In 2006, Les Claypool and his Fancy Band toured a number of clubs in the U.S. I was lucky enough to cover the tour when it hit Austin, and all night long I kept bumping into a videographer filming the show. It turns out there were a number of videographers who worked the various shows throughout the tour, and this DVD is the end result.
This is how you make a real concert video.
I've watched lots and lots of live concert footage released on DVD, and it seems the more "professional" the filming, editing, and equipment, the more energy and excitement gets sucked out of the end product. I know that few of the concert videos I've owned or reviewed ever get watched more than once. All the MTV-like 3 second cutaways and the swirling zooming telescopic camera angles get me dizzy. I actually got nauseated trying to watch Motorhead's last performance DVD, and I pity the camera man that had to ride the platform to get all those helicopter-like zooms.
Les Claypool's video is nothing like that. Stripped down, lean, mean, not without flaws, this is a bare bones, almost archival, video of last year's tour. After watching this video I got the feeling of being at a Les Claypool concert, not watching some fancy Hollywood production number. It helps that I actually WAS at this concert; at least five songs from the DVD were filmed at their Austin gig at La Zona Rosa, but even the bits filmed at other venues in Cleveland, Boston, and New York still impart that same feeling.
Les Claypool at La Zona Rosa - more photos... photo by jeff barringer - staff photographer |
This disc is not without flaws. It was not filmed under perfect light conditions in pre-screened locations. In fact I found that the videographer in Austin and I both had to deal with the same issues, and neither of us were able to correct well on the fly. There are a number of sequences from the Austin show where the limited light caused us both focus problems, with our cameras focusing on the subject with the most light rather than what we were aiming at, but that is the nature of the beast. On the up side, when there was enough light the video was clear as a bell, and they take lots of extended close ups of Les and the other members playing. Additionally, the audio quality itself is topnotch and worthy of release as a standalone CD.
I have to mention that I really like the titles, with each sequence of songs from each location being introduced with one of Les' hand drawn cartoon set lists. I also like the outtakes portion where Les takes on idiot audience members, or offers outrageous intros for the band members. Whether you made it to his show last year or not, this is a great way to experience what it was like from the comfort of your home. And if you DID see him at one of these venues it'll bring back lots of great memories.
Les Claypool at La Zona Rosa - more photos... photo by jeff barringer - staff photographer |
Les Claypool and his Fancy Band will be touring in support of this DVD release starting Saturday at the Summer Camp festival in Chillicothe, IL, ending at the All Good Music Festival in Masontown, WV on July 14th. For complete tour information
click here. Club Kingsnake will be covering this years tour, look for us in Austin and Milwaukee!
Track List -
Up On The Roof (Austin, Tx)
Of Whales and Woe (Austin, Tx)
Rumble Of The Diesel (Cleveland, Oh)
Long In The Tooth (Cleveland, Oh)
Vernon The Company Man (New York, NY)
Holy Mackerel (Austin, Tx)
Phantom Patriot (Austin, Tx)
Cosmic Highway (New York, NY)
Filipino Ray (Boston, Mass)
The Big Eyeball In The Sky (Cleveland, Oh)
D's Diner (Cleveland, Oh)
One Better (Austin, Tx)
Encore
Running The Gauntlet
American Life/Iowan Gal
Lust Stings