| I was fortunate enough to see the Pet Shop Boys in concert during this concert tour in Chicago, in 1990. This is the same concert that they took on the road around the world, and was very true to the performance that I saw, which was very thrilling. This was no simple concert - the fans of the Pet Shop Boys, having come to expect much from them in terms of quality and innovation, were treated to a concert performance that was part music video, part Broadway/West End music, part modern opera, and part simple, old-fashioned concert singing. Something for everyone, indeed. The music quality on this is superb - despite being a `live' performance video, the music has been enhanced and corrected to allow for the best possible quality. This is very much a live performance, but with the kind of technical skill and back-up that the music of the Pet Shop Boys requires (Neil Tennant once made the comment that the Pet Shop Boys were probably never going to be able to `make it live' because of the technological requirements for their songs. The songs include the following: This must be the place I waited years to leave It's a sin Losing my mind What have I done to deserve this? My October symphony I'm not scared We all feel better in the dark So sorry, I said Suburbia So hard Opportunities (let's make lots of money) How can you expect to be taken seriously? Rent Where the streets have no name (I can't take my eyes off you) West End girls Jealousy Always on my mind Your funny uncle The DVD has a complete performance of the whole concert; those watching the video will notice a modified `Where the streets have no name' because of some sort of licensing dispute with the song copyright owners. The choreography is stunning, as are the sets, costumes and production values. Eric Watson, who has worked with the PSB more often than any other director for their videos, is also the director here. Other performers include vocals by Sylvia Mason-James, Pam Sheyne, and Derek Green; Scott Davidson and J.J. Belle provide additional instrumental back-up (both have worked with the PSB frequently). This is a very postmodern performance in many ways, and one that has details that come out only upon repeated viewings.
|
Als Pet Shop Boys Fan hört man ja viel von der großartigen Performance-Tour, die Neil Tennant und Chris Lowe vor einem Jahrzehnt rund um die Welt hingelegt haben. Nun, als ich zugegriffen habe, und mir das Video endlich zugelgt habe, weiß ich, dass das mein bisher erfolgreichster Video-Kauf war! Man merkt, dass der Akt, der Musikerzeugung auf der Bühne nicht die Idee der Boys von einem Konzert ist. Daher keine sichtbaren Musiker oder Instrumente. Ihnen geht es um das Inzinieren der Musik in Bilder und Geschichten. Und mit diesem Video ist das eindeutig gelungen. Ein akustisch wie auch optisch mitreißendes Muss für jeden Fan. Großes Poptheater pur.
|