CLASSIC ROCK LEGENDS (DVD)

Certainly one of my favourite DVDs out at the moment. Fairly pricey, but it does pop up on amazon at a reasonable price from time to time. Just keep an eye out for it. This features the original four line- up of Richard Sinclair, David Sinclair, Pye Hastings and Richard Coughlin. Great sound and a very competent DVD. It's not 5.1 but it is stereo. For those who would've liked to have seen the original Caravan line-up, here it is in all its glory. I have included other reviews for this DVD which I've come across on the WWW...and these are very accurate reviews. One mentions the lack of analogue keyboards which is indeed true, but David Sinclair does manage to get them sounding rustic in that Canterbury distorted fashion we've all grown to know and love(perhaps sounding more like Dave Stewart's work in Bruford). My only complaint is that I wish it were longer. It's a little over one hour in length. The other Caravan DVD in my collection is Live In The USA(which is OK). _Live In Concert_ (this DVD) is the place to start. I give it a 4 star rating as it is only about an hour in length and expensive(even for an import). The performance, however, gets a 4.5 out of 5. Pye Hastings is in perfect voice. Close your eyes and you might even hear a little Robert Wyatt. Recommended for fans and prog. enthusiasts alike. Here are the other reviews I've come across(@ AMAZON.COM):

Favourites Made Visual, Feb 21 2004 By Robert Carlberg (Seattle)

The DVD of Caravan live that I ordered from Classic Rock Productions came in the mail today. As I suspected/hoped, it's the 1990 Bedrock TV production (released on CD in 1993 by Demon/Code 90), which was a very high budget affair -- 6 or 7 cameras (including a couple on booms), 24-track recording, huge stage, absolutely fabulous sound, and overall a great show. It was broadcast once in England (at like 3:30 am!) and then locked away in a vault for 13 years. For some reason two short tracks on the Code 90 CD are NOT included in the DVD, If I Could Do It All Over Again and In The Land of Grey and Pink which is a shame, but what's here is great quality stuff. The CD has been a perpetual favourite of mine for the past decade & change so I'm happy to add the visuals accompanying it to my collection.

Jigsaw puzzles on a tree, Dec 16 2002 By A Customer

There is no arse shakin, hair flinging or head bangin' goin on at this 1989 gig. But what we have is the original line-up including Pye's brother Jimmy Hastings on sax and very lyrical flute. Their songs and sound have a unique and unforced, esoteric English tone to them. Pye and Richard Sinclair share vocals (they sing, not scream) with an air of sincerity. There are times when the drummer really gets his kit and the whole band swinging, and Richard Sinclair's fretless Fender bass is musical and a great joy (look for the decal of a little mouse holding a giftbox on the front of the bass, quite funny). To me this is the definitive lineup. I bought this dvd with some reservation, but it gets played as much or more than any others...when I want to hear some good, unorthodox English rock yet not get blasted or srceamed at.

My criticism is they chose to use digital keyboards instead of real organ, electric piano (and analog synth if any).

This gets played in my home often and I'm sure I'll watch it again very soon.

Classic..., Jul 10 2002 By nessy (Nashua, NH United States)

I was lucky enough to buy this DVD on NEARFest 2002 Prog Rock festival for less and had it signed by current Caravan line-up! ( Not to mention that their show on NEARFest was great, easly the best festival performance!) I cannot rate myself as great Caravan/Canterbury fun, but I really enjoy their set! The concert recorded on the DVD took place about 10-15 years long. Caravan was in the great form then ( and now) it played their classic: For Richard, White Wine, Ten Feet Underground, etc. The concert represents Caravan classic line-up: Sinclair bros, Pye Hastings, their original drummer, etc. Highly recommended for Canterbury nuts and all prog heads!