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61 of 62 found the following review helpful:
Stevie's Best, But the DVD Could Use Some WorkSep 01, 2000
By Andrew Kim
There is nothing like seeing great blues in a small club. Stevie has done a lot of great live work (except while in the depths of his drug abuse), but this video is the pinnacle of what he was capable of. This small club in Toronto, with rowdy fans has more energy and fire than any arena, stadium or theatre could match. This was also a musical high point of Stevie's career. He was older than the "In the Beginning" disc (also taken from a small club), and his playing reflects it. He was more fluid and confident, and you can see that he was REALLY feeling "it" the night of the El Mocambo show. I have never heard or seen a better rendition of Texas Flood. I have never even seen a beter blues guitar performance by anyone on any song compared to it. The versions of Tell Me, Wham!, So Excited, Testify, Voodoo Chile, Mary Had a Little Lamb, and Lenny also are the best I have heard from any recording (official or bootleg) of Stevie's. As for the DVD, it could use some work. I noticed, in comparison with the VHS version, the mixers have brought the volume down a bit on Stevie's guitar, while making the low end sounds more prominent. This takes away from the power of Stevie's performance a bit. They also still have not included the version of Little Wing that was performed right before Third Stone From the Sun! Please! Include it, I will buy the DVD again! On a bright note for the DVD, the interview included is quite interesting, with Tommy and Chris' thoughts and relflections on Stevie and the night of the El Mocambo show. All in all, I would still get the DVD over the VHS copy. But regardless, every fan of the blues, Stevie, and/or guitar should buy this video. Ever hear Eric Clapton describe Stevie as an open channel, in which musical ideas just flowed through him? This video is proof, and it is amazing.
42 of 44 found the following review helpful:
SRV Must HaveDec 27, 1999
By ron
I am quite happy with this disk. The 5.1 sound is excellent. The video is very good but not great; the issue being the simplistic camera angles - remember this was filmed in a bar 16 years ago. The real joy of this disk is of course the performance, SRV before his excess of the mid 80's. The playing is fluid and graceful and gives us an insight into one of the greatest guitarists since Hendrix. Speaking of Hendrix, the version of Third Stone SRV does is a real high point of the show. In short if you like SRV you will not be disappointed with this disk.
23 of 24 found the following review helpful:
BUY THIS NOW!Mar 05, 2000
By Chris
I have been a huge fan since the beginning but the person that turned me onto this video was not. But even for someone who does not like the blues he was thoroughly blown away by this performance. This is one of the most amazing shows one could ever hope to witness EVEN IF YOU DONT LIKE THE BLUES! From the get-go SRV rips it up with Testify. Every song thereafter is a bonus:So Excited,Voodoo Chile(there were only two people that could do this song justice Jimi and SRV),Pride & Joy, Tell Me, Mary Had a Little lamb, Texas Flood, Love Struck Baby, Hug You, 3rd Stone,Lenny and WHAM. You will find yourself laughing in awe of how truly great a SRV show could be. In an age when "rock stars" put on a "show" this video is raw musical performance without any back tracks or effects. It's just a man and his guitar. I can say without a doubt this is one the greatest buys you can ever make and I will say it again-Even if you don't like the blues! Buy this video and play it as loud as you can, you will not be disappointed.
15 of 15 found the following review helpful:
AN EXPLOSION OF ELECTRIC BLUES !!Dec 30, 1998
Stevie Ray Vaughan captured live in the best environment: a small blues joint ! No special effects only ass-kicking blues and rock like only Stevie could do. See Stevie, Chris Layton and Tommy Shannon rip through their set like it was their last day on earth ! Emotions run high as Double Trouble perform, people are transfixed as Stevie blows' em away with a barrage of notes and his stage persona, playing with the guitar behind his back and his head and still reaching musical nirvana ! The whole SRV palette is explored in this video, from the delicate and passionate "Lenny" to the incredible rendition of "Texas Flood" and, as a bonus, a very psichedelic, destructive (literally!), cathartic and liberatory version of Jimi Hendrix's "Third stone from the sun". Watch in amazement and then watch again. You'll understand. Doesn't EVERYBODY have this video already anyway ?
29 of 33 found the following review helpful:
"HUMBLE BUT NOT WEAK."Jun 04, 2001
By Soaring Heart
(Quote above about Stevie by Tommy Shannon, the bassist.) Straight up, I must say this is ESSENTIAL VIEWING! One can tell Stevie and the band thrive in this type of a small, intimate setting. One of the things I love most about Stevie is HE DOESN'T HOLD ANYTHING BACK! He FLOWS! Stevie is so comfortable and natural in expressing himself...the fans around the world must surely see his inner beauty and SOUL--truly Breathtaking and Magnificent! Stevie is Spectacular to watch because of this inner beauty and SOUL which is fully expressed by his guitar mastery. The guitar is the conduit of what Stevie has in his heart--truly. TRULY! And what a HEART it IS. THERE ARE NO WORDS TO EXPRESS ALL OF THE BEAUTY I FEEL WATCHING HIM PLAY HIS MUSIC! I'LL CHERISH THIS DVD ALWAYS! A comment on the rapport he has with Tommy and Chris--it's so beautiful to witness. They fuel off each other and the audience; the energy shared...Wow! EVERY SINGLE SONG ON THIS DVD IS EXCEPTIONAL-- I LOVE 'EM ALL! I believe you will too! (Ok, here are some favorites: "Voodoo Chile", "Pride and Joy", "Tell Me", "Mary Had a Little Lamb", "Love Struck Baby", "Hug You Squeeze You", "Third Stone From the Sun" and "Lenny.") The DVD special features are exceptional: you can turn on the lyrics or off, and the interview with Tommy and Chris in October 1999 is worth the purchase price even if there wasn't a show on the DVD! Trust me on this, you must hear this interview! Here are the chapter titles from the interview: "Playing el Mocambo", "A different show every time", "Triple Threat", "Steve Onstage," "Stevie's Persona" (loved this one!), "What people loved about Stevie (Tommy and Chris both share their impression of meeting Stevie for the first time.), "Stevie's Gift", "Behind the Guitar", "Playing with the greats," "Stevie's influence", "Electricity and Stevie" (adore this one too! Looks like Stevie and I have something in common! Not joking!) and lastly "Stevie's Legacy." IF YOU LOVE STEVIE, THIS IS A MUST-OWN! Even if you don't, by the time you are done watching this DVD, you will. Stevie will never be forgotten and he will never die. HIS SPIRIT AND HIS MUSIC LIVE ON.
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