British Rock Symphony [DVD5] (2000)

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British Rock Symphony [DVD5] (2000)

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Be honest now: what rock fan hasn't fantasized about one day seeing Alice Cooper and the Who's Roger Daltrey on stage together, belting out the Rolling Stones' "Start Me Up" with backing by Pete Townshend's brother, Ringo Starr's son, and the bombast of a full symphony orchestra? Well, OK, so maybe that peculiar pairing is no one's idea of rock & roll heaven. But that didn't stop the producers of this 90-minute outdoor concert from assembling a wildly disparate cast, ranging from Daltrey, Cooper, and Procol Harum's Gary Brooker to Darlene Love (best known as the voice of the Crystals' classic "He's a Rebel") and lesser lights like singers Alvin Fields and Nikki Lamborn, to raise money for the Let Music Live charity and to celebrate the music of the Beatles, the Stones, the Who, Led Zeppelin, and others. Some of it is pretty predictable (there's a feeling of inevitability to "Stairway to Heaven," "With a Little Help from My Friends," "Pinball Wizard," and others), but there are also moments of genuine inspiration. Daltrey, who never seems to tire of those Pete Townshend songs, sounds great on "You Better You Bet" and "Who Are You," as well as outside fare like the Stones' "Street Fighting Man"; and Love, despite an occasional tendency to oversing, brings soulful fervor and conviction to the likes of "Ruby Tuesday." The DVD sound is superb, the visuals are good, and performers and audience alike seem to be having a good time. Still, aside from the curiosity (or novelty) factor, one has to wonder why anyone would prefer these versions to the originals.

–Sam Graham

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British Rock Symphony [DVD5] (2000)

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