Long John Baldry – It Ain’t Easy Live (1987/MVD DVD)

 

Picture: C     Sound: C     Extras: C     Concert: C+

 

 

An influence on many musicians like Elton John, Long John Baldry (1941 – 2005) first surfaced as part of the band Blues Incorporated in 1962, but was a solo artist by 1967 and remained that way to the end.  Long John Baldry – It Ain’t Easy Live (1987) has a title intended to recall his famous 1971 album, now on DVD from Music Video Distributors.

 

Songs include:

 

1)     Going Down Slow

2)     Everyday I Have The Blues

3)     It Ain’t Easy

4)     Respect

5)     You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman

6)     Talking To My Baby

7)     Iko Iko

8)     Don’t Try To Lay No Boogie Woogie On the King Of Rock ‘N Roll

 

 

Tracks four through seven have the openly gay Baldry joined by Kathi McDonald, who is a decent complement to his music style, but the best thing the short show does is show a key artist from his time who influenced more than a few of the most successful artists of all time and that is wroth a look.

 

The 1.33 X 1 image is weak and pale, was shot on analog NTSC video of some kind and can be soft to a point of distraction, while the location sound in Dolby Digital 2.0 is as weak sonically and barely stereo if that.  Extras include trailers for a bunch of other Quantum Leap DVDs, backstage interviews and band text bio/discographies.

 

For more of Baldry and McDonald, try this link:

 

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/1494/Long+John+Baldry+(Ohne+Filter)

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo