From our friends at Prognose

Yes, yet another DVD from Mostly Autumn, but don’t worry, this one is something special. The V in V Shows originally stood for the Roman V as in fifth album, so they would be the shows to promote the newest album. But the change in line-up changed the time table and now the V stands for Visual and this certainly becomes obvious after watching this DVD. The booklet even mentions V as in Victory.
The change in line-up happened behind the drums. Andrew Jennings, brother of keyboard player Iain, is the newest member. There wasn’t a lot of time to rehearse for these shows, with only a few warm up shows before the DVD recordings. But he someway managed to get to know the whole set list and he even did a great job behind his kit. You can read the whole story in the beautiful booklet (48 pages) that goes with the DVD. It contains a lot of beautiful pictures and interesting stories about the band, the show and the people behind the scenes. The whole package contains 2 DVD’s and the booklet all packed in a great hard cover to fit perfectly next to the Opera House DVD in your closet.

The first DVD contains the first part of the show, which is a rendering of the complete “Passengers” album. Just before the shows hit the road, a DTS version of “Passengers” was released, with of course the special digital surround sound but also a complete change in track order. And this order was used during the V shows. It’s different but I rather like it. It’s certainly a good idea to start off with “Caught In A Fold”.

The second DVD contains a best of their career, so most of you already know these songs, but the addition of the Regent String Quartet and the help of Troy Donockley (from Iona), give this tracks a new ‘look’. For example, “The Night Sky“ starts quietly with Troy on a flute, followed by a great instrumental, symphonic piece with the help of the string ensemble, the guitar, the keyboards and Troy on some electric pipes.
The laser version of “Evergreen”, the best I ever saw or heard, is one of their quietest tracks that ends with a rocking climax.
For “Never The Rainbow”, Heather puts her hat back on en declares: “ It’s time to rock!”. Bryan proves he can also rock on his guitar, Iain gets a Hensley Hammond solo out of his keyboard and Andrew shows how well he’s integrated in the band on such a short notice. (Although Bryan tells the audience he found Andrew on a scrap yard ;-)) As first encore, Bryan announces a little bluesy tune but it turns out to be a 17 minute version of Mother Nature.
I never liked covers by MA. No, not even the “Comfortably Numb” or “Smoke on the water” and my opinion hasn’t changed with the second encore, a cover of the Genesis track “Afterglow”. It really doesn’t fit Mostly Autumn, knowing that they have so many great tracks of their own, they don’t need these covers.

The quality of the images and the shots is unbelievable. This is how every live DVD should look like. The skill of the film crew and the quality of the superb lightshow produce a concert DVD of a level I haven’t often witnessed. The laser show delivers something extra, with sometimes projections of little figures on walls and audience. And we sometimes compare Mostly Autumn with Pink Floyd and Bryan with David Gilmour, but what about the round video screen on the back of the stage?
And I didn’t even mention the sound yet. I have a lot of DVD’s in my possession, but this one certainly belongs on top of the sound quality ladder. What a surround!!! Often, the surround feature is used to make you feel amongst the audience but on this one you’re really on stage amongst the musicians. Everything comes from everywhere. Just listen to “Distant Train“ where you get an extra symphonic dimension because of the “surrounding” surround feature.

If you want to own a DVD by Mostly Autumn, this is the one to buy and don’t wait too long because it’s a limited edition (2000 copies) and there will be no retail version. So you have to buy it via www.mostly-autumn.com

 

I'm watching this great DVD set again and its just really great, this is a band that should be headlining shows around the world. Something new from CRP is that this is a loud DVD they have been at a very low volume in the past, I really like having to turn it down a little better than crank it up all the just to hear it.

Just a great follow up to the last limited edition the Opera house, this one is also no fluff, just a concert film with no interviews between songs, so it has a real concert flow, ... this is one of the best concert DVDs of the year, and would be a great edition to the Mostly Autumn concert series on CD.

Dave S.
 
There's nothing more I can really add to the many great reviews that have already been posted - this DVD was well worth the wait. My summary?

- a real step forward in performance and presentation at all levels.

- Andrew Jennings does a great job as the new man behind the kit (not bad for someone "found in a scrapyard"!)

- it's fascinating to see how the Passengers songs have developed live.

- while always a fantastic singer, Heather is undoubtedly developing into a great front-woman (albeit she seems to have acquired a rather worrying taste in eccentric footwear!).

- Iain Jennings must be in the running for the "Man of a Thousand Hairstyles" award.

- this band just keeps on getting better!

Roger N
I received my copy of the V Shows just this past Saturday afternoon 21st of August. I've watched both DVDs twice now. This is a great sequel to the "Next Chapter" DVD that I purchased in June.

The group did a magnificent job with the "Passengers" tracks on disc 1 and to my amusement, it looked like Storm Thorgerson did the graphics for the back screen. Especially for "Distant Train" and "Answer The Question". Disk 2 had background pix of past rockers and those of influence from the 1960's and early 1970's. Imagine my surprise at seeing Roger Waters and Sid Barrett on the back screen. A bit more emphasis on the lazer/light show would have been nice, but, I imagine that the cameos of the performers was more important than just a pretty stage show. At times it seemed as though the music was quickened in pace along with a few missed beats, but, it was enjoyable none the less.

Andrew Jennings did a superb job on drums, in my opinion, better than Jonathan Blackmore.

Bryan Josh was delightfully surprising with his lead guitar licks to change some of the improvs.

Heather Findley was looking beautiful and didn't have any problems singing. Smooth as silk.

Ian Jennings was solid on the Hammond and Korg. Great job!

Angela Goldthorpe was meticulous with her flute and recorders... did a very nice job with harmonies and added electric piano.

Liam Davison also, was doing a great job with rythm guitar, solo riffs and vocals.

Andy Smith kept things moving smoothly along, but, needs to come out from that trap next to the drums a bit more often. He's got some riffs that I have used for years and they need to be shown off a bit more.

In all, this is one DVD that adds a special touch to "The Next Chapter", "Passengers", "The Story So Far" DVDs and CDs. The book designing by Angela Bliss is comparable to the "Clasic Heep Live From the Byron Age"... or even 25% better. If anyone who hopes to be on the Mostly Autumn bandwagon and misses this DVD set, then I feel sorry for them. I also hope that I can still get the Pink Floyd Tribute at Warwick Castle, even if it must be at a later date. Now then, when are you cats going to return to the USA and tour for us Yanks?
Received the V shows DVD yesterday and arriving home from the pub after work couldn't resist a peak. Ended up watching both discs even though I promised myself that I should get to bed earlier and not stay up watching stuff til the early hours every night...you guessed it, I broke the promise and then of course I had to read the booklet!

My verdict?...

A very well put together package along the lines of the Grand Opera House DVD and still with the magic that MA never fail to deliver. For me though, that magic comes across far better here than it did at the Newcastle gig. The atomosphere and attendance seemed altogether more vibrant at the Astoria and of all the 3 'V' events I am glad this was the chosen venue for filming.

The Highlight?...
Well 'Mother Nature' did it for me again I'm afraid. I still think this is the best piece of music the band have done to date. It's such a beautiful song. Always brings tears to my eyes, always pulls the heart strings. You just have to surrender to this song. It demands that you listen to it. Just watching the spellbound audience during the end part of 'Mother Nature' says it all!

The 'V' shows are obviously in another league and recently have brought the band to the attention of the public more but the smaller more intimate shows that I have seen are still very special too. Remember The Junction gig in York 2002 anyone? I think that was a great little gig, in a different way and had as much charm as the 'V' shows do...The Christmas Blakey gig of 2001 was also one of the best times too, being that it was the first time I saw the band and in such a cosy venue it made for a relaxing and memorable evening... I remember thinking, 'I can't believe I've just seen such a great local rock band and professional too for £2.50'!!

So, thumbs up once again for another fantastic MA production. Keep up the good work guys. I'm looking forward to the new album...

Rachael

 
I have just viewed the V show DVD for the first time, and just love it, its the best DVD the Mostlies have done so far and captures the excitement and the emotion of the night perfectly. From a production point of view I found the camera crew were much less visible unlike the York DVD were they were crawling all over the screen.

There are no black and white rehearsal clips cut into the live show. The editing is much slicker, and the Mostlies seem more relaxed and having more fun than on the York DVD.

Lastly is there any chance this show will be released on CD? especially with a number of the Passengers songs performed differently to the studio CD.

Andrew Ellis
 
I've now had the chance to spin the "V" DVD's a few times and they bring back very fond memories of the night.

Given the full visual show I had deliberately hung towards the back of the audience to get the full effect and the DVD captures the atmosphere fantastically.

Having been at the York show and many smaller gigs it is obvious that the band are becoming very comfortable with a range of venues and formats and I hope the future will see a continuation of this, large showcase concerts (hopefully in even bigger venues) but smaller intimate gigs for that core of fans who still want the intimacy such gigs bring.

That aside, it was a brilliant concert, a well-made DVD and overall a must-have for Mostly Autumn fans. Jerry Bloom's text gives an excellent report on the build up to the show and the thinking around it.

Visually, the camera work is great and not the annoying "artistic" crap that some music concert directors feel! the need to do. The sound was good but to those of you who have not been to one of these shows - nothing beats the real thing! If the progression from the early gigs, through the York gig and onto the "V" shows is anything to go by, it bodes well for the presentation of the new album!


Thanks again for a lasting memory of a superb night.

Dr Colin W Brown
 
This disc is ace, it is the best DVD the band have produced, both technically(picture and sound),and above all musically.

I have been playing it at work today (I "work" in a HiFi shop) and it sounds and looks awesome through gear I cannot possibly afford!
I can't wait for Stratford!

Mike Foley
Got mine. It is a stunning package, superb DVD bringing back great memories of a really good show. That top I was wearing was a very unpleasant light green wasn't it?

David
I have just sat and watched both discs, I saw the Newcastle show and thought that was a great show, this just confirms that. Excellent package, well filmed, interesting reading and not forgetting a wonderful performance by the Mostlies.

Thanks everyone.

Ian Bell

This morning, Sat 20th Aug 2004, I awoke to the sound of a knock on the front door. Instinctively, I knew it could only be the postman with something too large to fit through my letterbox. "Could it be...?" I asked myself as I stumbled across the landing and raced down the stairs at breakneck speed... "could it be THE DVD?". I wrenched back the bolts on the door (no, I don't live in a castle!) and swung the door open as fast as I could. There was the postman and, underneath a few bills and junk mail was a white Jiffy Bag. There was no doubt.... this was it..... TODAY WAS THE DAY.... my 'V' show DVD had come home!

As I write this (only a few hours later) I have yet to watch the majority of the show but, I must get this message to the band, to all those involved with the production, and to ALL my fellow Mostly fans... this DVD is exceptional and a fine testament to the most inspirational and fulfilling band I've ever had the good fortune to enjoy in all my 43 years!
I was in the front row at this show, along with my guests (my partner, her father and her niece) and the DVD has successfully captured the full glory and intensity of the performance - certainly as I remember it!

May I take this opportunity to personally thank you, Bryan, Heather, Angie, Liam, Ian, Andy and Andrew for bringing so much joy to so many.
We live in Kent but we've already booked our pilgrimage to your hometown for the York show in December, to be closely followed by a trip to Shepherds Bush a few day later. A perfect way to round of an excellent MA year!

Looking forward to the new album and may I wish you continued good health and happiness.

Best wishes to you all.
Graham Cale

Hooray it arrived today!!!!!!!
I must say its well worth the wait!

Beverly Bird

I got mine this morning too. I can only repeat Graham's words. It it superb. The production of the discs is the best yet, quite superb.

It all brings back my elation at being part of such a fabulous show.

What a fabulous night, and what a superb end product.

Immense thanks to everyone involved.

Andy
Got our "V" dvd this morning and got to say the booklet is brill just watchin' the first disk and what I have seen so far its outstanding !

Matt