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| Dvdivas
was founded by John Gabbard in 2000. It's purpose has been and
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the latest dvds and movie reviews. It will continue to be your
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“Peter
Gabriel-Play: The Videos“
|
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Reviewed
by: |
Wayne A. Klein |
| Genre: |
Music videos/Concerts
|
| Video: |
1.33:1 Full
screen and 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen |
| Audio: |
Dolby Digital
5.1 |
| Languages |
English |
| Subtitles |
English |
| Length |
Approximately100
minutes |
| Rating |
NR |
| Release Date |
11/16/04
|
| Studio |
Warner Home
Video |
| Commentary:
|
None |
| Documentaries:
|
None |
| Featurettes:
|
None |
| Filmography/Biography:
|
None |
|
Interviews: |
None |
| Trailers/TV
Spots: |
“Growing Up Live”, “Secret
World Live”, “Family Portrait” |
| Alternate/Deleted
Scenes: |
None |
| Music
Video: |
They’re all music videos
folks |
| Other:
|
“Games Without
Froniters-Live 2004”, “Modern Love” vintage video, “The Nest
That Sailed The Sky”, Accompanying essay by Peter Gabriel |
| Cast
and Crew: |
Peter Gabriel,
Sinead O’Conner, Tony Levin, Kate Bush, David Rhodes |
| Written
By: |
Peter Gabriel
|
| Produced
By: |
Jacquline
White, Francois Vogel, Prudence Fenton, Glenn Marshall |
| Directed
By: |
Hamish Hamilton,
Peter Gabriel, Anna Gabriel, Marcello Anciano, Michael Coulson,
Godley & Crème, Sean Penn, Brett Leonard |
| Music:
|
Peter Gabriel
-- |
| The
Review: |
Peter Gabriel’s nickname should
be Play. The videos he has collaborated on have always broken
new ground whether it be the witty “Sledgehammer” or the breathtaking
and bizarre Shock the Monkey” introduced at the birth of MTV.
“Play” is the DVD reissue/expansion of the original video
compilation released in the early 90’s and features these
as well as new material that wasn’t previously gathered together.
Opening with the spare, moving “Father, Son” which features
footage of a bald Gabriel sporting a goatee (he’s starting
to look a bit like Uncle Fester folks so it’s a good thing
that he went for the goatee trust me on this) along with black
& white footage of the singer/songwriter with his actual father,
it’s a moving video that captures all the emotional impact
of the song. “Sledgehammer”is still as fresh, witty and vital
as it was nearly 20 years ago. “Blood of Eden” from “Us” with
its almost archetypical images and innovative use of animation
and video effects is worthwhile watching long after most music
videos. Gabriel understands the importance of narratives even
to music videos so, although they may be strange appearing,
at first glance they have a much larger symbolic meaning.
This DVD compilation also features the debut of “Lovetown”
and many of the videos for songs he’s recorded either for
compilations or his later (meaning post-“Us”) albums. ---
|
| Image
and Sound: |
Vivid colors
are a highlight of any Peter Gabriel video and this is no exception.
Even the videos that are well over twenty years old and were
shot on film look marvelous. The earlier videos tend not to
have quite as well as the later ones only because music videos
were in their infancy but they still pack quite a wallop. I
don’t recall seeing “In Your Eyes” on the previous compilation
and I suppose it was on there but just don’t recall it. Intercutting
new film of Gabriel with what appears to be vintage footage
from the 50’s. It’s one of Gabriel’s most important songs (much
less his best “love” song and about as close to a conventional
love song as he has eer come). Anyway, I’m digressing. The rich
imagery and color in this video varies a bit depending upon
what the “source” material was supposed to be. Either way, it
looks marvelous with its mixture of aged, faded Technicolor
footage from what appears to be the 50’s and late 40’s along
with the newer sometimes impressionistic images. The whole purpose
of these videos (including the live footage) isn’t to look pristine
but, instead, to accentuate the textures and blurry images that
do crop up. The 5.1 surround mix sounds marvelous placing the
music throughout the room. Even the stereo mix sounds amazing.
--- |
| The
Extras: |
We get
footage of Gabriel performing “Games Without Frontiers” live
from the 2004 tour along with a vintage, fascinating early
music video of Gabriel performing the classic arena rock fav
“Modern Love”. “The Next That Sailed The Sky” is an impressionist
bit of music and video with echoes of Robert Fripp and Brian
Eno. You also have the option of turning the video introductions
on or off. The menu can be a bit frustrating to use at times
***
We also
get trailers for “Family Portrait”, “Growing Up Live” and
“Secret World Live”. The former is a portrait of the 2002
“Growing Up” tour created by Gabriel’s daughter. The two live
videos are well represented as well with some marvelous footage
from their respective tours. It’s interesting to contrast
the two tours seen here. None of Gabriel’s shows that I’ve
seen have ever been boring or the same which makes each concert
a unique experience worth savoring. ---
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| Commentary:
|
No commentary
track. Would you want one on music videos where music is part
of the experience? |
| Final
Words: |
A masterful
collection of Gabriel’s videos augmented by some previous unreleased
newer videos, “Play” continues to demonstrate why and how Gabriel
creates innovative multi-media in collaboration with other directors/artists.
It’s a marvelous collection that looks great and sounds great.
My only complaint is I do wish that Gabriel’s live video for
“In Your Eyes” produced to promote the song isn’t included as
part of the mix. This is a fascinating video and musical feast
for the eyes and ears. |
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