Return to Forever: Live at Montreux 2008
Now thirty some years later, RTF reunited for a tour that coincided with the release of their anthology, which brings us to this offering. Available both in DVD and Blu-ray formats, this is a beautifully recorded concert from their 2008 appearance at the Montreux Festival. We hear Di Meola wielding his classic Les Paul as well as his new PRS Prism signature model, a beautiful tiger-top PRS and some nice acoustics. While the fire of youth may be spent, the wisdom of experience lingers and a fine performance is what we get. Al can still burn it up, and the whole band appears to be digging on the fact they get to play their old tunes once again. The sound and picture on the Blu-ray are perfection, with ideal camera angles and cuts that enhance the viewing experience rather than detract from it. It’s a pure pleasure to hear and see these masters at work together. —PS
List $14.98 DVD
List $24.98 Blu-ray
eaglerockent.com
Black Label Society: Skullage CD/DVD
The DVD provides a well-rounded retrospective of the band in several formats. It shows off Zakk playing a solo version of “Spoke in the Wheel,” full band renditions of various live songs, a batch of the band’s most popular music videos and never-before-seen footage from Zakk’s “Slightly Amped” acoustic performances with Nick Catanese on their “Blessed Hellride” promotional tour. While this all stacks up as the meat and potatoes of the DVD, some of the coolest footage features Zakk at home in L.A. The BLS front man gives an MTV Cribs-esque tour of his house, including the coveted guitar room where many of his legendary Gibson guitars and Marshall amps and cabs from the “Wall of Doom” reside when not on tour. A personal favorite of the collection has to be the one-off paint job on a Les Paul by none other than the prince of darkness, Ozzy Osbourne. Another gearhead moment occurs when Zakk is shown working on a George Metropoulos Marshall Plexi replica kit on the kitchen table. Also, in between some beer swilling and weightlifting, Zakk opens up about the lyrical concepts on some of BLS’ more poignant songs. And to show that some things, when done by certain people, can still be labeled metal, he shows off his eclectic Barbie collection—rivaling his guitars in number and personal value.
Fair warning, for those who don’t like beer chugging, vulgar language and pick squeals galore, this package may not be your type of brew. But for those who can stomach it,Skullageoffers BLS fans—new and old—a chance to own a cross section of the band’s best recorded songs, stunning live performances and never-before-seen footage of Zakk having some downtime at home. —CK
List $24.98
eaglerockent.com
Books
Motley Crue: A Visual History 1983–2005
With his latest book, legendary rock photographer Neil Zlozower celebrates the band that defined rock 'n' roll decadence. Accompanied by first-person accounts from managers, clothing designers, Nikki Sixx’s tech, the band’s head of security and others within the band’s inner pentagram, the 232- page book offers a glimpse into the business of rock imagery, not to mention debauchery.
Picking up in 1983, the band’sToo Fast For Love years are missing, but the Crüe that is probably tattooed on your brain—the big hair, Road Warrior, Warlock bass,Shout at the Devil-era Crüe—is preserved in all its glory and evolves into more of a wicked circus as you turn the pages. The photographs comprise Zlozower’s performance shots, studio sessions with the band (including the infamous “blood session”) and behind-thescenes candids. Whether posing in straitjackets, kicking back in the studio between takes, or strutting on a stage with full-on‘80s rock rigging, Crüe embodied their image with unquestionable authority, and Zlozower was there with the right angle or access to get the shot. The degree to which the photo selection was kept somewhat family- friendly is the only thing some Crüe fans will question. You just know there are shots in Zlozower’s Crüe stash that could’ve been filed under “Caligula” just as easily.
This book isn’t about that, though—despite the inevitable shots of a few ‘T’s and, unfortunately, Tommy’s ‘A.’ Rather, this book documents a rock 'n' roll image that was carefully crafted in an attempt to keep up with a band that pushed limits, flirted with death enough times to actually experience it, and wrote an anthem that is played in every strip club in America every single night. —JC
List $35
chroniclebooks.com
By the Time We Got to Woodstock: The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Revolution of 1969
By the Time We Got to Woodstockis half memoir, half documentary. He describes the experience of being a part of the “counterculture,” but includes a great deal of background on the political and social events through which rock’n’roll percolated. Through recollections, news reports, interviews then and now, and writings of some of the monumental personalities of the day, he tells the story of the pivotal year when the hippies’ utopian dream went down in flames.
It’s a fascinating tale, and well worth reading, however sometimes the language is a bit over-the-top and sensational. Ah, but so were the times! —GDP
List $19.99
backbeatbooks.com