Review of Latin Quarter: Live At Full House Rock Show

Introduction

Full House was a music programme on the German NDR TV channel from 1986-1989, presenting both German and International bands in concert in music clubs in Hamburg and Hanover. Presented by Rockpalast host Alan Bangs, Full House ran for 30 shows in 45 minute segments and although not all these shows survive, some of the original tapes have been rescued and transferred to DVD. Some of these shows can only be seen in their original TV broadcast length, while some can be seen at their original length.

Latin Quarter`s set is one of the latter, running at around two hours. Latin Quarter were a London-based band that wrote music for lyrics written by Liverpool-based lyricist Mick Jones. The group comprises of Steve Skaith (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Carol Douet (vocals, percussion), Yona Dunsford (vocals, keyboards), Greg Harewood (bass), Steve Jeffries (keyboards), Richard Stevens (drums) and Richard Wright (guitar).

Latin Quarter`s claim to fame is the one hit in 1986 called Radio Africa, which peaked at number 19 in January of that year. This concert is filmed just after that period, the group play in the `Bel-Air` club, Hanover on 5th March 1986.

Video

Nice no-frills visuals for this made-for-TV concert, and it`s well edited as well. The Full House programme used it`s own lighting system with 5 cameras and a camera crane.

Audio

Choice between Dolby Stereo 2.0 or 5.1. The 5.1 is a nice warm soundtrack that really sets the ambience well for the style of music played by this group. The Stereo mix therefore feels a little flat in comparison.

Features

Only real extra is a short interview with four members of the band with host Alan Bangs. The interview is conducted in English but overdubbed in German for the original target audience. Luckily it`s subtitled, although not fully if you have a sharp ear and can cut beneath the German to catch some of the English dialogue.

Conclusion

I`m hearing only sad news, from…

Radio Africa. The only thing I`ve heard by this group, a one hit wonder in terms of singles, but surprisingly a group that have released around six albums between 1986 and 1997 which suggests a bit of longevity. The Latin Quarter music mix is a touch of rock with tinges of reggae and other influences, a style that is moody and atmospheric. The songs themselves are either mostly political or cutting on modern life, so we have lyrical comments on the Miners Strike, Nicaragua, the Falklands War, racism and Apartheid. One of the tracks (Truth about John) also deals with the post-death treatment of John Lennon by `friends` who sold their stories to the papers. Not your typical chart fodder then…

Despite my knowledge being of only one song, I really enjoyed this concert by Latin Quarter. It sounds good and they really can play live. Steve Skaith shares the vocals with the two females in the band, but it`s clear he`s the band leader. As well as the lions share of vocal duties, he`s the one who talks to the audience, explaining the significance of the songs.

I`ve always held Latin Quarter in the same regard as Furniture who had their sole hit with Brilliant Mind in the same year. At least I`ve now been able to see this group at their best, on the live stage, albeit twenty years later.

Nicely produced and makes me wonder why British TV never had a true equivalent to this format.