Title: Jack Bruce and Friends (1980/2002)

Format: DVD

Genre: Rock/ Album Rock, British Blues, Prog-Rock/Art Rock

Label: Classic Pictures-www.classicpictures.com

It does not seem that 1980 was that long ago, when in fact it was 23 years ago when Jack Bruce and Friends had a performance filmed at the Rockplast in Essen, Germany in 1980. This DVD was released through Classic Pictures in 2002.

Bruce sure knew how to pick his friends. Drummer extraordinaire Billy Cobham, multi-talented David Sancious (keyboards/guitar) and venerated guitarist Clem Clemson, join him onstage. They take you through some of Bruce’s solo work, most notably "X Marks the Spot" and favorite Cream selections such as "White Room," which starts the set, "Sunshine of Your Love," "NSU" and "Politician."

Bruce is in good voice and his bass playing is snappy and sharp. The rest of the band follows him brilliantly taking the audience (and you) through each song with lots of energy and some improvisation, although nothing beyond the norm that you would see at any live performance.

The film is good quality, adding nothing spectacular in reference to technological breakthroughs that have developed over the last few years, this is very basic concert footage and there are no bonus tracks or interviews, which I found disappointing. The biography could have been much better than 10 pages of written words to scroll through. If the biography were actual interviews and films of Bruce’s career, it would have been excellent. Nevertheless, the presentation here is more than adequate capturing Bruce and friends in an above average performance at a well-known venue in Europe with an appreciative audience.

All the factors are here for a DVD that rock and blues fans will most certainly treasure. If you are a tech freak that goes to extremes for sound and vision, you may be disappointed in this; then again, if you just like good music from a concert with no frills you will love this. Even without all the extras that music fans have come to expect, this one is a real keeper. This is no-fly-by-night rock star, this is Jack Bruce, one of the greatest bass players music has ever known. As they say…the proof is in the pudding.

©"Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck

May 18, 2003

Jack Bruce-Bass/Vocals

Billy Cobham-Drums

Clem Clemson-Guitar

David Sancious-Keyboards/Guitar

GO BACK

RETURN TO: