Favorite classic rock, multi-act concert movie based on performances?

[darkstar]

(Given all the rock and roll chat of l;ate; sorry if this has been done.)

I ask b/c I just got Woodstock. On whole great pop cult document, but only a few performances jump up to my "best rock on celluloid" moments.

Also got Bangladesh recently. Hard to find, i.e. no hi-fi VSH ever released, AFAIK, no DVD. (Got Spanish language import. So-so fullscreen picture. But 5.1 mix. Anyone know if there's a rights issue in USA?)

At any rate, it's my hands down new personal fave as of this past weekend. There's the Harrison songs done by crack band (Badfinger core, Ringo and Keltner, Clapton, Leon Russell on piano, Billy Preston on organ, great horns and b-u singers). Even if you only like Harrison's "hits", they are well represented. Plus, the ecellent 20 mins or so done by Ravi Shankhar at outset. And Ringo doing "It Don't Come Easy."

But then there is Billy Preston's near show stopping number, "That's The way God Planed It.". And Leon Russell's audacious, pounding 15 min "Jumpin Jack Flash/Youngblood" medley. And then Dylan doing 4 songs accompanied by Harrison on guit and Russell on bass in what lots of Dylan fans consider among his top 2-3 live on-film appearances.

Pound for pound, great stuff.

While we're at it, does anyone know why Clapton doesn't get a solo number of his own? Pete Hamm (?) gets nearly as many guitar solos, even. What's up w/ that?

Moving on, anyone got the Criterion Monetery Pop collection? If so, what's on disc 4?

Anyways, my inflation adjusted 2 cents. Out to cut grass. Check back later.

P.S. Dig the new sig below.

[Richardo]

1. The Band was pretty strong in "The Last Waltz"

Along with Dr. John, Joni, Ronny Hawkins, Dylan - pretty much everybody but Neil Diamond.


BTW: Scorsese was an editor on "Woodstock". Served him well for "TLW", dinnit?

[Kat45]

4. Agreed. The Last Waltz was excellent.

I even enjoyed the performances of artists who I don't care for, and the movie made me appreciate The Band even more than I had. I think it was Clapton who broke a guitar string and Robbie Robertson picked up right where he left off. Muddy Waters was great too.

[zekeson]

8. Nod to the Last Waltz

Was my introduction to most of the cast as a 14 year old just learninf about non-radio music. Bought the 3 LP set then saw the movie, later I taped the movie (from Laser if I remember right) and now have the DVD - love it all - well, except the Neil Diamond - I just don't get it.

[AntiCoup2K4]

2. Rolling Stones Rock n Roll Circus

Was filmed as a BBC TV special in December 1968, but never actually made it to the airwaves.

Features :
Jethro Tull (w/ guest guitarist Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath)
The Who (kicking ass as usual)
Taj Mahal
Marianne Faithful
The Dirty Mac (supergroup consisting of John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards (on bass!) and Mitch Mitchell. Guess Paul, George, and Ringo didn't feel like doing the gig.
Yoko Ono screaming over some guy playing the fiddle (while the Dirty Mac jams a blues-rock tune behind them)

and of course....

Mick, Keith, Brian (in his last live performance), Bill & Charlie...

THE ROLLING STONES!!

The fact that this is not yet available on DVD is nothing short of a crime :evilfrown:

[Rick Myers]

5. Saw 'Circus' once!!!

Freakin' Killer!!!! It IS a crime it's not available. Maybe, someday...

[mitchum]

7. But it is (available)

It has been out on VHS and DVD for awhile now. I'm still waiting for the 73 tour film, "Ladies and Gentklemen, The Rolling Stones" which was released on limited screens in 74 (would love to see it again)

[tridim]

3. Woodstock

I loved that film. Especially the Santana segment.

[Tikki]

6. "If It Ain't........

...."If It Ain't Stiff It Ain't Worth A F***"......

(RIP) Ian Dury....

[MnFats]

9. Clapton was supposed to have been terribly ill...

....i read, Clapton was recovering from his addiction when Harrison asked him to do the concert. This after Clapton had won and lost Harrison's wife, for whom "Layla" was written.
Harrison begged him to play. Clapton pulled himself together...perhaps he didn't have time to rehearse any of his own songs....but he got it together enough to give one of the performances of his life...


ok...not 'multi-act,' but 'Stop Making Sense' by Talking Heads is certainly one of the greatest concert films of all time. How much would you pay to see the same concert today? I'd take out a loan...

[darkstar]

10. Thanks for the responses

all. Yep, I love Last Waltz as well. Neil, Joni, Ronnie Hawkins (my thesis director grew up on same block, met Levon, etc.) Van, Staples. Oh yeah, Muddy Waters (I recall "I'm a Man" as searingly intense.) And Dylan again, of course.

Before watching Bangaldesh for the first time in ~15 yrs, I'd have said the same, I'm guessing. No right or wrong. Just my new fave since I'd gone so long w/out seeing it and had forgotten how much I enjoyed some of the performances.

Dylan fans: Yr fave live performances on film?

And oh yeah. How about Festival at Big Sur? Saw that in theater. Remember digging it. Is it available on DVD, VHS? I don't recall seeing it across the VHS years at all....