Search - Eels with Strings - Live at Town Hall on DVD

Amazing

J. Alden Kirkman | Hollywood, CA | 02/16/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had the fortune of attending a special screening for this DVD in Hollywood. I arrived not that familiar with the Eels, but left a huge fan of them. This is beautifully shot, the Director did an amazing job highlighting just how spectacular of a performance this was. I immediately came home and placed an order for it and several of the Eels albums."

Loved the show, what about a DVD from a Tour of Duty concert

Christopher Marcus | South of the Equator | 01/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having had the fantastic oppurtunity of seeing Eels on their last two tours of Australia, I really am looking forward to a visual reminder of this experience.
The Eels with strings concert I saw in Sydney was an absolute pleasure. Intimate and Personal, E was at his brilliant best. Chet and Big Al played more different instruments than I thought was humanly possible. The string quartet were just superb, look out for that special moment of vibration.
Anyone who had the pleasure of witnessing the Eels with strings tour will know this is not a rock show, and the songs come accross incredibly.
Eels are progressive, and E of course is the centre of which their universe revolves. However, the only similarility between the latest Eels with strings show, and the Tour of Duty shows, is E himself. E is Eels no doubt, and he picks the musicians to make the mood and the moment. Being able however, to relive the Eels of a couple of years ago, Butch and the rest, would be a chance to really appreciate the talent of Mark Oliver Everett."

Woot!

Justin K. Moomjian | 03/01/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have not had a chance to check out the DVD yet (although I have the CD and it is spectacular).

I also had the privelage of attending this show. While much of it (particularly the songs off of the new album, Blinking Lights) is not the same as we are used to hearing the Eels play, I feel it is a necessary change for the already-diverse Eels repertoire.

This was not your average Eels concert. It was definatly more of an intimate experience. There was no standing and it was not the kind of theater youd expect to see the Eels in, but the experience was undescribable. Completely not what I expected.

And leave it up to Mr. E to make you leave with a smile (as depressing as alot of his music is). I remember for the second encore, they waited till the house lights came back on and most of the crowd had left, then came out in their pajamas. Good ole' E.

While it took me a while to get used to the new music (as it did with other albums, such as Souljacker), it really grew on me. Listening to the lyrics gave me a whole new appreciation of E.

The band that performs with E is also nothing short of amazing. The string section sounded beautiful and the other two members of the band played more instruments then I could possibly remember.

E was completely on point that night too.

Overall, I think they picked a great show to release on DVD and hope they release more DVDs in the future."

No Strings Attached!

Kort Kramer | South Florida, USA | 01/29/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"An excellent performance that exemplify why we love the Man called E (Mark Oliver Everett)!

The 2006 Eels with Strings - Live at Town Hall DVD offers glimpses into the musical genius that is E. His stage presence and sardonic delivery only enhanced the dark whimsy of many of his pensive compositions. If you love Eels, you will love this DVD. The production and sound quality is excellent, you feel like you are right there on stage with the musicians.

The music is not studio polished--but perhaps better, if not just as good. It is taken mostly from the Blinking Lights and Other Revelations double album, and it sounds even better live. While the man called E smokes smoothly on his omnipresent cigar, sipping from a glass of brown whisky-like liquid, he delivers his impeccable best. This is a man who sings for the underdog, the misunderstood, the disenfranchised and even if you aren't any of those things, you still feel a pull towards his lyrics and a deep empathy for the "bus stop boxer" and "dog-faced boy."

Eels unique keyboard style and guitar strums are accompanied by a backdrop of excellent musicians. Chet's musicianship is nothing short of amazing, big Al's bass can't be beat. The four ladies will wow you with their skills on the violins and cello. All of the instruments synch up and commingle in a way that keeps things sounding spontaneous and fresh. The familiarity of the songs are sprinkled with diversion, keeping the DVD dynamic and endlessly intriguing. In

In between live performances, we're treated to behind the scene moments with E--in all of his cynical glory. We want to love this man, sit down with him and hear all about his idiosyncrasies. The only disappointment is that it seemed too short, but that could be because the entire series of performances was nothing short of astounding. It defies time, bringing the listener into the realm of pure musical nirvana. The concert outro's with the pajama wearing band on stage playing an abbreviated version of Mr. E's Beautiful Blues from the Daisies of the Galaxy album (my all-time fave). I could not think of a better way to end the concert.

I would have like to hear a few more songs from other albums, but that is a minor quibble. This is a concert experience not to be missed. And thanks to this DVD, you won't."