SPACE RITUAL (2CD+DVD)

I decided to sit down and review the DVD part of the Space Ritual album. You will all know the double album / CD represents the best Hawkwind had to offer at this stage of their career and is a four star 'must have'. WARNING - this is not a DVD of the gig as I hoped it would be. It's an audio disc accompanied by the sort of images, graphics, projections, patterns you would see projected onto the backdrop of any Hawks show. I guess if I was back in my student days it would be great to wack the volume up to 11, roll a large one, and enjoy the pretty pictures but hey, it's just not what I expected. On the plus side, the DVD includes great promo footage of them performing Silver Machine and Urban Guerilla. The footage is remarkably clear but suffers from the 'let's put loads of flashy, strobey stuff on it' mentality that blights so much film from the period. Having the live footage gives Silver Machine a different context and it stops it from just washing over you. Urban Guerilla is less exciting and is very 'orange'. A rare chance to see Stacia strut her stuff though......something I was too young to see live. So, don't get excited about a owning a DVD of the mighty Hawks 'live'. Dig out the vinyl, put on your favourite side and enjoy.