Search - Saxon: Rock Has Landed - It's Alive on DVD

Rock Has Landed ...Its F'n Alive !

Wht Rabbit | MIDWEST,USA | 01/04/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Too bad "Oliver/Dawson Saxon" are currently MIA (missing in action,on hiatus,broken up etc) -As far as im concerned "O/D Saxon" could flat out put the screws to the current Saxon' line-up.Call Steve and Graham disgruntled call em anything you want.This dvd straight up cranks.Full throttle versions of some of Saxon's best stuff.Wardi's voice gives the material some edge.The extended solo from Conway on "Devil Rides Out" is some very stellar playing.I love Biff and Saxon,but c'mon if you watch this dvd and your not a little impressed with these guys you don't like metal ."

Saxon - 'Rock Has Landed - It's Alive' (MVD) Running time: 6

Mike Reed | USA | 01/20/2007

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Nice try,guys!Main reason I'm giving this hour long DVD a two-star rating is the price.Obviously,this DVD title isn't moving.Wonder WHY?Could it BE that guitarist Graham Oliver and bassist Steve Dawson CHOSE to go under the Saxon monicker WITHOUT vocalist/frontman Biff Byford?Might possibly be.This DVD is quite a let down,I'm sorry to say.You need to look at the cover REAL good and notice that it reads 'Oliver/Dawson' above where it reads Saxon. Tunes played here live,such as "Eagle Has Landed", "Power And The Glory", "747" and "Devil Rides Out" are so-so, I guess. It's just simply not the same without Biff. An audio CD of this show would likely be easier to accept. For completists only, I'm afraid. Hope you get more from this DVD than I did."

Forget the back-stabbing

The Crusader | UK | 03/04/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Forget the back-stabbing and in-fighting, this DVD is well worth the money - admittedly, the production doesn't hold up against "The Saxon Chronicles", but it was obviously made on a budget, and it is apparent that the band are enjoying themselves.
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The legal situation regarding the use of the name Saxon is that Graham and Steve have the right to use the name provided it is prefixed with "Oliver Dawson".

With regard to the two "leaving" Saxon, the situation appears to be that Biff is very much in control of that band, and the other musicians are his employees, therefore he can hire and fire pretty much at will. I may be wrong, but from reading various interviews with Biff and other members of the band (not including Graham Oliver and Steve Dawson, admittedly) that seems to be the way it is.

Whatever the true situation with Saxon, it is fair to say that neither of the two (three if you count Nigel Durham) former members featured on this DVD chose to leave. As such, they should be entitled to use the music which they contributed to in a major way.

So, what's important is the music...and that is top notch. Graham and Steve played together for years in Saxon, and are on top form here - Nigel Durham was not in Saxon at the same time as Steve Dawson, but his drumming complements Steve's bass. John Ward is okay as a singer, not, perhaps, comparable with Biff at his best, but certainly able to match him now. Haydn Conway is a perfectly adequate player without attempting any intricate solos.

With regard to the previous reviewer's comments noting that the action on screen is out of sync with the music, this is due to close ups of previous segments of the video, and is not meant to be in sync. This technique has been used in many live videos including a previous Saxon one, and by The Scorpions.

Finally, any true Saxon fans (and I count myself amongst them - I have everything they've released on just about every format except cassette!) really should give Graham and Steve a chance - they were a major part of the band when they were at their best, and deserve your continuing support. Liking Oliver-Dawson Saxon does not preclude you from enjoying Saxon too!"