"Duran Duran-Live From London is the first official Duran Duran concert DVD released following the reuniting of the original line-up of Simon LeBon, Nick Rhodes, John, Andy and Roger Taylor. Coming Home Studios has released this set in a deluxe and standard edition. Both sets include a 20 set concert taped in 2004 during the groups sold out tour. Like all Duran Duran releases, this set has a ton of great bonus material and is very unique. You are buying much more than just a concert DVD.
The concert itself opens with the first single from the reunited Duran's album Astronaut. The crowd goes wild upon hearing Simon Le Bon sing, "The music between us." Following the new song Simon launches into a string of classics, "Hungry Like The Wolf," "Is There Something I Should Know," and "Union of the Snake." The set list itself is heavy with the most well known Duran Duran songs but die hard Duranie's will be pleased that fan favorites such as "Night Boat," and "New Religion" made the set list. The group look and sound great. Like all great Duran Duran shows the set design is awesome, the screen behind the group emits colors and abstract images and the home audience is able to relive the Duran Duran concert experience. Duran Duran share the screen with their anime counterparts during the performance for "Careless Memories." It's always bittersweet when the group performs this song because more often than not it appears closer to the end of the set list so you can prepare for your Duran Duran concert experience to come to a close soon. The band introductions are a highlight of the Duran Duran show and yes they are included--complete with the "Play the fu**ing bass John." During the "Astronaut" tour Simon was introduced by a random girl from the audience, for this show he was introduced by keyboard player Nick Rhodes. The group closes out the show with "Girls on Film" and "Rio."
On to the bonus features. The DVD includes a really great documentary that is presented with scenes in color and black and white. The group members appear on the DVD in their order of joining the band. So first you see Nick and John followed by Roger, Andy and last but definitely not least Simon LeBon. Each member and other members discuss how that particular person came to be a member of Duran Duran. Once the group gets past how they came to be they discuss their musical influences and their rise to the top of the pop music industry in the early 80's. This documentary is especially interesting because it's probably the first time many fans will see all five members discuss the break up and how they were feeling around 1985. Simon compares the feeling to water draining out of a tub. John describes just barely being able to hold on due to the pressures of the fame. Roger laments that he feels that everybody was probably just at a different place. There is no real discussion of Duran Duran 1986-2000. Fast forward to what one can assume is sometime around late 99 or during 2000. Simon details that he called John on the phone for a talk. Several phone calls later Duran Duran--the original five were together again. The documentary also shines the spotlight on long time sax player Andy Hamilton who has been with the group for 23 years. There is a lot of really great info in this documentary and fans should be pleased.
In addition to the documentary both the standard and deluxe edition include song commentaries, and an image gallery. The deluxe edition includes the song "I Don't Want Your Love" in 3D. This is a great idea as Duran Duran is always on the cutting edge of trying new things. It might have been better with a more high energy song like "Rio." Whereas the original version of "I Don't Want Your Love," is almost techno, the version performed is a more slowed down rock version. Late in the song Simon is joined on stage by background singer Sara Brown. The concert DVD let's users choose between 5.1 SRS, 5.1 Multi and 5.1 DTS sound. The booklet includes pictures from the show, the track list for the DVD (CD and 3D glasses in the deluxe edition) and DVD credits.
The deluxe edition includes a 10 song CD with live songs from the show. The songs included on the CD are the biggest hits and one song from the groups 2004 CD "Astronaut."
Dorrie from imissthe80s"
DVD info
C. Feager | St. Louis, MO | 09/26/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"From Duran Duran web site:
First live concert DVD to be released with the five
original re-united band members Taylor, Taylor, Taylor, Rhodes, LeBon Simultaneous Fall/Autumn release now set by Coming Home Studios for both a special deluxe 2-Disc package and a spectacular single DVD disc.
UK Release Date: November 7, 2005
European/Australian Release Date (excluding UK): October 31, 2005
North American Release Date: October 25, 2005
Coming Home Studios and SRS Labs will release the long-awaited live DVD from premiere rock group, Duran Duran, capturing the last two shows from the band's record-breaking 2004 run of sold-out concerts at London's Wembley Arena.
Set for simultaneous release in both single and double-disc editions, 'Duran Duran: Live From London', captures the original 'Fab Five': Simon LeBon (vocals), Andy Taylor (guitars), John Taylor (bass), Roger Taylor (drums) and Nick Rhodes (keyboards), during their spectacular seventeen-date, 2004 UK arena tour. Marking the first shows to be recorded since the original line-up of Duran Duran got back together in 2001, this upcoming release will feature all of the hits from their twenty five year catalogue, together with live versions of some of the chart-topping singles from their most recent (2004) Epic Records' studio album, 'Astronaut'.
Directed by award-winning film-maker, Lawrence Jordan, for Coming Home Studios, in conjunction with Done & Dusted UK, and shot with fourteen state-of-the-art, 1080 24p high-definition cameras, this unique concert DVD, with its film-like visuals, captures the magic, excitement, and pure adrenaline of the band's final two Wembley concerts on April 30 and May 1, 2004. Playing like they never have before, in a blistering two hour set, the DVD shows the band at their very best, performing their biggest hits including: Girls On Film, Planet Earth, Hungry Like The Wolf, Save A Prayer, A View To A Kill, Wild Boys, Ordinary World, The Reflex, Union of the Snake and Rio. The deluxe two-disc set will also include a 10-track live bonus CD.
With audio mixed by Jeremy Wheatley and presented in SRS Labs Circle Surround®, 5.1 dts, 5.1 Multichannel, and stereo, the sound quality of this upcoming DVD will recreate the true concert experience from those two magical nights in London, giving fans the feeling that they are at the show - from the comfort of their own homes.
Both packages also include a highly entertaining, behind-the-scenes documentary, directed by Gavin Elder, rare and candid interview footage, a photo gallery, and a unique audio-track voice-over by all five of the band members - talking about the songs and the show.
In addition, the special, deluxe two-disc set includes one song that can be watched in 3D (3D glasses included), together with a 12 page booklet, unique packaging and the live album.
SINGLE DISC DVD PACKAGE
1 DVD Disc
Bonus features will include:
Documentary
Photo Gallery
4 page booklet
Audio-track voice-over on ten of the songs (two by each member of the band)
Catalogue Number: CHS10031
Suggested Retail Price: £14.99
DOUBLE DISC BOX SET
1 DVD Disc
Bonus Features will include:
10 song live CD (featuring the hits)
3D song with 3D glasses
Documentary
Photo Gallery
12 page booklet
Audio-track voice-over on ten of the songs (two by each member of the band)
Deluxe packaging
Catalogue Number: CHS10032
Suggested Retail Price: £19.99
DVD Song List
(Reach Up For The) Sunrise
Hungry Like the Wolf
Is There Something I Should Know
Union Of The Snake
Come Undone
A View to a Kill
What Happens Tomorrow
The Chauffeur
Planet Earth
I Don't Want Your Love
New Religion
Ordinary World
Waiting For The Night Boat
Save a Prayer
Notorious
The Reflex
Careless Memories
Wild Boys
Girls On Film
Rio
CD Song List for Live CD
(Reach Up For The) Sunrise
Hungry Like The Wolf
Planet Earth
Ordinary World
Save A Prayer
Notorious
Careless Memories
Wild Boys
Girls On Film
Rio."
"Arena II"? Think Again.
The Groove | Boston, MA | 11/14/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
""Live in London" is a winning DVD featuring the reunited Duran Duran (Simon LeBon, Nick Rhodes, Andy Taylor, John Taylor, and Roger Taylor) in concert during their 2004 world tour in Wembley Arena. England's Fab Five ruled the 1980s with a string of pop hits and flashy videos, but this sold-out performance shows that these fortysomethings are as lively and energetic as they were in their multiplatinum heyday. They deliver solid performances of many of their hits ("Hungry Like the Wolf," "The Reflex," "Girls on Film") as well as the singles "(Reach Up For the) Sunrise" and "What Happens Tomorrow" from their 2004 "Astronaut" LP. They even dig deep into their catalogue and unearth an obscure album cut, 1981's "Waiting for the Night Boat." And they also give impressive renditions of later hits "Notorious" and "Ordinary World." But the real treat is "Careless Memories," which incorporates Japanese animation into the live performance. This DVD also features audio commentary: each member gives their $.02 on two songs. In addition, we also get a half hour documentary featuring interviews with the band. For diehard fans, these interviews don't reveal anything new, but it's a nice piece that gives a history on Duran Duran. If you buy this, the deluxe edition, you also get a bonus audio disc that contains 10 songs from the DVD. If you're thinking this is merely a sequel to "Arena," you'd be very wrong. Unlike that 1984 concert album, the performances here sound exactly what a live record should be, and you can definitely feel a strong connection between the audience and the band. If you're a casual listener, then you can get either the standard or deluxe edition of this DVD. But I can't understand why any true Durannie would want to skip the deluxe edition. In addition to the cool packaging (with 3-D glasses!), the deluxe edition also has a solid audio disc as a bonus. Diehard fans would be foolish to miss it."
The Ultimate Pop Icon group of the 80's
Jason Eric Hunsucker | Atlanta GA | 10/25/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"All I can say is what an amazing ride this band has had for the last 25 years. I don't think since ABBA has a band influenced and set the standard for pop music across the globe like Duran Duran. It is amazing to me that a MTV generated pop band is still making great tunes after all these years. I watched this concert on cable and I was completly shocked by the energy and power that came from this band. The feeling that one will feel while watching Simon and his bandmates belt out all those classic hits like Planet Earth, Careless Memories, Girls on Film and Wild Boys will make the hair on your back stand up. Then the seductive emotional ballads like Come Undone, Save A Prayer and Ordinary World will leave you thinking about yourself and your life. I would not call myself a fan of Duran Duran in the 80's. I was listening to so many other pop acts. Duran Duran should have a place in the rock-n-roll Hall Of Fame. They are without a doubt the GREATEST POP BAND OF ALL TIME. Buy this DVD and enjoy Duran music from the past and truly great songs from today."
Dancing On the Valentine (to fans)
Mark B. Marquis | Birmingham, AL | 11/03/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Duran Duran Live From London is just about as perfect a gift as any fan can ask for. After 15 years apart, the original members came back together to capture lightning in a bottle for the second time. This is not just a concert on DVD... this is a fan's dream come true. Concert + Live CD + Reunion Documentary + 3D Fun + Song Commentary by all 5 band members. Talk about value!
Before I launch into my lovefest for all things reunion, let me say that I consider Warren Cuccurullo (Duran's Post-Andy guitarist who was with them throughout the majority of the band's history) a bonafide member of Duran Duran. Warren was instrumental in creating some of the best Duran Duran music from 1988 through 2000. The only downside to the reunification of the original lineup is that Warren is not part of it.
Having said that, I was delighted to hear "Astronaut," an album that is both new and familiar. It's modern Duran Duran with a nod to the past. Brilliant. I wasn't able to catch the original lineup in concert (I saw them way back in 1995 for the first time live), and it is something I always regretted. For years, faithful fans had the 1985 Concert Film "Arena" as the pinnacle of Duran Duran's showmanship. Two decades later, "Live From London" is finally released on DVD and we get to see a band that is older, wiser, more artistically grounded and TRULY grateful to be able to reunite and make new music. Boy, does it show. There is so much positive energy flowing from this concert (and documentary). It is what "Arena" aspired to be, but got distracted by so much eye candy. This is what it felt like in 1985 when we didn't know any better. Now we know better and the guys have delivered a Valentine to fans that has aged so well, it's set a new pinnacle in Duran Duran's career. And who knows what will happen tomorrow?"