PASTPRESENT

Though given the same name as a 1989 compilation originating around the same time, and including many of the same tracks, this vintage video is essentially a documentary about the family group from Donegal who had stormed the British charts in the mid 1980s. Live footage is juxtaposed with videos set to the studio recordings, including lavish official offerings like "Hourglass" and "The Hunter", acknowledging the primarily promotional aspect of the film.

Often only excerpts are included in favour of commentary from band members about the group early history and evolution, black and white photographs of childhood, musical interests which transcend not only Irish folk but folk music in general, a visit to the old elementary school, and splendiferous seascape and landscape vistas. Maire is most often depicted and quoted, not surprisingly given her role as lead vocalist, harpist, and photogenic archetype. She even talks about the reticence in collaborating with Bono on hit single "In a Lifetime", given how they had always implicitly been a self sufficient "family" band. Still, prog veteran Mel Collins has been a long time associate in wondrous ways, and I admit disappointment that he is not to be seen during the sax solo on the official video.

While "Pastpresent" does not appear to have seen a DVD release, apparently a few laserdisc versions are around, and this is worth picking up if you would like an intimate and often magnificent visual document of these legends at their peak.