Concert DVDs by David Bowie, “David Bowie,a Reality Tour,” and Calexico, “World Drifts In (Live At The Barbican London)”
A good concert DVD captures the essence of a show, and David Bowie’s disc from last year’s tour does that. The DVD has everything you’d expect from a rock legend: big production, panoramic stage shots, cuts to screaming fans and backstage footage of Bowie and his band.
The music is top-notch, an ode to the 57-year-old Bowie and his band, which replicates songs from his five-decade career with precision and nuance. A highlight is bassist Gail Ann Dorsey’s singing of Freddy Mercury’s part on the duet “Under Pressure.” The show mixes old and new songs, some of which are good but aren’t Bowie’s best work. Classics such as “Rebel Rebel,” “Fame” and “Heroes” are crowd pleasers. A cover of The Pixies’ “Cactus” and 1997’s “I’m Afraid of Americans” show Bowie’s not just about nostalgia.
Even so, the disc works best as a souvenir for those who saw Bowie on his 2004 tour. (The show was shot in Ireland but is nearly identical to Bowie’s April show at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim). “David Bowie,a Reality Tour” falls short of a great concert disc, which captures the essence of a show and then takes on a life of its own.
That’s the case with “World Drifts In (Live At The Barbican London)” from Tucson band Calexico. The disc lacks the lavish production of Bowie’s, though the vivid and intimate footage is as good as any. And it captures a unique performance.
The first half features Calexico playing its brand of alternative rock, which mixes folk, country, jazz and mariachi. Tucson’s Mariachi Luz de Luna, an eight-piece ensemble in glittering mariachi outfits, then joins the band. The visual is stirring, the sound powering as the musicians play Calexico’s own mariachi-inspired songs and traditional Mexican canci & #243;nes. We’re not talking corny renditions of “Guadalajara” or “Guantanamera,” but evocative songs that blend Mexican, Spanish, Italian and even gypsy and Southwest elements. France chanteuse Fran & #231;oiz Breut adds to the mix on a couple of songs.
The risk for Calexico is delving into the sometimes hokey, even exploitive, realm of world music. But the band’s approach is genuine and seems to be borne of a love of blending music into something bigger than its parts. The disc is a must for members of Calexico’s small cult following and could appeal to anyone with a musical adventurous streak.
,Michael Lyster
