The Stereophonics Collection DVD

The Stereophonics have come a long way since their Cardiff pub-band days. The NME even went so far as to blast a picture of Kelly Jones onto the houses of Parliament proclaiming Kelly and Cerys Matthews (of the late Catatonia) the King and Queen of Wales. All be it a cunning publicity stunt for the NME, this was still an important point in the development of the Welsh music scene. Although The Sterophonics may lack the political warbling power of the Manic Street Preachers, the whine of Catatonia and the experimental licence of the Super Furry Animals, what these boys... offered to Wales and beyond is bouncing feel-good rock, with some great ballads and an enigmatic front man in Kelly. On the June 12, 1998 the 'Phonics played Cardiff Castle taking there music back to their roots--all be it on a much grander scale--and they played their hearts out with their back catalogue of tunes. The disappointment of the gig is that there are just not enough songs to justify the size of this event. Sure they filled the castles mock arena and people seemed to have a good time, but unlike most artists who take on gigs this size, these boys just don't have a vast back catalogue of albums to fall back. On the DVD: this limited-edition three-disc set is a must for all Sterophonics fans. With a live recording of their gig at Cardiff Castle you have the option to pick out your favourite song from "Last of the Big Time Drinkers" to "Looks Like Chaplin". The gig is intercut with interviews with the fans at the gig and the band themselves. Along with this you have another great gig taken from their Performance and Cocktails tour, Live at Morafa Stadium, this time with a choice of 21 songs, it offers "the best party they've ever thrown" apparently. With Dolby Surround Sound there is certainly no missing out on the atmosphere of the gigs and the editing of the Cardiff gig is great, although the recording at Morafa Stadium leaves a lot to be desired on the visual front. Disc three offers the real meat of the Special Features. "Roll Up" galleries the band's music videos from their two albums, Performance and Cocktails and Word Gets Around, including their video version of Apocalypses Now for "The Bartender and the Thief" and the Mini-tastic version of the Italian Job for "Pick a Part that's New". It is actually amazing to see how many of their videos pay homage to great films. Their collaboration with the Daddy of Welsh music, Mama Told Me Not To Come is also included, possibly one of the best songs from Tom Jones' Reload album. "More Life" shows the making of the Music videos and "In the Photography" offers a photo selection from the "making of" videos. All in all this is a great package.--Nikki Disney [show more]

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