Search - Prince's Trust Rock Gala 1987 on DVD

I Have The Prince's Trust

Gregor von Kallahann | 10/23/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"There was a flurry of excitement about the two or three Prince's Trust concerts in the mid-80s. I think there were probably only two or three of them (or if there were more, people pretty much lost interest in them by the turn of the decade). As revue concerts go, the 1987 concert, featuring Clapton (throughout, Elton John and two, count 'em TWO ex-Beatles (George and Ringo) is of some historcal interest and is not half-bad musically. Looks like everybody was having a good time. Features a number of faces that American audiences might have a hard time placing. I knew who Midge Ure was, but I'm not sure everybody would. And Go West? And if Alison Moyet really is on this, she must only be singing back up. But I only have seen the VHS version (apprarently out of print). Maybe the DVD is more comprehensive.

Of the less well known (in this country anyway) artists, Ure and Dave Edmunds (doing "The Wanderer") are probably the most impressive. Canadian Bryan Adams, well enough known but always destined to be something of a journeyman rock star, seems happy to be there and his raspy voice is distinctive even when his songs aren't. Ben E. King is the sole American on board and he'd gotten a little raspy too by this point. But he is still quite effective on "Stand By Me."

Paul Young and Phil Collings do a Motown medley. Paul is a bit hoarse, but OK. Phil is effervescent. And he pretty much buoys Paul up throughout their duet. Elton John is equally exuberant on "Saturday Night" and somewhat more restrained on "Your Song." I had always thought "Your Song" was one of his earlier gay-coded numbers ("Don't have much money, but BOY if I did, I'd buy us a house where we both could live") but here John throws in a "girl" or two to keep you guessing. He's also wearing a wedding ring, so this could have been around the time that he was married (to a woman). Well, ambiguity is the spice of life, of course, and it must be noted that he is relatively subdued here, sartorially speaking.

George Harrison is featured on two songs and his voice was not yet showing the strain that was apparent in the 90s (shortly before his throat cancer was diagnosed). "Guitar Gently Weeps" is particularly touching. Ringo closes with "With A Little Help From My Friends," and everybody (all his friends, I guess) gets to join in. It's a bit of a goof, but it closes the night on a fun enough note.

The camera flashes on the Prince and Princess of Wales from time to time. Rock fan Diana retains her regal coolness throughout however. Her presence as well as George Harrison's serve as reminders that all things must pass."