Come Together (John Lennon Tribute/Eagle DVD)

 

Picture: C+     Sound: B     Extras: D     Concert: B-

 

 

There are many tribute concerts, sometimes seeming as if there are too many, but some have more success than others.  Come Together was taped in New York on October 2, 2001 just weeks after the terrorist attacks on the great city.  It was a fundraiser to help New York and happened long before anyone would see how badly The Bush Administration would exploit it to the point of no return we have nearly reached since.

 

With the participation of Yoko Ono Lennon and Sean Lennon, Kevin Spacey hosts the performances, which are more hit than miss, but in total can be uneven.  They include:

 

1)     Imagine – Yolonda Adams & Billy Preston

2)     In My Life – Dave Matthews

3)     Revolution – Stone Temple Pilots

4)     Dear Prudence – Alanis Morisette

5)     Across The Universe – Moby, Sean Lennon & Rufus Wainwright

6)     Strawberry Fields Forever – Cyndi Lauper

7)     Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds – Marc Anthony

8)     Mother – Shelby Lynne

9)     Instant Karma – Nelly Furtado & Dave Stewart

10)  Jealous Guy – Lou Reed

11)  Nowhere Man – Natalie Merchant

12)  Mind Games – Kevin Spacey

13)  Come Together – Craig David

14)  This Boy - Sean Lennon & Rufus Wainwright

15)  Julia - Sean Lennon

16)  Give Peace A Chance/Power To The People – ensemble

 

 

The good will displayed here reminds us that 2001 – 2008 did not have to be the nightmare it turned out to be and that makes it more relevant than anyone that night could have ever imagined.  Maybe it is time for another concert.

 

The anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image is softer than I expected it to be for a recent taping, but it is for whatever reason.  The stage set-up is not bad, though.  The DTS 5.1 mix is much better than the Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo sound and is the preferred soundtrack in its clarity, soundstage and articulation.  There are no extras.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo