant checking this out. And it’s not just music. But lest I get ahead of myself, let’s take a look at just some of the folks shucking out oodles and oodles of their talent for the audience on this performance. Besides Bill Wyman (duh), we get the likes of Elvis Costello, pop rocker Eddy Grant, new wave-ish popster PHil Collins, The Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde, and more and more and more. Stand-up also gets some input as Brit funnyman Jim Davidson takes to the stage. Music and comedy even merge with metal mockers “Bad News” cranking out an outrageous, all-their-own take on “Bohemian Rhapsody.” It’s wall-to-wall talent on display in this thankfully rediscovered recording of a concert whose musical genius quotient nears critical mass.
Rick Wakeman has a hand in both of the next two music films in question. First I’ll tackle Rick Wakeman’s “Made In Cuba.” The keyboardist for prog gods Yes appears here with his band, The English Rock Ensemble. This concert had its roots in an invitation to Wakeman from, among other organizations, the Cuban Ministry of Culture! The Cuban Music Institute and the Swiss organization Association Friends of Cuba were also among those extending the invite. It’s a helluva honor for Wakeman to be tapped for one of the biggest (as well as one of the earliest) officially sanctioned rock concert in Cuba. Besides all this, there is the sheer joy of hearing such prog rock classics as “Journey to the Centre of the Earth,” “Merlin the Magician” and “Starship Trooper”. Besides the show itself, there is a documentary giving us a backstage pass to witness Wakeman behind-the-scenes for this historic rock-and-roll event.
“YesSpeak” finds Wakeman on board with his buddies from “Yes.” In fact, “YesSpeak” features the ORIGINAL LINEUP performing as part of Yes’ 35th Anniversary tour in Europe. A plethora of live tracks, including fan favorite “Roundabout”, are featured, allowing this monumental smart rock band show its stuff, and we all know bands like Yes REALLY shine in a live environment. There’s even a medley of Rick Wakeman keyboarding solos if you’re not already tided over by “Made in Cuba.” And you get all this wonderful music not just once, but twice! Besides the concert footage, there is also an audio only option if you just want to close ye olde eyes, kicketh back and ride the prog waves into your psyche. Plus, there’s more than just music here; we get to spend more intimate time with the band, following them off stage to find out what’s up when the music’s not playing. At 170 minutes, this is a big DVD, and big is what to expect with Yes.
All three titles above are made by Classic Productions, which is based in Stratford-Upon-Avon outside of London.
“Classic has been creating top-notch entertainment programming for over 20 years,” said Seaman. “The combination of their state-of-the-art production facilities and a considerable portfolio of dedicated skills adds up to a large amount of winning programs for our customers”.
And speaking of Great Britain…
For all you Royal Family fanatics and especially for the Royal fans who cry at weddings, this is perhaps the ultimate DVD: “British Royal Weddings of the 20th Century. And this isn’t just a doc about these folks and who married who, but it actually features tons of archival footage (more than 3 hours!) from processions and ceremonies themselves! Some highlights include the weddings of: Prince Albert (1923), Prince Edward (1961), Prince Charles and Lady Di (1981) and Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson (1986). The main feature extends from 1922 to Andrew and Fergie in its coverage of major royal weddings. In addition, the bonus features include material six more weddings, making for a total of 19 weddings for our voyeuristic pleasure. Sure to be a treat for Royal followers.
Produced by Cherry Red in London, whose name is synonmous with quality music and video.
“As other record companies cut back and retrench, Cherry Red continues to increase both their staff and output levels,” said Seaman.
To attest to this sentiment, Adam Velasco of Cherry Red states, “In an industry that’s experiencing changing times, we are very much committed to putting out as many interesting records as possible. With all the emerging new media we are always looking forward, aiming to grow the company and keep the fun going.”
Reeling in a different topic, there is the documentary “Rivers of a Lost Coast.” At its heart is the world of anglers. But there’s more than mere fishing here. This isn’t some Saturday morning local brewed fishin’ show. This is a serious and touching documentary about not only the fishers but the bodies of water in which they perform their chosen hobby/sport (depends on the angler, I guess). It’s narrated by Tom Skerritt, who, you may recall, was in “A River Runs Through It,” which had fishing at its center. Skerritt is also a noted advocate of environmental responsibility. Watching “Rivers of a Lost Coast,” you will learn not only about the competitive world of angling, but also about the environments in which these anglers move and breathe – and fish. Perhaps most importantly, you will be made aware (or more aware, as the case may be) of the kinds of damage and change threatening the areas these anglers call home.
And we’re back to music for the final film under consideration in this MVD Entertainment Update. Consider “Glenn Tilbrook and the Fluffers: Live in New York City.” Of course, Tilbrook is probably most known for his work with the born-in-the-70s power pop band Squeeze. But though he’s performing here not with Squeeze, but with the Fluffers, fans can rest easy. A number of Squeeze tunes, as well as a batch of Tilbrook solo efforts, are performed for all you fans. And on top of this chance for Tilbrook to play his fan-beloved songs again – and for said fans to hear those songs – there is also the chance to “meet” Tilbrook as the cameras swoop in backstage to catch all the action. With 16 tracks of Tilbrook tunage and VIP passes for you DVD viewers, this is solid material about music fans’ main “Squeeze.”
No related posts.
