Search - Remember Shakti: The Way of Beauty on DVD

A great Shakti Sampler

Henry S. Brent | Marietta, GA USA | 12/11/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Clocking in at 3 hours, this dvd is packed with performance footage and interviews. It features a 60-minute documentary "Timeless" on the band, starting from the early 70's. John and Zakir speak about their beginnings, their era with L.Shankar and T.H. Vinayakram. Then you get 45 minutes of sound check footage with Remember Shakti from Paris 2004, as well as 55 minutes of the concert from Mumbai 2000. Also includes 2 Live Concerts--the original band from 1976 (Montreux Jazz Festival) as well as Montreux Jazz 2004. Plus, a huge bonus: clips from the Mahavishnu Orchestra at my alma mater -- just four years before I got there, bummer-- Syracuse University, NY, 1972 outside gig at Skytop (Very rare but you can find the entire 45 min. performance-- with Ravi Shankar warming up the MO-- on YouTube now). Highly recommended for all McLaughlin and MO fans.
"

The name says it all.

B. Vercher | Baton Rouge, LA | 06/28/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'll keep this review brief; there is simply not alot for me to say, as music like this speaks for itself. You will be hard-pressed to find another group of musicians who both look and sound so joyous in performance. Everyone in this group is as much a music-lover as they are a music-player. Smiles and laughs abound amongst the bandmates, and at times their improvisations sound more mirthful and giddy than the musicians themselves, and that's saying alot! If this performance doesn't bring a smile to your face, I fear you're beyond hope.
Add to this a wonderful feature-length interview with Messrs. McLaughlin & Hussain, documenting the history of this groundbreaking band, as well as classic clips of performances by the original Shakti (and even one of the 1st Mahavishnu Orchestra!) and you have a DVD package that's worth twice it's price. 5 stars +++"

For a shakti fan

Anand K. Sankaran | Fremont, Ca United States | 04/30/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As an ardent fan of Shakti, I have to give 5 stars to this DVD, just for the following reasons.

a) I finally know why L Shankar did not make it to the re-union tour. The interviews in the DVD are priceless. You get to know why and how Shakti was formed and how it was formed again.

b) The 1976 footage of Shakti playing at Montreux is priceless. It is fun watching a shirtless Vikku wearing only his 'veshti' and going bonkers whereas L Shankar appears to be 'cool' with this sun glasses and all. BTW, who are those two pretty girls in the troupe playing the 'sruthi' box? :)

c) I have seen Shakti live, but not this close. The DVD rules when you finally see the eye contact between John, Zakir and Selvaganesh. They communicate totally through facial expressions and eye gestures. The synchronization of music is classic, particularly when their mode of communication is through eye gestures :). Priceless. You finally get to see how they really enjoy playing with each other.

d) The 1 hour Bombay concert is also the strength and weakness of this DVD. Strength since I can finally tell apart the music from the instruments.

I can finally figure out that the string instrument in Bell'Alla is Debashish Battacharya's slide guitar and NOT John's electric guitar, which I never knew.

I can finally figure out that it was Shiv Kumar Sharma's Santur in Shringar.

It is also the weakest part of the DVD because of the way the show was produced in Shanmugananda Hall. I mean, who are all those random people who keep showing up in the background? And what is with all the cables?

As a photographer, it is a nightmare since only the head on shots work and you can't for instance just focus on Sivamani, since you see a zillion people in the frame if you do that.

As a result, we don't get to see as much of Sivamani and Selvaganesh play, which is a pity.

Having said that, after a while I realize that it was Vikku Vinayakram in the background going bonkers when the music was playing, sitting in the sidelines. Next time, I do hope that they give Vikku a premium seat and make him sit in the first row or something :).

e) The 2004 Montreux concert was beautifully staged and performed, but they limited to just one song, Sakhi, which was barely ok.

All said and done, this is a priceless DVD, if you are a Shakti fan. If you are not, buy the CDs first :)."