Review of Pretenders, The: The Isle Of View

Introduction

This DVD features a 67 minute acoustic performance by The Pretenders. It features some of the best known songs including: `Back on the Chain Gang`, `Brass in Pocket`, `Kid` and `2000 Miles`. Need I go on? There are 16 tracks in total. These are listed on the inside of the cover. Notable by its absence is `Stop Your Sobbing`.

It would be fair to say that the Pretenders now and then is/ are Chrissie Hind. A chequered past and loss of band members to drugs indicate problems with the lifestyle being led in the 1980`s.

This concert was recorded in 1995 at the Jacob Street Studios in London The line-up at the time was Chrissie Hind on vocals and guitar; Adam Seymour on guitar vocals and harmonium; Andy Hobson on bass guitar; Martin Chambers on drums and vocals and Mark Smith on percussion.

The concert also features a guest appearance by Damon Albarn of Blur playing piano on `I Go to Sleep`.

Video

Filmed in the club setting this mainly focuses on the band and we are spared the shots of the audience. There is nothing innovative about the camera work just a fairly workmanlike recording of the concert.

Audio

A superior selection of songs from this talented band. Sound reproduction is good quality and the addition of string backing enhances the original music. This is only produced in Dolby so don`t expect too much. It is probably possible to buy an enhanced CD which you may prefer.

Features

Song selection is available with an overlaid musical track.
No other extras on this disc.

Conclusion

I Love You -Isle of View. No I`ve no idea what that play on words means. However who cares- listening to such a perfect voice puts to shame any other `pretenders`. This is simply a relaxed and laid back concert with many much-loved and durable tracks. Chrissie Hind`s flawlessly expresses her own lyrics. Not much else to say other than if you are not interested in the visuals and there really is not much to see you might prefer to buy the CD.