DVD Review: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Live
By Glenn McDonald
When it comes to those Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremonies––the inductions, the speeches, the performances––you’re really looking for one thing: spectacle. And that’s certainly what you get with Time-Life’s mammoth 9-disc Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Live.
As with certain big-ticket movie events, such as Avatar or the various summer popcorn movies, you want to be shown sights you haven’t seen, marvels and wonders and curiosities. A planet of blue aliens, for instance. Or an otherwise impossible all-star performance of “I Saw Her Standing There” with George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, John Fogerty, Mick Jagger and Billy Joel.
It’s hard enough getting these sorts of luminaries in the same hemisphere, never mind on the same stage. Haters will forever complain that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and its annual events are too stodgy, too staged, too corporate––everything rock and roll is supposed to be pushing against.
Well, maybe. But someone has to chronicle the larger pop cultural significance of rock, and provide a place to party for the 90 percent of rock royalty that didn’t die before they got old. It takes a certain sustained churlishness to deny the fun of this collection.
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So let’s get down to business on specifics. At $120, nine discs and more than 24 hours of total running time, the R&R HOF collection is a big investment in time and money. Like any collection of this size, the idea is to dip into the DVDs at a leisurely pace, a few hours at a time.tallica, U2, ZZ Top and Jackson Browne. If there’s a pattern here, I’m missing it.
But that’s half the fun, isn’t it? You’ll be drilling down to your personal favorites first in any case, and much of the appeal of these performances comes from the odd pairings and juxtapositions.
There are a million highlights, of course, but some really stand out. Don’t miss Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders with Neil Young (2005; Disc 8), an idea that––when you think about it––makes a lot of sense. Another must-see is Bruce Springsteen and Axl Rose duetting on the Beatles “Come Together” (2001; Disc 7)––an idea that makes no sense, but works anyway.
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Video quality across all DVDs is entirely adequate, if unspectacular. Some sequences are grainer than others, naturally, and some of the transitions can be jarring as overall visual direction changes from ceremony to ceremony.
Sound and audio direction is terrific throughout, however. I tested multiple discs using both provided audio formats – 5.1 Surround Sound and 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo. The performances really come to life with multiple-speaker surround sound, and I haven’t been this proud of my home theater system in years.
Extras are included on each disc––rehearsal footage and some modest backstage scenes. There’s nothing particularly compelling here, but I like that they’ve added the full, unedited versions of the various induction and acceptance speeches.
Disc 9 is an extra in itself––the entire 1996 Concert for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame featuring, among others, John Mellencamp, Lou Reed, the Kinks, Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart, John Fogerty, James Brown and Al Green.
With a DVD set this size, the “best” parts of the collection depend entirely on each individual viewer’s favorite artists or personal taste. The older soul and funk acts on Disc 6 are in heavy rotation with me, but you might have a whole other priority system.
All told, this is a collection I’m certainly glad to have on the shelf. It’s utterly professional, highly polished and more generous than is strictly required to be at this price point. And perhaps most importantly, the creators and compilers remember that rock and roll––especially in rarefied heights like these––is as much about pure spectacle as anything else.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Live delivers––spectacularly.
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DISC 1
Light My Fire
[1] – Mick Jagger, Bruce Springsteen, And The Rock Hall Jam Band
I Saw Her Standing There – 1988
[2] – Cream
Sunshine Of Your Love – 1993
[3] – Roy Orbison With Bruce Springsteen And The Rock Hall Jam Band
Oh, Pretty Woman – 1987
[4] – John Fogerty & Friends
Green River – 1993
[5] – The Doors With Eddie Vedder
Light My Fire – 1993
[6] – Crosby, Stills & Nash With Tom Petty
For What It’s Worth – 1997
[7] – Jefferson Airplane
Volunteers – 1996
[8] – Santana With Peter Green
Black Magic Woman – 1998
[9] – Crosby, Stills & Nash With James Taylor And Emmylou Harris
Teach Your Children – 1997
[10] – Jackson Browne
Running On Empty – 2004
[11] – The Band With Eric Clapton
The Weight – 1994
[12] – Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
The Promised Land – 1999
[13] – Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne,
Steve Winwood And Dhani Harrison
Handle With Care – 2004
[14] – Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Steve Winwood,
Dhani Harrison And Prince
While My Guitar Gently Weeps – 2004
[15] – Paul McCartney
And The Rock Hall Jam Band
Let It Be – 1999
Back to the Top of the Page
DVD Cover Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame – Sweet Emotion – DVD
DISC 2
Sweet Emotion
[1] – Jackson Browne And Melissa Etheridge
Wake Up Little Susie
The Concert For The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame – 1988
[2] – Mick Jagger, Bruce Springsteen And The Rock Hall Jam Band
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction – 1988
[3] – Mick Jagger, Tina Turner And The Rock Hall Jam Band
Honky Tonk Women – 1989
[4] – James Taylor
Woodstock
A Tribute to Joni Mitchell – 1997
[5] – Crosby, Stills & Nash
Wooden Ships – 1997
[6] – R.E.M. With Eddie Vedder
Man On The Moon – 2007
[7] – Aerosmith With Kid Rock
Sweet Emotion – 2001
[8] – ZZ Top
La Grange – 2004
[9] – ZZ Top
Tush – 2004
[10] – AC / DC
Highway to Hell – 2003
[11] – Metallica
Master Of Puppets – 2009
[12] – Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out – 1999
[13] – U2
Pride (In The Name Of Love) – 2005
[14] – The Rock Hall Jam Band
All Along The Watchtower
A Tribute To Jimi Hendrix – 1992
DISC 3
Start Me Up
[1] – The Who And The Rock Hall Jam Band
Won’t Get Fooled Again – 1990
[2] – Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers
American Girl – 2002
[3] – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Sweet Home Alabama – 2006
[4] – The Righteous Brothers
You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ – 2003
[5] – The Byrds With Don Henley And Jackson Browne
Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is A Season) – 1991
[6] – The Mamas & The Papas
California Dreamin’ – 1998
[7] – Cream
Born Under A Bad Sign – 1993
[8] – Traffic
Dear Mr. Fantasy – 2004
[9] – Stevie Nicks And Lindsey Buckingham
Landslide – 1998
[10] – Fleetwood Mac
Say You Love Me – 1998
[11] – Queen With Dave Grohl And Taylor Hawkins
Tie Your Mother Down – 2001
[12] – Billy Joel
Only The Good Die Young – 1999
[13] – Mick Jagger And The Rock Hall Jam Band
Start Me Up – 1989
[14] – John Mellencamp
Pink Houses – 2008
[15] – U2 With Bruce Springsteen
I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For – 2005
DISC 4
Feelin’ Alright
[1] – Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry And The Rock Hall Jam Band
Roll Over Beethoven – 1986
[2] – Little Richard
Tutti-Frutti
The Concert For The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame – 1995
[3] – Bo Diddley With Robbie Roberston And Eric Clapton
Bo Diddley – 2005
[4] – Eric Clapton With Robbie Robertson
Farther On Up The Road – 2000
[5] – Little Richard
(Sittin On) The Dock Of The Bay – 1989
[6] – Tina Turner And The Rock Hall Jam Band
River Deep—Mountain High – 1989
[7] – Etta James
At Last – 1993
[8] – The Isley Brothers And The Rock Hall Jam Band
Shout – 1992
[9] – Chubby Checker And The Rock Hall Jam Band
The Twist – 1986
[10] – The Ronettes
Be My Baby – 2007
[11] – Little Richard, Mick Jagger And The Rock Hall Jam Band
I Can’t Turn You Loose
A Tribute To Otis Redding – 1989
[12] – Joan Jett, John Mellencamp, John Fogerty And Billy Joel
Glad All Over
A Tribute To The Dave Clark Five – 2008
[13] – The Rascals
People Got To Be Free – 1997
[14] – Dave Mason And The Rock Hall Jam Band
Feelin’ Alright – 2004
[15] – James Taylor And The Rock Hall Jam Band
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – 2000
[16] – Jeff Beck With Jimmy Page
Beck’s Bolero – 2009
[17] – Kid Rock And The Rock Hall Jam Band
Sweet Little Rock and Roller – 2004
[18] – Chuck Berry with Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Johnny B. Goode
DISC 5
Whole Lotta Shakin’
[1] – Billy Joel And The Rock Hall Jam Band
What’d I Say
A Tribute To Ray Charles – 1986
[2] – Johnny Cash And The Rock Hall Jam Band
Big River – 1992
[3] – Ben E. King And The Rock Hall Jam Band
Stand By Me – 1988
[4] – Jerry Lee Lewis
Whole Lot Of Shakin’ Going On – 2005
[5] – Ruth Brown With Bonnie Raitt
Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean – 1993
[6] – John Lee Hooker With Bonnie Raitt
I’m In The Mood – 1991
[7] – Buddy Guy With B. B. King And Eric Clapton
Let Me Love You Baby – 2005
[8] – Billy Joel With Bonnie Raitt
Runaway
A Tribute To Del Shannon – 1999
[9] – Paul McCartney And The Rock Hall Jam Band
Blue Suede Shoes – 1999
[10] – John Fogerty & Friends
Born On The Bayou – 1993
[11] – The Doors With Eddie Vedder
Break On Through – 1993
[12] – Bruce Springsteen & The E Steet Band
Backstreets – 1999
[13] – Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Ron Wood, Joe Perry, Flea, And Metallica
The Train Kept A-Rollin’ – 2009
DISC 6
I’ll Take You There
[1] – Percy Sledge
When A Man Loves A Woman – 2005
[2] – The O’Jays
Love Train – 2005
[3] – Jerry Butler
Only The Strong Survive
A Tribute To Gamble & Huff – 2008
[4] – Solomon Burke
Cry To Me – 2001
[5] – Martha & The Vandellas
Dancing In The Street – 1995
[6] – The Four Tops And The Rock Hall Jam Band
I Can’t Help Myself – 1990
[7] – Booker T. & The MG’s And The Rock Hall Jam Band
Green Onions – 1992
[8] – Issac Hayes
Theme From Shaft – 2002
[9] – The Staple Singers
I’ll Take You There – 1999
[10] – Aretha Franklin
Don’t Play That Song
A Tribute To Ahmet Ertegun – 2007
[11] – Aretha Franklin
I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)
A Tribute To Ahmet Ertegun – 2007
[12] – Al Green
Take Me To The River – 1995
[13] – Parliament-Funkadelic
Tear The Roof Off The Sucker (Give Up the Funk) – 1997
[14] – Wilson Pickett With Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
In The Midnight Hour – 1999
DISC 7
Come Together
[1] – Green Day
Blitzkrieg Bop – 2002
[2] – Blonde
Call Me – 2006
[3] – Elvis Costello & The Imposters
(What’s So Funny ’Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding – 2003
[4] – Bruce Springsteen And Axl Rose
Come Together A Tribute To John Lennon – 2001
[5] – The Doors With Eddie Vedder
Roadhouse Blues – 1993
[6] – John Fogerty & Friends
Who’ll Stop The Rain – 1993
[7] – Cream
Crossroads – 1993
[8] – Jackson Browne
The Pretender – 2004
[9] – Patti Smith Group
Because The Night – 2007
[10] – Patti Smith Group
People Have The Power – 2002
[11] – Jonny Lang And Jeff Beck
Be-Bop-A-Lula
A Tribute to Gene Vincent – 1999
[12] – Jeff Beck
People Get Ready
A Tribute To Rod Stewart – 1994
DISC 8
Message Of Love
[1] – The Who And The Rock Hall Jam Band
Substitute – 1990
[2] – The Who And The Rock Hall Jam Band
Pinball Wizard – 1990
[3] – Melissa Etheridge
Piece Of My Heart
A Tribute To Janis Joplin – 1995
[4] – James Taylor
Fire And Rain – 2000
[5] – Bee Gees
Massachusetts – 1997
[6] – Bee Gees
You Should Be Dancing – 1997
[7] – John Mellencamp
Small Town – 2008
[8] – Bonnie Raitt with Melissa Etheridge and Bruce Hornsby
Thing Called Love – 2000
[9] – The Pretenders
Message Of Love – 2005
[10] – The Pretenders
My City Was Gone – 2005
[11] – The Pretenders
Precious – 2005
[12] – Metallica
Iron Man
A Tribute To Black Sabbath – 2006
[13] – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Free Bird – 2006
DISC 9
Concert For The Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame
[1] – John Mellencamp
R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A.
[2] – Eric Burdon And Bon Jovi
It’s My Life
[3] – Aretha Franklin
(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
[4] – Lou Reed And Soul Asylum
Sweet Jane
[5] – The Allman Brothers Band with Sheryl Crow
Midnight Rider
[6] – The Kinks
All Day And All Of The Night
[7] – Ann And Nancy Wilson
The Battle Of Evermore
[8] – John Fogerty with Booker T. & The MG’’s
Fortunate Son
[9] – James Brown
I Got You (I Feel Good)
[10] – Al Green
Tired Of Being Alone – 2005
[11] – Al Green
A Change Is Gonna Come – 2005
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