Search - Cactus: Live on DVD

Great DVD!

Dale | Hillsborough,N.J. USA | 11/07/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was at this Concert at BB Kings. I think this DVD was well shot, and everyone played great. I've seen Carmine and Tim with Vanilla Fudge the past few years, but I completely forgot how good Jim McCarty actually is. Too bad Rusty Day didn't live long enough to play with these guys. I thought the singer nailed down Rusty's parts pretty well though. The guy who plays Harp did a good job too. Anyone who loved Cactus will be more than satisfied with this DVD."

Pleasant viewing - limited extras - of course no Rusty

Mark A. Cartier | Portland, Or. USA | 12/14/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This was a nice DVD to watch, not great, but good. I agree some in the band could have used more rehearsing time - but all in all was interesting to view. My DVD also had the editing and sound issues. Not much in the way of extras.

Cactus to me has always been about the guitar playing of Jim McCarty and he doesn't disappoint here. Carmine and Tim's reputation is well known (some good, some not so good) - but I was surprised at how much I missed the singing of Rusty Day. Jimmy tries hard - but I missed Rusty and it isn't quite the same without him.

If you are into the nostalgia trip (and that's not terrible), this is a DVD to watch if you are a very big Cactus fan. Worth the price (to me) just to watch McCarty. If you are questioning where to spend your dollars on this band - get the first or second CD. Both are excellent (and the third isn't bad either)."

Boogie till you Puke

Douglas N. Mitchell | Columbus, Ohio area | 02/05/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"What can you say about the one of the best rhythm sections ever to play rock and roll. KILLER. I thought the singer and harp player did a great job as well. When the song Oleo transitions from the intro to the main groove anybody who ever listened to Cactus will be in Cactus heaven. Talking about a shuffle. My granddaddy had mules that couldn't plow that deep! Jim McCarty is OUTSTANDING! I'm not gonna' knock 'em for more not putting in more rehearsal time or any of the other stuff being said. I'm not even gonna' say that I was disappointed that Tim Bogert's bass solo was way different than the original version of Oleo, but I will tell you this; "if you like Cactus, you better get the DVD and see this legendary band." Doug Mitchell 41 years electric bass."

Great Band, Fun Show

J. Hall | Iowa | 05/20/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This video is definitely a low-budget production, but it hardly matters since there is real magic in seeing McCarty, Bogert and Appice playing together again. The first time I saw Cactus play they nearly upstaged none other than Jimi Hendrix, I kid you not. They were truly on fire. They could decimate bands like Ten Years after and Deep Purple with their intense energy and virtuoso chops. Bogert and Appice were the best rhythm section in rock at the time, which is why Jeff Beck wanted them. McCarty was a fiery player with brash riffs, blazing solos and a unique sound using his scrambler pedal. "Tough act to follow" was their reputation.

This reunion DVD is a great companion to the recently released reunion CD, "Cactus V." Jimmy Kunes does a fine job, has a great voice but is not Rusty Day- he's arguably a better singer but not really the frontman Rusty was, which is why some hardcore fans want to complain. But the guy clearly wails and works his tail off in this show, and you can see from the looks of the other guys in the band they really like playing with him him so in my book he's a good fit.

A high point of the video is Jim McCarty's guitar work. He always could burn on a great riff, but you can tell his blues playing has evolved greatly since the old days. The guitar solo on Oleo is worth the price of this DVD by itself. Another high point is McCarty's interplay with Bogert and Appice on One Way or Another, a great song that manages to blend rock,blues,proto-metal and prog elements together into an ultimately satisfying result. Bogert and Appice are virtuoso players who can play cirlces around most drummers and bassists half their age, and their solos on this DVD show they still have the chops to do it.

There are some clams in the show, left them in there warts and all so you really get the feel of being at a live show, no pre-recorded tracks or fancy fixes re-done in the studio. I would say in my opinion they were tighter than the Cream reunion I saw at MSG a couple of years ago and a darn sight more sincere (though that was also a great show.) The chemistry is still there with these guys, and if you loved the band in the 70's you will definitely enjoy this DVD. One of the great things about this video is the band looks like they are really having fun together. One can only hope they will give us another reunion album and show at some later point down the road.
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