Product Description

Studio: Uni Dist Corp (music) Release Date: 10/20/2009

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #38644 in DVD
• Brand: Universal Studios
• Released on: 2009-10-20
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: .20 pounds
• Running time: 94 minutes

Customer Reviews

I Wanted More... More Than This...
What It Is: This DVD is a great nostalgic chronicle of the history behind Roxy, from Bryan Ferry's Art School days, early bands, and the roots leading up to what was probably the most stylistically significant group to emerge from England since the Beatles.
Recollections from Ferry, Mackay, Manzanera, Eno, Paul Thompson and Eddie Jobson are abundant, as are comments from other luminaries who were influenced by Roxy - Bono, John Taylor, Siouxsie Sioux, Steve Jones, etc, make pertinent comments on the continent-crossing influence they had on other musical movements and style trends.
Roxy were eccentric, quirky, glitzy, kitschy, seedy and sexy, and the first glimpse of the future musically. And they had musical chops to boot. For a band who became synonymous with style, they actually began as an outfit without style - they were implementing 6 or 8 musical styles simultaneously, thus making them too schizoid and original for an American audience, that is, until `Avalon', their last LP. They were the biggest touring group in Europe during the early-mid 70`s, bar none. As stated in the lyrics of an early hit, `Do The Strand', "All styles served here", and never was this more so.
Ferry was the first world-weary romantic, and this image led to the New Romantic wave in the early 80`s. Unfortunately, the bastard sons of Roxy were usually insipid, grave-robbing poseurs like Duran Duran, Human League, Heaven 17, ABC, Kissing The Pink, etc, who offered precious little new musically.
Ferry also had the uncanny ability to make covers of other artists songs all his own (all his early solo LP's were cover tunes that bore little resemblance to the originals), whether it was Neil Young's `Like A Hurricane' or John Lennon's `Jealous Guy' - as a Beatles/ Lennon freak, I never thought ANYONE could take a Lennon/McCartney tune and make it their own, but Ferry prove me wrong with his cover of `Jealous Guy' - it remains one of the greatest covers of all time.

What it's not: Unfortunately, there isn't an entire complete song or performance on the dvd, a whole music video, nothing. We get 10 or 20 seconds of a track then a comment from somebody, which kills the mood for me periodically. Also, I could do without the commentaries by journalists who were breast-feeding when this band was at the height of their prowess - they offer nothing by way of insight. Nothing at all. The main feature clocks in at only 52 minutes - I wanted more, `More Than This'...
The extras with Antony Price reflecting on the mishaps of doing all the photo shoots of their album covers was entertaining, as their LP covers had much to do with how
we perceived the band and how they were marketed - no pics of the band themselves appeared on ANY of their 8 original album covers.
The only other extras are 3 live tunes from 2006, and here we see older men replicating their material, not hungry young men seeking their first taste of fame + fortune, but aging stars who made it big and lost it along w/ their youth + hunger for `The Thrill Of It All'.

Roxy Music Deserves alot more than "More Than This"
This is not a very good documentary and I agree mostly with Mr. Rubbo's review. I have trouble putting in words how disappointed I am with this disc. It's too short. Also, too many talking heads who have little to nothing to do with the band. Bono? Why? Simon Le Bon is unexcusable and insulting. Please don't take your hatred of DuranDuran out on Roxy Music! Roxy was very image conscious, but they could also play killer music. Bad interviewing techniques and bad editing are the ruination of the film. What is missing from this documentary is an analyses of that music. Discussions of the lyrical content is slim. "No one was writing lyrics like that...," comments one the talking heads. Begs the question what lyrics? The only real attempt is a disscussion of in "Every Dream Home...," which leaves me wanting for more. Ferry appears "inarticulate" in this film because the filmmakers did not give him enough time or good questions to work with. The hint at "what could have been" is a bonus clip where Ferry is actually given a good question, about his vocal style, and answers it in a sweet and sincere way. He mentions listening to Otis Redding and just singing until he found his own style. Unfortunately, they end it there. Surely, there were other influences, definitely Lou Reed (listen the song "Casanova" and especially the word "heroin"). But THEY DO NOT TALK ANYMORE ABOUT THE BAND'S INFLUENCES! Why is the vocals clip not in the body of the film? MAKE BRYAN FERRY TALK! He's singer/songwriter not an improv artist.
This goes for the rest of band. Andy MacKay and Phil Manzanera, in particular, are cursed by little time and bad interviewing. The few seconds of Mackay and Manzanera actually playing are good, but again, MORE! For example, how did Manzanera and MacKay's songwriting collaborations with Ferry work? What was the inspiration behind Manzanera's earthshattering solo on "Amazona? When did MacKay fell it was best to play oboe on one song, but saxophone on others? The documentary's chief sin is nearly skipping over the album "Siren." Yes,they flash the album cover and mention "Love Is A Drug," and the producer says, "We knew that was going to be a hit." For the 50th time, WHY? No mention that this song is one of the defining lyrical themes of the band: that romance is addictive and transitory. One night your with someone, the next night another, but it's just a buzz. It doesn't last. Ferry was able to sing about such subjects without self-pity or self-absorption and the band throbbed in time like a lovesick heart.
The reason I give this disc 2 stars is that I found the still photographs intriguing, although they never explain when the photographs were taken. My personal favorite is a black and white 70s era photograph with a beautiful woman sitting on Ferry's lap. Who is this woman? Also, I am only of those Roxy fans who enjoys the reunion tours that the band has done recently and the 2006 Dock Rock performances are brilliant. Roxy Music was never a "youthful band," they always sounded experienced and mature with their dexterity and ability to play together. Ferry was always sounded like a mature, man of the world even when he was 26. "I tried but I could not find the way/Looking back, all I did was look away" from (Remake/Remodel first track on the first album) and the chain of advice at the end of "Editions of You" especially "Old money's better than new/And don't let this happen to you." Ferry is a born performer, soulful, warm, funny and whips up everyone in his path. Manzanera and MacKay are still amazing especially on solos. What a rush! Why doesn't this documentary talk about Roxy as a live act? How did Ferry develop all those amazing hand gestures?
In the end, this disc is only for Roxy Addicts like myself. If you want to introduce someone to Roxy Music or show Roxy haters the errors of their ways, DO NOT show them this documentary. It gives a false image of the band. Saying that Roxy influenced DuranDuran and others who cared more about looks than singing, playing, and songwriting is a lot like holding The Who responsible for "Godspell." If you want to introduce someone to Roxy, play the Music in any format you have and let them decide for themselves. Maybe, "Siren" or "Stranded" for starters and go from there. Either that or play the youtube videos of the original BBCTV performance of "Virginia Plain" or the 1976 Stockholm concert footage of "The Thrill of It All." Such performances and others can be found on "The Thrill Of It All" DVD, which I recommend over this disc any day.

More good stuff about Roxy Music
This comprehensive documentary features interviews with all the ex-Roxy personnel along with clips of live performance from the various line-up periods of their career.
Also included are interesting insight into the original line-up, including interviews with Brian Eno and the reasons for his departure. His replacement, Eddie Jobson, is also interviewed, along with a description and technical insight into his "see-through" violin.
As a bonus there are three performances from a 2006 live concert.
Much fun for the dedicated and curious Roxy fan!