Search - Split Enz on DVD

Split Enz! Live!

D. W. Ewing | Seattle | 06/02/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was hesitant to buy this, considering the lack of any reviews, and virtually no information about the content. But it's real, and it contains a documentary of the band from it's beginning to end, plus videos of many of their singles. What is lacking, and what I truly hoped to see, was a complete concert performance. Instead there are a handful of songs filmed at different concerts, and one suspects they didn't turn on the cameras for one song, so where is the footage of an entire concert? Hmm - maybe another DVD on the horizon? Audio throughout is good, though presented only in 2 track Dolby stereo. Visually, the footage used varies from excellent to "archival" - a little scratched and faded, but definitely presentable.

Videos included: Sweet Dreams, Lovey Dovey, Late Last Night, Bold as Brass, My Mistake, Jamboree, Hermit McDermitt, Give it a Whirl, I See Red, I Got You, I Hope I Never, One Step Ahead, History Never Repeats, Dirty Creature, Pioneer/Six Months in a Leaky Boat, Strait Old Line, Message to my Girl, I Walk Away, and Things (hidden, an Easter egg).

Live songs included from various concerts: True Colours (?), The Woman who Loves You, Charlie, Ghost Girl, Six Months in a Leaky Boat, I See Red, Strait Old Line, Shark Attack, She Got Body She Got Soul (lip synced).

If you know nada about the band, it started in the mid-70's as a somewhat oddly costumed zany bunch with equally peculiar songs - witty and musically competent, but not very commercial even in their native New Zealand. After several albums and personnel changes, a young Neil Finn came on board to sing, and soon write songs beside his older brother Tim. With a new drummer Malcolm Green as well, the band took off and found it's way through several pop-rock/new wave albums successful around the world. After the 12 year run of the Enz, Neil went on to establish Crowded House. The slower tempo of most songs were better received by the U.S. audience. Sadly, the Split Enz final album, "See Ya Round" was not even released in the U.S., though you can get it as an import. I recommend it and this DVD. A caution - the format noted above says NTSC, but mine is PAL, fortunately most newer DVD players should play it."